Update - Books and readings - Word on the Street - Come visit me this Saturday

Selling my books at Fairbanks Park was great for the first hour. As the day progressed, so did the heat and so did the sales. I did sell all three of my books. My first book was bought from a very secure male. The second, a retired military man (who likes my writings) and the third from a neighbour who wanted it for a birthday gift for her husband. So sweet. I get approached by people wanting me to recite my book to them and then I get comments like, "nobody reads anymore," "your books are expensive," does the publisher know you are selling these books etc......God bless them all. This Saturday I will be at "Word on the Street" where I won't get the comment that people do not read anymore. Come and find me at booth 401b, "Hey Guy Buy Me". It is my favourite venue because there are so many authors and book lovers there. I look forward to it every year and unlike this past Saturday where I had to leave early because of the intense heat and beating sun, they supply a tent which offers me protection from the elements. I am presently reading a magazine distributed from the Registered Marriage and Family Therapy about opiods and suicide. It mentions that 1/3 of family therapists still have clients sign that they will not commit sucide while under their care. I was taught the same which I stopped asking clients to sign, because one asked me after many sessions and getting better, "Did you really think that signing that had me not kill myself?" I learn from my clients as well and if I sense that something is not working, I modify, change or stop using something ineffective. I have to be careful as well because sometimes I stop using one thing and then I notice that the client can really be helped and what may seem mundane to me is quite effective to others. I am therefore constantly learning but I no longer ask clients to sign that they will not kill themselves, because I do not want to insult them either. The article also suggests that they agree with me for other reasons. I am also reading a James Peterson novel for just plain relaxation. I also read a bit of Social Psychology Methods and Research not for fun but for refreashure. It is a bit dull and boring and I won it at one of the conferences. However, I have studied what is in its 600 plus pages so I read a bit when I am on a bus or at a particular place where I need to spend some time. I have read about 400 pages using this method. When I complete this book, I shall be happy. So, it will be a busy few months with lectures and fun and of course work. I do want to complete my psych notes and one booklet is almost complete. Refresher is always positive for me because it ingrains all into my brain cells so I may recall it in sessions. Have a wonderful week. I do hope you enjoy reading my blogs. Come and visit me at Word on The Street at the Harbour front. I will be close to the street this year and it looks like the East side. I am ok with the change. www.redigondapsychotherapy www.silvaredigonda.com I do have to give my books more attention.

Generalized anxiety disorder (psych notes continue-abnormal psychology)

Diagnostic Criteria - Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) , occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance). the person finds it difficult to control the worry. the anxiety and worry are associated with 3 (or more of the following six symptoms (with some at least six symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months: Note only one item is required in children. 1. restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge. 2. being easily fatigued. 3. difficulty in concentrating or mind going blank at times. 4. irritability 5. muscle tension 6. sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, a restless unsatisfying sleep). the focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of an AXIS 1 disorder eg. the anxiety or worry is not having a panic attack (as in panic disorder) being embarrassed in public (as in social phobia) being contaminated (as in obsessive compulsive disorder) being away from home or close relatives (as in separation anxiety, gaining weight as in anorexia nervosa) having multiple physical complaints (as in somatization disorder)or having a serious illness (as in hypochondriasis and the anxiety and worry do not occur exclusively during PTSD. the anxiety worry or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social occupational or other important areas of functioning. the disturbance is not due to the direct (dsm 1v) physiological effects of a substance (eg. a drug of abuse, a medical condition eg. hyperthyroidism and does not exclusively during a mood disorder, a psychotic disorder or et…(note to self: know differences between disorders). Next: Social phobia

Scams galore........... Protect yourself

I have mentioned it before but I think it is important for you to know that you need to protect yourself from scammers. Today I had more than I wanted to spend any time on, so I guess I have to start reporting it all to the authorities. Internet fraud is quite popular and many are devastated. Today I got an email from Italy who pretended to be Interac. A Lea Wright not the name on the email. That actually sounded Italian and I have it but cannot post it here, had sent me $714.00. I know of no Lea Wright. However, thank you for sending this because I was assured previously by a bank employee when I asked, that e transfers are safe. Now I know better. Of course I did not accept any money which is probably why another was sent so soon. So, I shall bring the emails and source information to the bank and let them deal with it. In the past and not for a while, I was getting emails about wanted therapy for people and was sent a money order for a check of a sizeable amount. Much more than the therapy would cost (I do not accept money in advance). It looked so real, that the bank employee thought it was legitimate. At my insistance he looked further into it and found some scam network out west. Today I also received an email stating that my password had been compromised and if I didn't send funds porn sites would be associated with my name and released to the media. I love Disney movies, thrillers etc....but porn is not on the list. I have nothing to hide and I cannot be bribed. I normally just block such emails but this is wasting too much time. So any further scams will be reported to the police authorities or government. Last week in the mail, I received two applications for attending a seminar at Harvard. I called Harvard. I will not let you know how I knew that was fraudulent. So, that was made aware to the Harvard police. Any further emails, mails etc.....shall be kept and forwarded to the appropriate authorities. It is very sad that so many innocent people lose all their savings. A neigbhour not too long ago asked me to listen to her voice mail. Another scam. The police will not call you to ask for money or they will arrest you. Hopefully, internat scammers will become easier to find and prosecute. Many can barely speak English and others have such a heavy accent that you know they are targeting a certain demographic. Others are pros. So, if anyone sends you money or tells you they want to give you their estate because there is no one else in their lives, don't fall for it. Unfortunately because I have a business I probably get more than average. However, nuisance is costing me time. So, let's all be cautious. No one is going to give you money for nothing. I have a secure site at www.silvaredigonda.com so if you want to give me money just because I am charming than just use my site and forget about cheques or moneyorders or etransfers. My site is secure. It is paypal. So, to the scammers, I know this is easy money for you but think of the havac you do to good people. I know working for a living won't let you live with the lifestyle you have earned by scamming. But try utilizing those skills for something good. For the rest of you. Please protect yourself. If you go on a dating site, don't let the person trick you into giving him/her money. Always be safe. You do not know who you are dealing with. So, if I have made one of you think about being more careful then I feel rewarded. What do you think? Never hesitate to share or ask a question.

News flash..............................

I normally begin my day with prayer, reflection and then I watch the news. I turn on CP 24, City Pulse 24 hour news. Reporters inform us of what is happening in the city and if that is not enough there is a scroll of news as well. When this scrolling began, I thought listening to one without reading the scrolls was enough. However, I have begun to be quite proficient at doing both, especially since I can reverse what I am seeing and speed forward at a seconds notice. This morning I stopped as I read “UN report says the number of people facing chronic food deprivation globally increased to 821 million in 2017.” I am stunned. The numbers are staggering. I pause to write that down and then I read, “Authorities in Vietnam’s capital are urging residents to stop eating dog meat because it hurts the city’s image.” What can I say to that? I continue to be bombarded with city news regarding TIFF and then the scroll continues to rapture me, “20,336 people were murdered in South Africa between April 2017 and March 2018”. I decide to take out my laptop and record this news for you and then I see the date on my lap top, Sep 11. Is there one of us who is not touched by that date? There was no mention of that on the news but I almost turned off the tv because I didn’t want to see anymore bad news. I wanted to return to my normal. My sense of safety and security which I realize is an illusion. Then the Amazing Race Canada Heroes popped up and the final three were interviewed. I focused on them, as the scroll continued with news I had already read. The finale is tonight. I watch the American and Canadian shows. Remember I tape all my shows and watch it at leisure. I continue to read the scrolls, “Apple growers in Nova Scotia say frost in the spring has destroyed nearly 50% of their crop.” I then turn off the news. I have heard enough for this morning. The phone rings, I am needed to help someone who is in a minor crises. It is a private client. I ponder. I love my life. I am right where I want to be at this stage of my life. After my second career, I had believed I saw it all and heard it all. I was wrong. Now at this young, old age of mine, I know better. I hear horrendous stories. That is my work. Living in a multi-cultural city, I have seen people from all religions and cultures. If I have missed one, I probably will get another opportunity. I have admired many who I have seen who have been able to overcome so many obstacles and challenges in their lives. When I joined my first career, my mother said it would be difficult for me because I would be forced to deal with people I didn’t like. She was right. She told me that right up to my twenties, I had decided who was in my circle of friends and associates. However, by being forced to work and socialize with people who I normally would avoid, I have become a better person and therapist. I know there are extreme views which are so engrained that to see beyond that view is impossible for some. However, I also know that exposure and education works. We live in a world where people are starving when they shouldn’t be. Politicians act as if they are God. Even the Western world is becoming threatened with elected officials challenging democracy. One thing I have learned is that freedom is very important. I cherish my freedom. Would I allow myself be tortured because of my religion by some low IQ tyrant? I don’t know. I would think that I was ok to say anything to survive, because deep in my soul, I am who I am and regardless of what I would say, I would never give up my religion within my soul. However, I know that until I am in a situation, however clear it is to what I think I will do, will or may not happen. People are always amazed by their own behaviours when dealing with an unforeseen crises. We live in a beautiful world where anything good is possible. Look at the marvel of nature. How often do I encourage my clients to spend time in nature or at least to utilize the brain by taking mini breaks of imagining nature as chaos is around them. I know that average intelligence is not all that high. I know that one cannot assess their own intelligence accurately. But I have a dream. In that dream, people take a stand against dictatorship. Priorities change from ridiculous wars on trade to actually uniting about feeding all people in the world and to begin sincerely caring for others. I believe that corporations now in charge will dwindle in their immense, as climate change becomes so obvious to the most resistant person. We live in a beautiful world and though we seem to keep repeating our mistakes throughout history, we have the technology to know so much. Now we just have to catch up emotionally and ethically to take care of each other and question…….What can I do to make a difference for others and myself? What can I do to make a difference for my planet? What can I do? My thoughts will be in New York today. It is my favourite city. What do you think?

Will be signing and selling my books this Saturday at Fairbanks Park

It is that time of the year again and this time I will be selling my books at two events in two weeks. You know about Word on the Street at the Harbour Front, but I will also be at Fairbanks Park, on Dufferin Street, South of Eglinton and the East side. There is free parking and a bakery just across the street. Rain or shine...............www.silvaredigonda.com I am always available for readings and selling my books.

My bad........no more reports from Federal retirees news

It has come to my knowledge that reports for Federal Retirees is not for public information. Therefore, I will not be reporting any further news. Since I have been reporting anything I thought was positive for the people, I now know better. My bad.

Hierarchy Approach for Psychoanalyst - abnormal psychology notes continues

Hierarchy Approach for Psychoanalyst I am going to take a break from the conference notes though I have more such as pet grief therapy and pregnancy loss grief. I want to return to my Abornormal psych notes from undergrad to eliminate some note books. I last wrote to you about fear. I will now continue with Hierarchy Approach for psychoanalyst. For the psychoanalyst everything is symbolic of the non-conscience, if it comes into the conscience awareness. A therapist tries to bring the conflict from the sub-conscience to conscience and to help the client deal with it. Eg. spider represents - whatever- find what it represents and then deal with it. Not simply to get rid of fear of spider - previously stopped at some level - when resolved go to the next level. Cognitive therapy is not trying to change your whole personality. It is trying to change the way you think about the topic. So in that case heirachy of what therapy is for. Most research finds that phobias psychoanalytical is a waste of time. Cognitive is oky but takes a fair amount of time. Phobia behaviour works well five or six times. Next: for abnormal : Generalized Anxiety Disorder