Articles
These handouts may be reproduced with proper credit to the author.
Articles
These articles were written as client handouts. You may click on each article title for the full article.
Joseph M Carver, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Do you know someone who quickly changes from sweet and concerned to angry and abusive?
Personality Disorders: The Controllers, Abusers, Manipulators and Users in Relationships
Who are these people that damage us emotionally, financially, socially, and even spiritually in relationships? Some are con artists like Victor Lustig (1825) who sold the Eiffel Tower not once, but twice. Some remind us of "Alex Forrest" in the movie "Fatal Attraction" (1987) who screams "I will not be ignored!" In mental health terms, they are Personality Disorders. This article describes the four Personality Disorders that create the most turmoil, damage, and emotional exhaustion in our lives.
Who are these people that damage us emotionally, financially, socially, and even spiritually in relationships? Some are con artists like Victor Lustig (1825) who sold the Eiffel Tower not once, but twice. Some remind us of "Alex Forrest" in the movie "Fatal Attraction" (1987) who screams "I will not be ignored!" In mental health terms, they are Personality Disorders. This article describes the four Personality Disorders that create the most turmoil, damage, and emotional exhaustion in our lives.
Spanish Language Version
Personality Disorders: The Controllers, Abusers, Manipulators, and Users in Relationships - Spanish Version
This brief introduction to the world of Personality Disorders has now been translated into Spanish, again thanks to the volunteer efforts of a reader. This translation meets the needs of many readers who have asked for a Spanish-language version of the article. Again...Thanks. Dr. Carver
During school years, they bully and manipulate others. As adults, they control and intimidate others in their environment.
Identifying Losers, Controllers and Abusers in Relationships
Over the years, this has been my most popular article. The article offers twenty signs of an abusive, controlling, and manipulative individual. The "Loser" may be a spouse, romantic partner, parent, sibling, or friend. The article helps not only identify these individuals, but offers suggestions on detaching from abusers/controller and reclaiming your life.
Over the years, this has been my most popular article. The article offers twenty signs of an abusive, controlling, and manipulative individual. The "Loser" may be a spouse, romantic partner, parent, sibling, or friend. The article helps not only identify these individuals, but offers suggestions on detaching from abusers/controller and reclaiming your life.
Spanish Language Version
Identifying Losers, Controllers, and Abusers in Relationships - Spanish Version
My most popular article has been translated. A Spanish-language version is now available. The translation was provided by a reader as part of her contribution on this important topic. Many thanks.... Dr. Carver
My most popular article has been translated. A Spanish-language version is now available. The translation was provided by a reader as part of her contribution on this important topic. Many thanks.... Dr. Carver
Identifying Losers, Abusers, and Controllers in Relationships - Portuguese Version
Ana Genshow of Georgetown University provided this Portuguese translation of my most popular article. We appreciate her efforts. This translation is provided in Word.
PDF Version - Click Here
Ana Genshow of Georgetown University provided this Portuguese translation of my most popular article. We appreciate her efforts. This translation is provided in Word.
PDF Version - Click Here
Hostages held in a bank robbery prompted the identification of Stockholm Syndrome.
Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser
As a follow-up article to Identifying Losers in Relationships, this article addresses the psychological connection that often develops between abusers/controllers and their victims. It offers practical advice for families and friends of victims who on the surface appear unwilling to leave their abusive or controlling relationships.
The term "Stockholm Syndrome" refers to the reaction of the hostages in a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. Held captive and threatened with death for five days, upon their release the hostages were supportive of their captors. Mental health professionals began to see a similar pattern in victims of spouse abuse, incest, cults and other high-threat hostage situations. I began to notice the features of Stockholm Syndrome in romantic, family, and other relationships.
As a follow-up article to Identifying Losers in Relationships, this article addresses the psychological connection that often develops between abusers/controllers and their victims. It offers practical advice for families and friends of victims who on the surface appear unwilling to leave their abusive or controlling relationships.
The term "Stockholm Syndrome" refers to the reaction of the hostages in a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. Held captive and threatened with death for five days, upon their release the hostages were supportive of their captors. Mental health professionals began to see a similar pattern in victims of spouse abuse, incest, cults and other high-threat hostage situations. I began to notice the features of Stockholm Syndrome in romantic, family, and other relationships.
Spanish Language Version
Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser - Spanish Version
Thanks to the efforts of Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional, this article is now available in Spanish.
Thanks to the efforts of Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional, this article is now available in Spanish.
Love and Stockholm Syndrome - Czech Version
The Czech translation of this article has been provided by Adela Vaskova. Her efforts are appreciated.
The Czech translation of this article has been provided by Adela Vaskova. Her efforts are appreciated.
Love and Stockholm Syndrome - Portuguese Version The Portuguese translation of this article is provided by Ana Genschow, a graduate of Georgetown University. Many thanks for your efforts to provide this article to other areas of the globe.
Emotional Memory Management
Emotional events - good or bad - create "emotional memories" in the brain. Good emotional memories prompt a smile while traumatic memories may produce a panic attack, grief, fear, or intense emotional reactions. This article addresses the way emotional memories are made, used in daily living, and create problems in our lives. This handout is often used in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and with victims of emotional or physical abuse/trauma.
Emotional events - good or bad - create "emotional memories" in the brain. Good emotional memories prompt a smile while traumatic memories may produce a panic attack, grief, fear, or intense emotional reactions. This article addresses the way emotional memories are made, used in daily living, and create problems in our lives. This handout is often used in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and with victims of emotional or physical abuse/trauma.
Spanish Language Version
Emotional Memory Management: Positive Control Over Your Memory - Spanish Version
Managing our memories - good and bad - can improve our relationships, mood, and life. This article contains techniques to manage trauma memories, including those that create Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is the Spanish Language translation of the original article.
Managing our memories - good and bad - can improve our relationships, mood, and life. This article contains techniques to manage trauma memories, including those that create Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is the Spanish Language translation of the original article.
The brain has over 50 neurotransmitters, several of which have been linked to mental health conditions.
The Chemical Imbalance in Mental Health Problems
Many conditions in mental health practice are considered the product of a "chemical imbalance". The client is then prescribed medications to correct the imbalance with little education regarding the causes, treatment, and symptoms. This handout is an effort to describe the current theory behind those psychiatric disorders known to be related to brain neurotransmitters.
Many conditions in mental health practice are considered the product of a "chemical imbalance". The client is then prescribed medications to correct the imbalance with little education regarding the causes, treatment, and symptoms. This handout is an effort to describe the current theory behind those psychiatric disorders known to be related to brain neurotransmitters.
Spanish Language Version
The Chemical Imbalance in Mental Health Problems - Spanish Version
This article describes the current treatment approach to mental health issues that are known to be associated with neurotransmitters in the brain. It describes the symptoms of these disorders and how both medications and psychotherapy are used to treat them. Our thanks again to Marianna of AbusoEmocional.com for the Spanish language translation.
In clinical depression, significant changes occur in the brain's chemistry that are more than feeling sad. In this type of depression, all body systems are involved and create multiple symptoms. (Credit: Mayo Clinic)
Understanding Depression
This was my first internet article. Originally written as a client handout, it addresses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. The article offers practical suggestions and information about depression treatment.
Spanish Language Version
Understanding Depression - Spanish Version
My first article has been translated into Spanish, again thanks to Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional. While thousands of websites offer the classic symptoms, this article addresses how depression feels, common side effects, and treatment concerns.
My first article has been translated into Spanish, again thanks to Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional. While thousands of websites offer the classic symptoms, this article addresses how depression feels, common side effects, and treatment concerns.
"Bad Nerves" describes the near-constant state of anxiety and apprehension common in this situation.
What Are "Bad Nerves"
Over the years, hundreds of people have described their mental health status with "I've got bad nerves". I decided to explore that description and offer this article as a set of circumstances typically found in "bad nerves". Practical treatment and recovery recommendations are also presented.
Over the years, hundreds of people have described their mental health status with "I've got bad nerves". I decided to explore that description and offer this article as a set of circumstances typically found in "bad nerves". Practical treatment and recovery recommendations are also presented.
Spanish Language Version
What Are "Bad Nerves"? - Spanish Version
Every culture and language has a term that describes a near-constant state of anxious apprehension, emotional exhaustion, and high stress level. This article, the Spanish language version, describes the components of the condition as well as offering treatment recommendations. I again thank Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional for the translation.
Every culture and language has a term that describes a near-constant state of anxious apprehension, emotional exhaustion, and high stress level. This article, the Spanish language version, describes the components of the condition as well as offering treatment recommendations. I again thank Mariana Barrancos of Abuso Emocional for the translation.
Photo credit to the Ohio Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol Approach to Parental Discipline
Psychologists tend to use their life experiences as an opportunity to examine life in general. Following a brief meeting with the Ohio Highway Patrol, I wrote this article as a model for parental discipline and correction. I also drive a little slower.
Psychologists tend to use their life experiences as an opportunity to examine life in general. Following a brief meeting with the Ohio Highway Patrol, I wrote this article as a model for parental discipline and correction. I also drive a little slower.
Spanish Language Version
The Highway Patrol Approach to Parental Discipline - Spanish Version
Inspired by a traffic stop in my community (years ago of course), this article describes an approach to parenting and discipline that can effectively lower manipulation, lying, and parental verbal abuse.
Inspired by a traffic stop in my community (years ago of course), this article describes an approach to parenting and discipline that can effectively lower manipulation, lying, and parental verbal abuse.
Photo credit to Calvin and Hobbs.
ADHD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
ADHD is often described in terms of brief clinical symptoms. This article describes how those symptoms are displayed in the home and community. Options for treatment are also explored.
ADHD is often described in terms of brief clinical symptoms. This article describes how those symptoms are displayed in the home and community. Options for treatment are also explored.