Apotheosis Psychotherapy

01/02/2025

Relationships Beyond Oxytocin: A Deeper Look

While oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone," it's essential to recognize that relationships involve a complex interplay of multiple hormones, psychological factors, and social influences.

_Key Factors in Nurturing Relationships_

1. _Support Network_: A loving family outside of the romantic relationship provides a foundation for emotional support and stability.
2. _Quality Time_: Engaging in shared activities and experiences fosters connection and attachment, releasing oxytocin and other neurotransmitters like dopamine, which enhances pleasure and reward.
3. _Adaptability_: Being flexible and adjusting to life's changes together strengthens resilience and promotes a sense of unity.

_The Hormonal Matrix_

Oxytocin is just one player in the hormonal orchestra that influences relationships. Other key hormones include:

- _Dopamine_: Often referred to as the "pleasure molecule," dopamine reinforces attachment and motivation.
- _Serotonin_: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, influencing emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction.
- _Vasopressin_: Involved in social recognition and bonding, vasopressin has been linked to long-term attachment and monogamy.

_Context Matters_

As psychologist Esther Perel notes, "Love is not just a feeling, but a capacity." Oxytocin levels can fluctuate depending on the situation, and may not always correlate directly with relationship satisfaction. Factors like stress, trust, and communication style all impact the hormonal landscape.

_The Dark Side of Oxytocin_

While oxytocin is often associated with positive attachment, excessive levels can lead to:

- _Overly codependent behaviors_: An unhealthy reliance on one's partner can stifle individual growth and autonomy.
- _Unhealthy attachment patterns_: Insecure attachment styles, such as anxious-preoccupied or fearful-avoidant, can be exacerbated by excessive oxytocin.

Moreover, some individuals can become addicted to the intense feelings of attachment and pleasure associated with oxytocin. This can lead to:

- _Serial relationship hopping_: Jumping from one partner to another in pursuit of the oxytocin "high," rather than investing in meaningful, long-term relationships.
- _Polyamory or promiscuity_: Engaging in multiple relationships or casual encounters to sustain the oxytocin rush, potentially compromising emotional intimacy and relationship depth.

Research supports this phenomenon:

- A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that individuals with anxious attachment styles were more likely to engage in serial relationships, seeking the intense emotional highs associated with oxytocin (1).
- Dr. Helen Fisher, anthropologist and relationship expert, notes that the brain's reward system, fueled by dopamine and oxytocin, can lead to addiction-like behaviors in pursuit of romantic love (2).

As Dr. Sue Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy, cautions, "Attachment is not just about feeling close, it's about feeling safe and secure." By recognizing the complex interplay of hormones, psychological factors, and social influences, we can foster deeper, more resilient relationships that promote emotional well-being and satisfaction.

References:

(1) Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, "Anxious attachment and serial relationships" (2015)

(2) Dr. Helen Fisher, "Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love" (2004)

17/11/2024

17/11/2024

Mercuralia in ancient Rome (Aventine) was the celebration of the temple of Mercury which was built in 495 BC. The actions carried out were accompanied by prayers and invocations. In Roman mythology Mercury represents thieves but he is also the god of trade.

Mercury is the prototypical magician and trickster. This archetype is classically associated with writing, speech, learning, fleetness of thought, and intellect. Mercury is thus the patron of businessmen, doctors, thieves, mathematicians, gamblers, confidence tricksters, academics, writers, scientists, and magicians.
When rites of an overtly Mercurial nature are performed it is usually as a prelude to divination of some kind. Yet since the root quality of the archetype is intellect in the sense of fleetness of thought rather than wisdom, whatever that may be, a truly protean mercurial invocation should have as its primary objective "increase of intelligence".

08/10/2024

Pondering and meditating on the bay, grounding through nature!

17/09/2024

_Cosmic Insight for Today_

"Embracing the I-Thou Moment: Harmony and Wholeness

Today's celestial vibrations invite us to cultivate sacred relationships, embracing the divine in ourselves and others:

Venus trine Neptune: Inspiring creativity, spiritual connection, and I-Thou encounters (Anima/Animus balance)
Sun in Virgo: Grounding our instincts with practicality, nurturing authentic presence (Shadow integration)

_Transpersonal Reflection_

As we journey toward individuation, today's alignment encourages us to:

Experience the world through the lens of I-Thou, recognizing the inherent sacredness in all relationships
Integrate repressed aspects, embracing our wholeness and the unity of our psyche
Cultivate self-awareness, recognizing the interplay between ego and shadow

_Jungian Insight_

"The integration of the psyche is not just a process of becoming conscious of unconscious contents, but also of experiencing the transcendent function of the unconscious." - Carl Jung, CW 8

_Buber's Wisdom_

"Love is not something one 'has' but something one 'is"... The I-Thou relationship is the source of all genuine understanding." - Martin Buber

_Affirmation_

"I embody the harmony of opposites, embracing my wholeness and the unity of my psyche, and recognizing the sacred in every encounter."

Wishing you a day of profound insight, sacred connections, and inner balance.

08/07/2024

Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, developed the concept of archetypes. These universal symbols or patterns reside in the collective unconscious of all humans, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Let’s explore how Jungian archetypes relate to Internal Family Systems (IFS):

Archetypes in Jungian Theory:

Jung believed that archetypes were innate and inherited, representing fundamental blueprints of the human psyche. They manifest in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and everyday narratives, offering insights into our collective human experience.

Key archetypes include the Hero, Sage, Shadow, and Self. The Self, in particular, beckons individuals toward wholeness and integration.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS, developed by Richard Schwartz, focuses on the internal “parts” within an individual. These parts represent different aspects of the psyche, akin to archetypes.

While IFS doesn’t directly align with Jung’s archetypes, both explore inner dynamics. IFS identifies parts like the Exiles (similar to wounded archetypes) and Managers (similar to protective archetypes).

IFS aims for self-awareness, healing, and integration by addressing these internal parts.

In summary, while Jungian archetypes and IFS have distinct origins, they share common ground in understanding the complexity of human consciousness and the interplay of inner forces. Integrating these perspectives can enhance self-awareness and personal growth.

08/07/2024

EMDR - Trauma Therapy

Learn about how EMDR therapy works, what it is like, and how widely it is recognized. EMDR therapists discuss how EMDR therapy works and the feedback they re...