1.  Autonomy: Experiencing a sense of control and independence.

2. Competence: Feeling capable and effective in one's actions.

3. Identity: Having a clear sense of self and personal identity.

4. Freedom: Having the ability to make choices and express oneself. 

1. Safety: Feeling physically and emotionally secure.

2. Trust: Believing in the reliability and integrity of others.

3. Physical and Emotional Well-being: Maintaining overall health and emotional balance.

4. Fairness: Experiencing justice and equality.

1.  Esteem: Feeling valued and respected by oneself and others.

2. Belonging: Being part of a community or social group.

3. Purpose: Having goals and a sense of direction in life.

4. Attachment: Having meaningful and secure relationships.

Abuse refers to the intentional infliction of harm or mistreatment, often involving power dynamics, coercion, or exploitation, leading to physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual harm. Various types of abuse exist, encompassing different forms of harm and violation. Common types of abuse include:

• Physical Abuse: Involves the use of force that causes bodily harm, injury, or pain. This may include hitting, slapping, punching, or any form of physical violence.

• Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Encompasses behaviors that aim to control, manipulate, or degrade a person's emotional well-being. This can include constant criticism, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation.

• Sexual Abuse: Involves non-consensual sexual activities or coercion, including rape, molestation, or any unwanted sexual contact.

• Verbal Abuse: Consists of the use of harsh words, insults, threats, or other forms of verbal aggression that can cause emotional distress and harm.

• Financial or Economic Abuse: Involves controlling or exploiting someone financially, such as restricting access to money, stealing assets, or coercing financial decisions.

• Neglect: Refers to the failure to provide adequate care, support, or attention, leading to physical or emotional harm. This is often seen in situations where caregivers fail to meet a person's basic needs.

Grief is a natural and complex emotional response to loss, typically associated with the death of a loved one, but it can also be triggered by various other life changes such as the end of a relationship or a significant life transition. It involves a range of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors as individuals navigate the process of adapting to the new reality without the person or thing they have lost.

The concept of stages of grief was popularized by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book "On Death and Dying."

These stages, often referred to as the Kübler-Ross model, include:

• Denial: Initially, individuals may struggle to accept the reality of the loss, leading to a sense of disbelief or numbness.

• Anger: As the impact of the loss sinks in, feelings of frustration, resentment, and anger may arise. This stage can involve questioning why the loss occurred.

• Bargaining: People may attempt to negotiate or make deals in their minds, seeking ways to reverse or mitigate the loss. This stage often involves a search for meaning or ways to regain control.

• Depression: Intense sadness, despair, and a sense of emptiness characterize this stage. Individuals may experience feelings of helplessness and isolation.

• Acceptance: In this final stage, individuals come to terms with the reality of the loss. It doesn't mean complete happiness or forgetting the person or thing lost, but rather finding a way to live with the changed circumstances.

“Loneliness is cognitive discomfort or uneasiness from being or perceiving oneself to be alone, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA defines it as the emotional distress we feel when our inherent needs for intimacy and companionship are not met.” Everyday Health

Nearly 1 in 10 Dutch people frequently lonely in 2019 according to the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek.

Causes of loneliness are diverse and may include:

• Social Isolation: Physical separation from others, such as living alone or having limited social interactions, can contribute to feelings of loneliness.

• Lack of Close Relationships: A deficiency in meaningful, intimate connections or a lack of supportive friendships can lead to a sense of isolation.

• Transitions and Life Changes: Major life events such as relocation, divorce, or the loss of a loved one can disrupt social connections and contribute to loneliness.

• Social Anxiety: Difficulty in initiating or maintaining social interactions due to anxiety can lead to isolation and loneliness.

• Technology and Social Media: Paradoxically, excessive use of technology or social media may contribute to loneliness by replacing face-to-face interactions with virtual ones.

• Cultural or Societal Factors: Societal changes, cultural norms, or a lack of community support may contribute to feelings of disconnection.

•  Mental Health Issues: Conditions like depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem can exacerbate feelings of loneliness.

• Stigmatization: Experiencing discrimination, prejudice, or feeling marginalized can lead to social exclusion and loneliness.

• Lack of Shared Interests: Feeling disconnected from others due to a lack of common interests or activities can contribute to loneliness.

• Age-Related Factors: Older adults may face increased risk due to factors such as retirement, loss of friends, or physical limitations affecting social participation. 

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that typically manifest early in development and affect the growth and development of the nervous system. These disorders often result in challenges related to cognition, behavior, motor skills, and emotional regulation. Some common neurodevelopmental disorders include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Involves persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impact daily functioning.

• Intellectual Disability (ID): A condition characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, affecting cognitive and everyday skills.

• Specific Learning Disorder (SLD): Involves difficulties in acquiring and using academic skills, such as reading, writing, or mathematics.

• Communication Disorders: Including Speech Sound Disorder, Language Disorder, and others that impact speech and language development.

• Motor Disorders: Such as Developmental Coordination Disorder, characterized by difficulties in coordination and motor skills.

• Tourette Syndrome: Marked by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.

• Rett Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder primarily affecting girls, leading to loss of purposeful hand skills and motor functions.

• Cerebral palsy (CP): Is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormalities of muscle tone, movement and motor skills, and is attributed to injury to the developing brain (Bartels et al., 2020)

It's important to note that neurodevelopmental disorders are complex, and individuals may exhibit a range of symptoms and severity within each category. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for better outcomes in managing these disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders are a group of conditions characterized by the progressive degeneration and loss of structure or function of neurons in the brain or peripheral nervous system. These disorders typically worsen over time and often result in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and sometimes psychiatric symptoms. Some common neurodegenerative disorders include:

• Alzheimer's Disease (AD): A progressive brain disorder leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior.

• Parkinson's Disease (PD): Characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.

• Huntington's Disease (HD): A genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of nerve cells, leading to motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the loss of voluntary muscle control.

• Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): A rare disorder causing the degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain, resulting in problems with movement, balance, and autonomic function.

• Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): Involves progressive damage to the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language.

• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP): Affects movement and balance due to the deterioration of specific brain cells.

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): A rare, rapidly progressing disorder causing cognitive decline and neurological symptoms, often associated with abnormal proteins called prions.

These disorders share a common theme of ongoing and irreversible damage to the nervous system, resulting in a range of debilitating symptoms. Research in this field focuses on understanding the underlying causes and developing potential treatments to slow or halt the progression of these disorders.

Cognitive disorders refer to conditions characterized by impairment in cognitive functions, including memory, attention, language, and problem-solving. These disorders can significantly impact a person's ability to think, learn, and perform everyday activities. A dysregulated nervous system can contribute to cognitive disorders through various mechanisms, impacting the structure and function of the brain. Here are some ways in which a dysregulated nervous system may be linked to cognitive disorders:

• Neuroinflammation: Chronic inflammation in the nervous system, often as a result of various conditions, can contribute to cognitive impairment. Inflammatory processes may damage neurons, disrupt neural circuits, and interfere with the proper functioning of the brain.

• Neurotransmitter Imbalance: Dysregulation in the levels of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers in the brain, can affect cognitive function. Conditions like depression or anxiety, which involve neurotransmitter imbalances, may lead to cognitive symptoms.

• Hormonal Changes: Disruptions in hormonal balance, such as those occurring during menopause or in thyroid disorders, can impact cognitive function. Hormones play a role in maintaining the health and integrity of neural tissue.

• Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease involve the progressive degeneration of neurons, leading to cognitive impairment. Dysregulation in the nervous system plays a central role in the pathophysiology of these disorders.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI can result in a dysregulated nervous system due to physical damage to the brain. Cognitive deficits often occur depending on the severity and location of the injury.

• Psychological Stress: Chronic stress can dysregulate the stress response system, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Prolonged stress may have detrimental effects on brain structure and function, contributing to cognitive disorders.