PTSD brochure from CAMH - For your info

DO YOU NEED MORE HELP? Contact a community organization like the Canadian Mental Health Association to learn more about support and resources in your area. Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness. Visit the CMHA website at www.cmha.ca today. Development of this brochure generously supported by © 2014 56315-05/14 www.cmha.ca POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER Frightening situations happen to everyone at some point. People can react in many different ways: they might feel nervous, have a hard time sleeping well, or go over the details of the situation in their mind. These thoughts or experiences are a normal reaction. They usually decrease over time and the people involved can go back to their daily lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder, on the other hand, lasts much longer and can seriously disrupt a person’s life. WHAT IS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness. It involves exposure to trauma involving death or the threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Something is traumatic when it is very frightening, overwhelming and causes a lot of distress. Trauma is often unexpected, and many people say that they felt powerless to stop or change the event. Traumatic events may include crimes, natural disasters, accidents, war or conflict, or other threats to life. It could be an event or situation that you experience yourself or something that happens to others, including loved ones. PTSD causes intrusive symptoms such as re- experiencing the traumatic event. Many people have vivid nightmares, flashbacks, or thoughts of the event that seem to come from nowhere. They often avoid things that remind them of the event—for example, someone who was hurt in a car crash might avoid driving. PTSD can make people feel very nervous or ‘on edge’ all the time. Many feel startled very easily, have a hard time concentrating, feel irritable, or have problems sleeping well. They may often feel like something terrible is about to happen, even when they are safe. Some people feel very numb and detached. They may feel like things around them aren’t real, feel disconnected from their body or thoughts, or have a hard time feeling emotions. People also experience a change in their thoughts and mood related to the traumatic event. For some people, alcohol or other drugs can be a way to cope with PTSD. WHO DOES IT AFFECT? While most people experience trauma at some point in their life, not all traumatic experiences lead to PTSD. We aren’t sure why trauma causes PTSD in some people but not others, but it’s likely linked to many different factors. This includes the length of time the trauma lasted, the number of other traumatic experiences in a person’s life, their reaction to the event, and the kind of support they received after the event. Some jobs or occupations put people in dangerous situations. Military personnel, first responders (police, firefighters, and paramedics), doctors, and nurses experience higher rates of PTSD than other professions. Trauma is not always a single event in the past. Some trauma, particularly repeated acts like abuse or trauma during wartime, can impact a person’s life far beyond the symptoms of PTSD. Some use other terms like ‘complex PTSD’ to describe these experiences. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT? Many people feel a lot of guilt or shame around PTSD because we’re often told that we should just get over difficult experiences. Others may feel embarrassed talking with others. Some people even feel like it’s somehow their own fault. Trauma is hurtful. If you experience problems in your life related to trauma, it’s important to take your feelings seriously and talk to a health care professional. Counselling A type of counselling called cognitive-behavioural therapy (or ‘CBT’) has been shown to be effective for PTSD. CBT teaches you how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours work together and how to deal with problems and stress. You can also learn skills like relaxation and techniques to bring you back to the present. You can learn and practice many skills in CBT on your own. Exposure therapy, which can help you talk about your experience and reduce avoidance, may also help. It may be included in CBT or used on its own. Medication Medication, such as antianxiety medication or antidepressant medication, may help with anxiety itself, as well as related problems like depression or sleep difficulties. Talk to your doctor if you’d like to learn more about medication options. Support groups Support groups can also help. They are a place to share your own experiences and learn from others, and help you connect with people who understand what you’re going through. There may also be support groups for loved ones affected by PTSD.

Conversion Therapy (Tid bit of info for you)

Conversion Therapy Conversion Therapy is outside the bounds of acceptable practice and that intentionally seeking change or direct a client’s sexual orientation and or gender identity is considered professional misconduct.

Meal for 1.00 for the poor (with dignity)

If I ever win the lottery, this is one thing that I would like to expand. I didn't even know about it until in grad school, when I dropped off a student who was working there. As I am cleaning up my files and catching up with paper war, I came across the card, called them and was happy to see that they still exist. Lunch or supper for a full meal and I believe dessert is included, costs $1.00. It is the Capuchin Outreach to the poor (my classmate, you guessed it is a Capuchin). It is the St Francis Table, at 1322 Queen Street West in Toronto. So, if you are hungry why not treat yourself for $1.00. It will be closed from 14 Aug to Sep 8, 2015. In Canada there should be no reason why anyone should ever be hungry. For that matter, no one should ever be hungry. Because there is hunger in the world, we are all responsible.

Pan Am Games, Closing Ceremonies - Excitement for Pit Bull

Canada played great even though the U.S. won more medals. I am not really a sports fan and had no intention of seeing the games but when I heard Pit Bull was coming I was all in, even if I had to tolerate Mr West. There were an enormous amount of signatures from Canadians not wanting Kanya West. I didn't even know who he was until they mentioned who he was married to and showed a clip of him interrupting the music award when North America's sweetheart, Taylor Swift's moment was rudely interrupted. If Canada was going to have any rapper, it should have been Drake. I immediately looked up the best tickets for Pit Bull and all I found was seats behind him for $200. That is the only reason I chose to watch it on the screen instead. I cannot see myself looking at the backside of anyone for too long. So, next time they start up a petition to get rid of a rapper, which I understand they could not because there was a contract, tell us who the singers are in advance. The media would like to share now that it is West that people want to see, but not me, no sireeee. I wanted to see Pit Bull! Oh, well. Another time. Until then I shall continue to enjoy his music and even better without the other, I would have to suffer through. Vulgarity can stay where it is, without the contributions of our tax money. What were you thinking Organizer? Even our Mayor didn't know who he was.

My ebook is now being sold on Kobo.com

I have been giving my books priority for a few days. My shopping cart on my own web site is updated, however, I could not use the cart from Canada Post for reasons that I will not even begin to write about. I will be continuing to use their services however to mail books out. Anyone having any problems please contact me personally. I never even thought of going on Facebook but was informed to do so by a contact my publisher connected me with. I have a list of what he suggested I do and I will do all he suggests. I listen to the pros. I had no idea so many people I know are on Facebook and previous colleagues have been buying my book. I will eventually get better at this. I have had positive feedback from previous colleagues and two have told me that they could not put the book down. Since I know that these two do not provide compliments for no reason, I was quite flattered. I know that not all will like the book, but I am sure that there will be a passionate feeling good or bad. If any of you do read my book, don't be afraid of hurting my feelings. Let me know what you think. Enjoy your weekend. Have some play time and if there is something bothering you, remember you have choices. What do you think? P.S. I am making myself available to Book Clubs etc....Contact me if you are interested. I do have fun with the books side of the house. Veterans, contact me if you want group counselling or want to start up a support group in Toronto.

Critiquing my books

One evening I was approached, while minding my own business and coming out to the front of my house to see, if I could breathe the air, with the humidity lingering. I was approached by an elderly man who has bought both my books. I had not seen him in quite a while. When he read my first book he was all gushy about it. My second book did not get that warm and fuzzy feeling. "So, what did you think about my book?" He avoids eye contact as he replies, "I didn't read it." I remember when he asked to buy my book, he immediately opened it somewhere in the middle and began to read, immediately commenting on the passage. "I have been too busy." It always kills me when people who are retired tell me how busy they are, that they cannot find the time to do things they want. "I am writing myself." "What are you writing about?" I ask. "About an older man in relationship with a younger woman." He replies. I respond, "Wishful thinking?" I ask. Denial comes across. "Why don't you write about your time in the hospital? Why don't you write about your patients. You should write about something you know." I respond, "I don't want to." "Why?" he asks. I respond, "Because I write for fun." I didn't add that when I write about truth and not imaginary characters I have to be mindful that I am not breeching confidentiality. I need to ensure that the privacy of people are protected, but I am not going to get into all this, because in honesty, I do write what I want and not what others want me to write. Hence, the benefits of a free country. He continues, "When I write, I write a sentence and then I rewrite it many times. I can do other things as well. I taught creative writing you know?" I wondered for the first time what kind of creative writing did he actually teach? He is not a professor. I thought of my own experience. My major in my undergraduate was psychology. At York University there was no fooling around. It was nothing to have an exam where over a hundred multiple questions were asked in a limited time. I remember a few students going into a panic and cry during the exam. They had to be calmed down before continuing. I always thought I must have failed. The questions were so close for answers and you really had to know your material. After the first exam there was a loss of half a class or less. Many students dropped psychology and went into sociology. It was tense but I loved psychology. "You are psychology" a Phd student who tutored me for the math portion once told me. "You must continue in psychology." However, did not want to do research and unlike the States there was no other option at the time. Sometimes, I toy about doing my Phd in psychology, but I pause and wonder if I want to pay tuition for the rest of my limited life. I am still paying. As I am talking to this elderly man who notices my nail polish and comments on my toe nails, I wonder why he does not want to admit that he has read something in my book, that has annoyed him. His remark about writing about something that I know amuses me. He has not spent one day in the military. What does he know? Projection? I love writing. I could never imagine re-writing a sentence over and over again to perfect it. That would be work and when I write, I am not working. I am having fun. My audience is not composed of scholars. My audience is every day people educated or not, smart or not, nice or not. Can I write using big words that no one really wants to look up? I remember one female who had read a copy of "Hey Guy Buy Me." She had borrowed the book from her brother. She hissed and spewed that I wrote as if I am talking. She didn't mean for me to take it as a compliment, and if she knew she actually pleased me, than she certainly would not have said it. When I applied for a break from psychology to take an elective in creative writing, the professor said that the class was full. He later attended my place of work and told one of my colleagues that he had room for one more student and I was accepted. I was extremely happy, the paperwork shortly followed and I really enjoyed his course. He could be very tough when he didn't like how someone wrote. I was fortunate. I also understood his points. People come from different places and are a product of everything they have been exposed to. Sometimes what they read will trigger something in them. My first book took two months to write. Obviously it is not a master piece. It has more errors than I would like, but it was my first book. My second book is my biography. It is history and I take you on a journey with me. You may hate it or you may like it but I need to tell my story as I see it. I am being true to a younger self as I thought at the time. I fired my first editor when she said that I had my facts wrong. Tell me what is wrong, not that it is wrong. I never knew what it was because that would have cost me more and by then, I felt I was being taken advantage of. So, if there is something wrong, I haven't been advised of that from any of my readers so far. So, I returned to my publisher who I like and trust. I do not have the patience to send my writings to different publishers etc.....I write for fun and if I break even as I hope to do with my second book and am sure that I will (only a matter of time) than I am ok. When I wrote my first book I did go to the bookstores and they wanted about 45% for each book. I cannot do that now. I cannot afford a distributer, an agent etc... Now I have an ebook and that opens another door. That brings in more revenue. I am using a different approach. I have not sent this book out for reviews; not yet. I know that this book will provoke emotions. I didn't expect it from my first book, but now I know better. People loved or hated "Hey Guy Buy Me". Women who let men in their lives read it made comments such as I was telling men what to do, who did I think I was etc...I even had a minor league stalker for a little while. I put a stop to that real quick. I learned much more from writing my first book and publishing it than I did in the two months of writing it. I am always learning and I can never say that nothing surprises me. I could never live long enough. With my first book, I received some emails from men thanking me for writing it and that it had helped them. All this from one little book. So I still have to work out my shopping cart and I will be working on my private practice and what I will suggest to you is find a passion whatever it is and do it for yourself. I have been fortunate to have had and still do have positive people in my life. I take some risks and accept challenges. I have healthy self esteem. I am not afraid to speak my mind and I have had more than a few, tell me that they aspire to be more like me, more assertive. What I suggest is to be more like yourself. Who are you? What is it you want in your life? Are people surrounding you motivating you do you feel constrained? I suggest you fly and soar and roar and be yourself. Find yourself that person or surround yourself with people who value you and love you and respect you. Do not isolate yourself because you have been injured. There are so many nice people out there. Go get your fishing rod and find some. What do you think? P.S. Forgive any errors please. I will not be vetting this 10x. or more.

25,000 fine and/or one year in jail to practice when you are not qualified - Good!

Over and over again I get emails from people who are not qualified or are not willing to co-operate with the requirements of practicing as a psychotherapist. They want financial support or other support to fight the government. Over and over again I say good thing. I fully support this. I think it is a fantastic idea. People who put up a sign and say they are psychotherpists and make a pile of money who are not qualified are crying because they are afraid of getting a 25,000 or spending a year in jail. They seem to know the penalities better than I - jail time too? If that is what it takes, so be it, Amen. The email also called drugs, "killer drugs." Tell that to the people who need it to stay alive. Tell that to people who need stabilize the chemicals in their brain. Perhaps with a tad of education you may learn about the benefits of drugs and guess where drugs come from? How about taking biology 101? I am so happy that the government has taken control that I can do happy dances all over my living room. This is so long over do. When I was asking one person before the college of Psychotherapy existed why she was calling herself a psychotherpist when she wasn't, she said that is what people understood to gravitate them to her. I would actually like to see everything regulated including fortune tellers who prey on innocence. Can there really be someone on every block who has the ensight to tell you your future for 5.00? How much does $5.00 increase to? So, I believe that the public needs protection because sometimes the public does not know and why should they? They sometimes believe that there is a system in place where in Canada they should feel comfortable to see someone who is qualified for what they profess to do. So, everytime I get an email to support people who are not qualified I will write up a little burst on my blog as a form of happy dance to encourage the public to ensure that who they are seeing is legitimate according to the law. So, please take me off these emails because I do not support pretenders. Earn it!!!!!!!