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?

Process of Science - Scientific Method (all sciences)

There is a process to science. There is an observation process From that there is a hypothesis which is testable There is a theory - predict new observations Predict new observations; replacing all theories with new theories. Consider: A professor in Economics observes the distribution of motor vehicles at a university There are Chevrolets, Toyotas and Buicks Study: pick an intersection eg. Keele and Finch. This represents Canada Society. There are factories, different types of housing, students etc….. Demographics: Canadian. From 2 to 3pm Tuesday afternoon - exact number of vehicles that pass through, make and year. Four teams observation, Scaffold at each corner; video on top - electrical switch between times. Then take the tapes - Four independent graders for each tape - compile list of make/year. Correlation 1.00 with each group. This would be a scientific study. There is no law of nature of cars passing. eg. a doctor’s appointment. It is a random process (not rush hour). So it must be 1. Methodological 2. Phenomena - obey natural law Structure of Scientific knowledge acting strange - symptoms - Schizophrenic F=m a (m - how much material mass in object - can measure). _a- acceleration - change in speed divide by change in time. eg. 0-100 in 4.5 seconds sports cars - acceleration. Eg. Throw ball - would travel forever except there is a force called gravity - ball up - earth pulls down - need force to start/end or will continue. Basic rule of Neuton. Empirical Approach ___________fire ____________water each will find its’ own sphere. Scale between us and earth - mass not identified - if on the moon weight is less. ^ speed - change ^ distance 60Km ———————————— change , ^ time Therefore, Newton defined motion of force - multiplication F= ma Physics m ^ distance ____________ ^ time _______________ ^time work = F (force) x D (distance) w __ = P (Power) T (time) Science is not only empirical. It obeys the natural law but also 3. Reductionistic Language - measurement qualities of physical world. No explanation in Piaget’s scheme. Biology /Ecosystem >various organisms chemistry / organ systems > cells physics / macromolecules > molecules /atoms > sub atomic particles Some state that psychologists cannot predict behavior, therefore, not science. Physicists cannot predict either if variables increase - KeV theory. Meteorologist wrong because zillions of interacting particles - too many things in the system. Behavior originates in the brain. eg. How drove to school. Behavior expressed as expressed information. Major behavior, not swimming, dancing - driving expressed information. Take clothes off at home. } Don’t take clothes off at home.} the expression of specific information. Therefore, easy to connect to biology. 4. Consistency Between Adjacent Levels of Science (required for science) eg- dietitian 5lbs + 25lbs + 3 a day. 15 lbs on 3rd day. - Not possible, can be no inconsistencies. This has to do with behavior in general. Start thinking what is the neurological disorder. Next Paradigms and Psychology as related to abnormal behavior and classifiction

Another trip to Montreal

I do love Montreal and I could easily live there if it was not for the problem of being hampered by speaking only English and Italian. I tried to use a computer there and it offered 6 languages and not one of English. I had used the computer before without any problems but there are still dissidents who have a dislike for English speaking and that is most unfortunate. The taxi cabber who picked me up at the station said he could not speak English, yet another told me every cab driver does speak English. It is so sad that a city that is so beautiful and vibrant still has those die hards to try to hold on to only one language. Other than that which is a big one, and the only obstacle for me, Montreal has a European flair that I just love. Everything around me was open 24 hours, including second cup. I even drank my coffee outside on the patio at 630 am - a first for me this spring. This time I went to Montreal to visit someone I care about who is in the hospital. I am surprised that in Montreal both men and women share a room. I teased my cousin about sharing the room with a woman. However, he did not share my humour. I would have some concerns about both sexes sharing a room but that may be my own biases. I want for myself separate bathrooms for men and women and if you have read my second book, you would know that. I wondered how receptive bookstores in Montreal would be of my books. I have sort of put the books on hold again as I re-assess my marketing skills (zilch). I did not have time to site see and missed Easter services due to my travelling times - that is a first, however I did tape the services. I know that is not sufficient. The food on Via train never fails to amaze me. It was awesome. I love our trains in Canada and would recommend it to everyone. Travel business class as it is really worth it. So, I am back and hope that you all did have a nice Easter. Today

Review for psychology exam in reference to drugs (tid bit)

Sedatives - (downers) slow activities of the body and reduce its responsiveness includes opiates - opium and its’ derivatives - morphine, heroine and codeine and the synthetic barbiturates and tranquilizers such as Secobarbital (Seconal). Dysfunctional hypothalamus does not seem likely as a factor in anorexia nervosa. The theory involving norepinephrine is most relevant to bi polar disorder and posits that a low level of norepinephrine leads to depression and a high level to mania. Low serotonin — depression

Happy Easter

I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Easter can be a difficult time for people who are alone and/or dealing with various problems. This is a time to reflect and to reach out to those in need within your circle and community. Take some time to discern this weekend and to find peace in your lives. I wish you a peaceful and caring Easter season.

Support Groups needed for men

More than once I have searched for support groups for men and I have had problems doing so. There are many religious groups who provide services for people. As a Specialist, Pastoral Counsellor, I recognize the relevance of religion and spirituality as part of a person's makeup. However, a person needs to be respected when religion is not part of the support wish. AA has been able to speak of a higher power allowing people to determine what that higher power is. But today while trying to find a support system, the only one I could find was scripture based, where scripture is read. What I was looking for is something without religion being imposed on someone who does not want it. Ironically, the person I was speaking to was trying to convince me of the importance of scripture in a support group. People's rights need to be respected. Their views of religion may not meet the expectation of others. There is so much good work that can be provided regardless of one's religious beliefs without imposing it on others. As a Specialist, Pastoral Counsellor, I have my own religion base. I would never dream of imposing my own views. I have studied the various religions and therefore can help a variety of people where understanding their religion is important to them. Therefore, the motto of you have to have to be from this religion to understand it, does not work for me. That tells me you have to be raped to understand men or women who have been raped, you have to lose loved ones to understand how grief works, you have to have trauma to understand PTSD etc.....I cannot imagine what one suffers with but I can have empathy. We all come from different lifestyles, cultures, religions, spirituality etc....We are who we are because of our experiences, good and/or bad. Who are we, when we decide what we should be imposing on someone else? As you know, I am always checking out Niagara Falls because I am considering moving there. I have no time limit. I do love my city and what it offers. Toronto will always be mine, regardless of where I live. I have been here just too long. I take her for granted because we have so much here, but I also see how much more we can have. While I was getting annoyed this morning because I could not find what I wanted, I thought of a job article in Niagara that wanted a Counsellor, Christian based who understood the importance of obedience. Really? What kind of counselling is that? I sometimes cringe of what is supposed to be helping people, is actually hurting them more, by imposition. This is why I believe that everything needs to be regulated when it comes to mental health. People do need to be protected. At a recent function I asked a woman if her daughter was attending. I made a mistake as this woman was not who I thought she was. Immediately, someone else said I should know better than to ask such a question. Really? I should know better? Then another woman started to gossip, which I deplore so I said what I thought of gossiping and then began to converse to a little ten year old girl, seated beside me. She was refreshing and a joy. She wants to be a lawyer. She wanted to know if I thought her uncle was nice looking or not, etc...... I blurted out that I was having the most intelligent conversation of the day. All from a ten year old little girl, who has no malice, no judgement. I do hope she does grow up and become a lawyer. I think that is wonderful to hear. So when it comes to helping people, yes spirituality and religion is important, becauses then we can encompass the whole person. However, it is not helpful to the client, patient, who does not want religion shoved down his or her throat. How much more effective, if one can remove themselves from their own perspectives, and if religious, remember that Christ led by example. Remember, that Jesus was always at odds with the religious leaders of his time. They were missing the point. Are we still missing the point? If anyone is looking for a particular support group and are having difficutly find one as one person told me today, get in touch with me to place your name on a list to start our own. If you are a registered therapist interested in starting groups where there is a need let me know. We can only make our city and resources improve. What do you think?

Internet Harassment

I think Canada is very protective when it comes to abuse. I am watching very carefully what is happening now regarding Apple being concerned about releasing information regarding a terrorist. One must question when does privacy become more important than protecting the safety of many? We live in a wonderful era, where technology and electronics advances weekly. How do we protect the innocent? Some people think they are safe when they send harrassing emails. Are they really? If we have learned anything, it is that anyone can be traced. If there is a will, there is a way. There are people who some may think are cowards because they hide behind anonymity. They may even send some email through different IP sites, let's say for example Indonesia via tmail 2007.21+ etc....to another place where there is a ctv in real time. It can be broken down even further. I love the internet as a tool to educate, be educated, advertise etc.....There are others who like to use the internet to be vulgar etc...because they think that they cannot be found. However, that is not the case. So, if you are being bothered by someone who thinks he/she cannot be found, it is up to you to make that decision in reporting the abuse when one does not stop or if it is causing you distress. My career is helping people. I do not tell people what to do. Each and every person has the right to make their own decisions. The internet is a wonderful tool to help others and of course it is also too often used to defraud, torment etc...However, there is always a way to find out who is at the other end. What do you think?