Two day PTSD Work shop inspired thoughts

It is a busy month and I will be attending several seminars, meetings etc…never forgetting to play. I enjoyed the two day work shop which also provided education hours which I need for my profession. Even if it was not required, I think it is important to always keep up. I spend time reading for fun but also make sure that I read for my work. I am always researching for what I am working with. I constantly search for support groups for clients and am always surprised when I cannot find what I am looking for. If you are living in Toronto and need a support group that you cannot find, please contact me so we can start one if it is required. In todays society especially in Toronto, there should never be a lack of support. If someone is struggling with “complicated” grief as an example, group therapy is not practical. What is required there is one to one therapy. I enjoyed this two day event because there were professionals, volunteers, and workers from various arenas. It offered me the opportunity to see how others practice and support those who use their services. I did pick up a few pointers and refreshed my memory in some areas. One thing I am beginning to see and it is probably due to all the media attention to PTSD is that more people think they can identify PTSD and more people think they have PTSD when it probably is not quite there. You can look up the symptoms of PTSD in the DSM. A Psychological or psychiatric assessment is probably best if you believe you have PTSD. I remember in my undergrad first psychology class, the professor warned us about being careful and aware not to diagnose ourselves as believing we had all the symptoms we were studying. He compared it to medical students who begin to see the symptoms of various medical conditions in themselves. So, keep that in mind. Also, well meaning friends may always try to diagnose you because they have read a book or article about this or that. This is called naive psychology. Another thing I am noticing is people misinterpreting PTSD in others when it is an awareness of their surroundings or reaction of their surrounding because of their training. Emergency personnel who have witnessed many accidents may drive more defensively as every one probably should but don’t. There is an awareness but not a crippling one. People who have worked with those attacked may be more aware of their surroundings because of their training and experience with survivors. What is best is to see a professional if you are not feeling joy, isolating yourself, feeling suicidal etc….Also, if you are not pleased with the person you are seeing, please continue with another, until you feel comfortable with someone. Ensure that they are professionals and registered with a regulated body, so you have a recourse if the experience is unethical. Today is Pet day, so if you have a pet, why not give him or her a big kiss, or a nice treat! Have a nice week, be kind to yourself and if your soul is not at peace, try to find yourself some peace, fun and re-energize. We need people; real ones so go out and socialize, even if it is baby steps. What do you think?