How to Overcome Negative Self-Talk

When someone talks about you, they are referring to your personality or character traits. Personality traits are learned behavior patterns, and they can change over time.

Negative self-talk can lead to depression, anxiety and even chronic illness. Luckily, you can learn to control negative thoughts by changing the way you talk to yourself.

You can use the following strategies to overcome negative self-talk:

Redirect your thoughts. Practice clearing your mind through meditation or mindfulness practices, such as sitting still for a short period of time each day, paying attention to your breath, and setting intentions. You can also try reading biographies or articles about people who have overcome adversity or faced challenges in life. Seeing how others have survived or succeeded can give you a new perspective on your own challenges.

Stop the cycle of negative self-talk by replacing it with positive thoughts. Say positive affirmations out loud or write them down to yourself. Addressing yourself in the second or third person — “you are an amazing writer” or “you’re so smart” — is another powerful strategy that can help retrain your brain to think positively about yourself.

Identify what makes you unique. If you’re creative, passionate and driven, you may want to consider pursuing a career in the arts or starting your own business. Be specific about your qualities when interviewing for a job by listing how you’ve used these characteristics to excel in previous roles.

Be a lifetime learner. Employers value people who are committed to growth and learning and who are flexible and resourceful in changing circumstances. When you interview, you can highlight your ability to learn quickly and adapt by describing how you’ve improved your work performance as well as how you’ve worked with a wide variety of teams and clients.

If you have a loved one who has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), you may feel frustrated that they can’t seem to change. But remember that it’s not your fault; it’s the person with NPD’s choice whether they seek treatment or continue to act negatively towards you and other people.

You can’t change the way someone with NPD behaves, but you can encourage them to seek treatment. You can also support them by staying calm, and not taking their negativity personally.

If you’re dealing with a family member who has NPD, remember that they can only change if they want to. NPD is a treatable condition, but the person with the disorder must be willing to seek treatment and follow a plan for improvement. If they’re not willing to do so, it’s important that you get professional help for yourself and your loved ones. You can find a mental health provider in your area through the National Institutes of Health’s website, or you can contact your healthcare team for a referral. If you aren’t covered by insurance, you can still find help through community mental health programs and private providers. This content is developed and maintained by Healthdirect.

How to Diagnose Fibromyalgia

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There is no single laboratory test to prove ME. It can be a difficult illness to diagnose and many people who have ME struggle for years before getting an accurate diagnosis. This is partly because ME can be mistaken for other diseases or simply ignored by health care providers. In fact, studies show that ME is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases. More than 90 percent of people with ME are not diagnosed or are wrongly told they don’t have the disease at all.

A diagnosis of ME is based on symptoms and a thorough medical history. It is important to tell your doctor about any significant life changes you have had, as they may affect your condition. It is also helpful to make a list of all your symptoms, including those that are most troublesome.

In addition to extreme fatigue, ME/CFS can cause many other symptoms, such as unrefreshing sleep, pain in the joints and muscles, dizziness, periods of bloating or constipation, difficulty regulating body temperature, and difficulty concentrating. Some people have ME with a combination of other conditions, known as comorbidities, such as fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (increased heart rate when standing up) and gastroparesis or irritable bowel syndrome (bloating and abdominal pain).

If you are living with ME, it is important to see a health care professional who understands your symptoms and how they interact with each other. A health care provider can help you manage your symptoms and develop a plan to get you back into the workplace or school. They can also help you apply for disability and obtain assistive devices, such as wheelchairs. A health care provider can also help you develop coping skills, such as using the pacing strategy, that can improve your quality of life.

You can find a health care provider who specializes in ME by looking in your local phone book or searching online. Health care professionals can help you learn about ME, determine if you have the disease and recommend treatments to relieve your symptoms. They can also provide information on how to work with a therapist, which can be very helpful for adults and children who have ME.

There is no cure for ME. However, you can take steps to manage your symptoms and stay as active as possible. It’s important to have a support network, whether it is family and friends or an ME/CFS support group. You can also use a health coach or counselor to help you build coping skills and address challenges you are facing, such as managing your illness at work or home. These health care professionals can also connect you with resources for families, individuals and communities. They can help you apply for disability, obtain an accessible home and vehicle and access other community services. In addition, they can help you find financial support and apply for benefits. They can also refer you to a specialized health care provider if needed.

How to Recognize and Cultivate the Right Kind of Love in Our Lives

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Love is a universal feeling that’s often hard to define. It can vary from person to person and can even change over time. While many different ideas about what love means exist, psychologists have generally agreed on some broad definitions for the emotion.

Some researchers believe that love is a complex, largely uncontrollable human emotion, while others think that love is just a chemical response. Still others argue that love is not an emotion at all, but rather a combination of various emotions and behaviors.

Regardless of how you view the nature of love, everyone agrees that it’s a powerful force that can motivate people to act in unexpected ways. Love can make us forgive our partner’s flaws, work diligently on a creative project, or even risk our lives for the sake of someone we love. The question is, how can we recognize and cultivate the right kind of love in our lives?

When a person is in love with another, they usually feel a sense of safety and belonging. They may also feel supported and understood, as if they can be their authentic selves without fear of judgment or criticism. Feelings of love can also reduce stress levels and improve mental health, according to research.

A person in love will also likely prioritize the well-being of their partner, which can lead to things like going on dates or spending extra time together. They will also be likely to communicate openly and frequently, which can help them build trust. Additionally, they will likely try to understand and support their partner’s goals and aspirations.

Although most people think of romantic love when they think of the word, there are other types of love as well. For example, a person can be in love with their career or hobbies. They can also be in love with their family, pets, or other close friends. This type of love may not always feel as good as falling in love with someone, but it can be just as important.

To fall in love, a person must be attracted to someone and be willing to commit to the relationship. They must also be able to overcome their insecurities and fears, and they should be able to tolerate some hardships as they grow together. They should also be able to forgive each other’s shortcomings and respect each other’s differences.

Depending on their needs, people in love will speak one of several languages. For example, those who prefer words of affirmation will appreciate compliments, encouragement, and reminders of how great they are. They will also appreciate quality time, which can include long and meaningful conversations and intimate activities such as listening to music or holding hands. Similarly, those who prefer touch will appreciate hugs, cuddling, and intimate kisses. They will also appreciate receiving gifts and other gestures that show how much they are loved. Lastly, they will want to be shown that their feelings are reciprocated. To do so, they will need to practice active listening and set aside time to spend together.

What Is a Need?

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A need is a requirement for something. For example, you need food to survive, and you need water to stay hydrated. You also need air to breathe, and you need shelter to protect yourself from the elements.

There are many different definitions of need, but most psychologists agree that needs are essential for survival and well-being. Some of the most common needs include food, water, sleep, and safety. People who do not meet these basic needs are likely to suffer from physical and psychological problems.

According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, our most basic physiological and safety needs must be met before we can move on to more psychological or social needs like belonging and self-esteem. He believed that people spend most of their time and energy attempting to satisfy these lower order needs before the higher level needs like love and self-actualization can be fulfilled.

The difference between a need and a want can sometimes be confusing. For example, you need water to survive but you want a cold drink. While needs are static (they do not change over time), wants can fluctuate. You need to eat, but you may not necessarily want a cheeseburger.

You should strive to fulfill your needs before you meet your wants. However, if you have limited resources, this might be impossible. To determine your needs, you can create a list of experiences that make you happy and then select the top four personal needs from this list. This will help you prioritize your life and make better decisions.

Another way to understand needs is through the lens of a hierarchy of human motivation. The hierarchy of human needs, proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943, outlines the stages of human motivation from lower order, deficiency needs such as food and water through to higher order, esteem and self-actualization needs.

The word need is used more often than the synonym necessity. The reason is that need evokes feelings of urgency and impetus, while necessity is more formal and impersonal. The word necessity is pronounced with an accent over the first syllable, while need is pronounced with a normal stress pattern. Both words are considered informal by some, but the distinction is important when choosing the right one for a particular context. For example, if you’re writing an article about a government’s need to economize, use the term “need” rather than the more formal “necessity.” The latter may seem too intimidating or imposing. The former, on the other hand, is a more accessible and understandable term for the average person.

Using Power Words When Answering the Question “Who Are You?”

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You may think that you are stuck with your personality, but in reality you have more control over the “persona” you show to the world than you might think. The Latin term persona means “mask,” and your mask can be changed to reflect a more positive version of yourself. Choosing the right words to describe yourself can help you to do just that. This is especially true when interviewers ask you to tell them more about yourself.

When answering this question, try to avoid using adjectives that are too general or common. These may come across as clichéd and not genuine enough to make an impact. Instead, use power words that fit your unique qualities and those that also aptly describe the role you are interviewing for.

Examples of powerful words include:

Learner, improvement-focused, resilient, resourceful

Employers want to hire candidates who are committed to learning and developing themselves over time. They are interested in hiring people who will grow and improve their organizations as well as their careers. During your interviews, you should focus on how you have demonstrated this trait in the past. To do so, give specific examples such as how you were able to adapt to changing conditions or how you have shown resilience in difficult situations. This will demonstrate that you are not only dedicated to your current role, but also invested in the future of the company. This is what will impress interviewers. They will be confident that you will be a strong asset to their organization in the future. Also, it shows that you are a self-starter and have the motivation to achieve success. This is something that all organizations are looking for.

What Are the Symptoms of ME/CFS?

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ME/CFS has a profound impact on the lives of patients and their families. The symptoms can be so disabling that people are unable to work, and they often have a much lower health-related quality of life than those with other chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart failure. Currently there is no cure for ME/CFS, but treatments can improve symptoms and increase functioning. The goal is to find a cause and develop a treatment.

ME is not well understood by medical professionals. This is partly because the symptoms are not easily measurable and the disease can be misdiagnosed as other conditions. Many people with ME also have a range of co-existing health problems such as depression, anxiety, sore joints, and tender lymph nodes in the neck and armpits. These issues may affect how well they manage their ME/CFS.

People with ME may be able to get help from their general practitioner or a family doctor. However, most adults with ME are referred to ME/CFS specialist teams in order to be diagnosed. These teams should have a range of healthcare professionals with expertise in assessing, diagnosing and treating ME/CFS. This might include doctors specialising in rheumatology, rehabilitation medicine, endocrinology, infectious diseases, neurology and general practice, and clinical or counselling psychologists with training and experience in ME/CFS.

Once a diagnosis is made, ME/CFS specialist teams will develop a care and support plan. They will recommend specific treatments and/or interventions to improve the patient’s ability to function, reduce pain levels, and ease fatigue.

The symptoms of ME/CFS can be very different for each person, but there are some common ones such as:

Symptoms can be triggered by physical activity, cognitive overexertion, or sensory overload. They tend to flare up a few hours to a few days after exertion. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Many people with ME/CFS can’t go to work or school and need help from family, friends or carers. About 25% of people with ME are bedbound or housebound. People with ME have lower health-related quality of life scores than those with other conditions such as heart disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no known cause for ME/CFS, although it appears that there are connections between genetic, central nervous system, and immune factors that contribute to the condition. Research is ongoing to better understand these connections so that diagnostic tools and effective treatments can be developed as quickly as possible. Solve ME/CFS is committed to accelerating the discovery of safe and effective treatments by promoting open, collaborative research at ME/CFS Collaborative Research Centers worldwide.

The Different Types of Love

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Love is one of the most complex emotions. It can be euphoric, terrifying, sexy, and self-sacrificing all at the same time. It may also be temporary or permanent, and it can vary from person to person or culture to culture.

Many people believe that the feelings of love are influenced by biology and culture, while others say it’s a basic human emotion like any other. The belief that it is a biological phenomenon is supported by research showing that our brains respond differently when we are in love, compared to when we are not.

The concept of love has been explored throughout history in religion, philosophy, and science. Today, the fields of psychology and anthropology continue to explore the nature and effects of love. While most psychologists agree that there are a limited number of types of love, there are still debates about whether it’s a choice or an instinct, and whether it is permanent or fleeting.

In the early stages of falling in love, the emotion of euphoria is caused by the release of a jumble of chemicals that include dopamine (pleasure), norepinephrine (alertness), and adrenaline. These chemicals are why your cheeks feel flushed and your palms get sweaty when you meet someone for the first time who you’re attracted to. Once you reach the stage of attachment, the release of these chemicals is replaced by oxytocin, which produces the feeling of closeness that leads to making long-term plans and commitments.

This type of love is characterized by feelings of intimacy, companionship, and trust. It’s sometimes referred to as platonic love, and it’s the kind of love that exists between friends and family members. It’s also the kind of love that we feel for pets, creative projects, and favorite sports teams.

In contrast, passionate love is characterized by feelings of intense attraction and desire. It’s often accompanied by idealization of the person you love, and it can lead to jealousy and insecurity. It’s also the kind of love you may experience if you’re in a romantic relationship or suffer from a psychological disorder called erotomania.

While it’s possible to fall in and out of these different kinds of love, some researchers suggest that most romantic relationships contain both of these love styles. A third love style, referred to as agape, is defined by selfless acts of kindness and service.

Writing About Love

The way you write about love can have a major impact on how your readers feel about it. Avoid writing in a sappy, unrealistic way. Instead of focusing on every gut-wrenching sensation, let your characters show their true colors and bring your audience into the emotional ride.

You can also use your writing to help your readers understand how to navigate the ups and downs of loving someone else. For example, you could describe how your character’s flaws drive them crazy while they are infatuated with each other and then demonstrate how they work through those issues to maintain their relationship.

Understanding the Concept of Need

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The concept of need is central to the fields of philosophy, biology, psychology, sociology, economics and politics. It is also a common topic for discussion in popular culture and media. In the most basic sense, a need is a deficiency that can result in an adverse outcome. For example, a person who does not have food or shelter is unable to function or survive. In contrast, a want is a desire or wish that does not have the potential to cause an adverse consequence. The distinction between needs and wants is central to the debate about societal priorities and ethical choices.

The word need can be used as a noun or a verb. A noun meaning “something essential for survival, well-being or achieving a goal” is more commonly used, and it suggests an imperative tone: I need help. The verb need can be used in the same way, but it is generally more euphemistic: I want to help you.

A widely discussed academic theory is that people have a hierarchy of psychological needs. According to Abraham Maslow’s 1943 theory, people must satisfy lower order needs such as hunger, water and safety before higher order needs such as self-esteem and self-actualization can be met. Many people spend the majority of their time attempting to meet their lower order needs and often become frustrated when they are not satisfied.

Some philosophers have criticized Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, arguing that it is not a valid model for understanding human motivations in specific contexts. They have advocated a more holistic view of human needs, based on the idea that individuals are capable of identifying their own needs if they have the proper internal assets. These internal assets are a combination of skills, mental health and physical strength.

In this approach, human needs are determined by rational identification, consideration of actual experiences in people’s everyday lives, and democratic decision-making. The authors point out that human needs cannot be imposed from outside because they vary across time and context.

Individuals can identify their own personal needs by evaluating their desires and priorities. To do this, they can write down their life goals and experiences. Then they can analyze the results to determine what their personal needs are. Once they have identified their personal needs, they can create and execute a plan to fulfill those needs. Having a clear picture of one’s personal needs can allow them to make more informed and ethical choices. It can also help them to avoid making harmful decisions that could negatively affect their well-being or the well-being of others. For instance, someone who is trying to lose weight might decide not to eat unhealthy foods that are high in fat and calories.

How to Identify Your Unique Qualities

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You’re one-of-a-kind—and that’s a good thing! Whether you’re the life of every party, always up for an adventure or passionate about helping others, you have something special that no one else in the world has. That’s your “spark.” And knowing it gives you the confidence to embrace your unique qualities and use them to stand out from the crowd.

The reason interviewers ask what makes you unique is to understand your personality, work style and motivations and see if they align with the job’s requirements. The question also helps interviewers evaluate whether you’ll be a cultural fit and can work well with others on their team.

There are a few ways to identify what sets you apart from other candidates, including self-reflection and asking for input from friends and family. However, the most important step is to examine your skills, experiences and commendable traits and find a few that are truly unique to you.

For example, if you’re known for being persistent, don’t just say, “I’m persistent.” Instead, explain how you have applied your persistence to achieve specific results, such as exceeding sales goals or getting a promotion. This way, the interviewer can visualize you in the role and imagine you already succeeding in it.

Another way to identify your unique qualities is to look at the skills in the job description and think about how you’re qualified for them. For example, if the employer wants someone who’s an effective communicator, talk about how you use your communication skills to inspire others to take action and motivate teams.

Lastly, you can also turn to your past performance evaluations and see how you’ve stood out in different roles. For example, have you received praise for being a great listener or your ability to create strong relationships with people? If so, these are skills that may make you a valuable addition to the company’s team.

It’s also important to remember that not all unique qualities are necessarily positive or productive, and some may be things that you don’t control. For instance, if you have a habit of over-analyzing situations and beating yourself up when they don’t go exactly the way you planned, it could be a negative quality that you need to work on.

The point is to recognize what’s special about you and use it to your advantage. When you know what your spark is, you can be unstoppable! Rebecca Jane Stokes is a freelance writer and former senior editor of pop culture at Newsweek and SheKnows. She has a passion for lifestyle, geek news and true crime topics. Her bylines have appeared on Fatherly, Bustle, SheKnows and Jezebel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

How to Define Yourself

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A lot of people struggle with finding one word to describe themselves. This is because they want to give a very unique answer that describes their personality and skills. While this is a good idea, it can be difficult to come up with an answer. To help with this, you can list all the qualities that you associate yourself with and then try to find a common theme amongst them.

Another way to describe yourself is by focusing on the characteristics that your family and friends see in you. This is a great way to get a more realistic picture of yourself and what other people think of you. It can also be helpful when it comes to preparing for interviews because you can use the feedback from your friends and family to determine how you want to be perceived by others.

Many people with ME/CFS have a comorbid diagnosis, with fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS, increased heart rate upon standing up) and gastroparesis/irritable bowel syndrome being most common. Other diseases that can be found in ME patients include scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, eosinophilic gastroenteritis and mast cell disorders.

Despite the fact that ME is a very real and serious condition, it is often misunderstood, under-reported and neglected by the medical community. A recent survey found that 90% of ME/CFS sufferers do not have a correct diagnosis and are either misdiagnosed or told they are not sick at all. People with ME are often unable to work and most can be housebound or bedbound on their worst days.

In some cases, ME can be triggered by infection and in other cases it develops spontaneously without any apparent cause. The majority of people with ME/CFS are women, and it strikes all ages, races and socioeconomic groups. However, it is more common in children and adolescents, with some studies showing a higher incidence in certain minority groups.

There is no specific laboratory test for ME, and diagnosis is based on history of debilitating fatigue that cannot be explained by other conditions, not caused by mental or physical exertion and is significantly improved by rest. People with ME/CFS are often misdiagnosed, and this is partly because other conditions that produce similar symptoms can be mistaken for ME/CFS, such as a psychiatric disorder or depression.

Currently, only 10% of people with ME/CFS have received a diagnosis, and the majority are not receiving any care or treatment. Quality of life scores for ME/CFS are worse than for HIV, cancer or heart disease, and this is largely because ME patients are stigmatised and mistreated by healthcare professionals who do not understand the disease. It is important to educate people about the illness so that they can receive the care they deserve. This can be done by raising awareness, encouraging healthcare professionals to attend ME/CFS training courses and by highlighting good practice. The campaigning organisation #MEAction is working to change this. They aim to grow and mobilise a global ME/CFS community to be strong advocates for health equality and to accelerate research into safe treatments.