Narrative - Dr Allan Peterkin, another seminar delight

Notes: The speaker was Dr Allan Peterkin, McGill, Psychiatry, Mental Health, He has written 14 books for adults and children. Journal of Medicine, Narrative group for HIV for 14 years. Dr Peterkin reported that medical students inquire about spiritual care. What Dr Perkin does is he gets people to write their stories. It helps them for us to be narratively cognitive. His own father is a physician and his mom is a writer. He is both. His dad informed him he shouldn’t be a physician but a poet. Dr Peterkin explained how stories shape our world and the understanding of our identities. What are the elements of the stories? Being open to narrative. There is heart failure but how does a patient see it? Narrative Humility - we hear a story and we think we hear what it means, but it may not. In medical school you have a literary companion - short story perhaps three pages/4 year training. Invites them to experience the patient. They stretch our world view. Enter a world extremely different from our own. Allows us to stretch our world view and allows us to experience the unfamiliar. Illness narratives allow us to reflect on suffering. Stories engage right and left brain (analysis and creative). Narrative medicine - “I came to understand that what my patients paid me to do was to listen expertly and attentively to extraordinary complicated narratives.” Dr Rita Charon - In the U.S.A., the narrative is disappearing. Questions to patients are designed for more tests. Dr Rita Charon states, “‘ The ability to acknowledge, absorb, interpret and act on stories and plights of others” can be accomplished by reading of literature and or reflection writing. Narrative competence provides for self-reflection - develops professionalism - strengthens the provider- patient/client relationship. As one becomes narrative competence your work with your patient/client deepens. Stories - logic and feelings. We get close to what is really happening. Critical reflection on action and being. Self - assessment of values, attitudes, beliefs, biases, blind spots, reactions to experiences, learning needs. People with tatoos are used to test for STD etc…..Howard Brody, “….patients come to physicians with broken stories as much as broken bones……..There are three types of medical stories. Restitution: progress from disease and to treatment, to restoration of health. Most happy ending. Heroism filled with tests. The “wrong and right”. Some belong to a culture where they should not complain. Let them. Second is Quest: Illness becomes a condition from which something can be learned, something transformative, even healing is not possible (their choice). Third is Chaos: no order or answers in a whirlpool of suffering. Dr Peterkin hears all three in their stories. Patients can be left with a sense of bitterness, impotence, often misunderstood, wrong tests. The system itself often causes chaos. You may ask, “What would you like me to know?” Do not interrupt. Cry of the Wild - me. Dr Peterkin indicates that of course you are not going to tell the client/patient your own pain but to be aware of it. Our job is to be witness, to be in the now. A big challenge in training someone is how to sit with someone. In medical health one is trained to be hard on ourselves, particular with medical students, pretending they don’t need to go to the bathroom or to eat. Regarding patients look for the mystery in the patient and not only the problem. A white light comes into the room and the cancer is gone. “If you can’t name what you are doing, than what are you doing?” - one of his supervisors at M’Gill. Code Orange - mass casualty. Experience of the van attack at Yonge and Sheppard. “Organized chaos.” If you are involved in any hospital, expect the unexpected. Give your expertise to the people who may need it. I will not discuss anything else pertaining to this conference because personal experiences were being shared and policies that I think are Confidential. There were talks about the Bronco incident and the Danforth incident. Obviously once this happens in Canada we recognize a new awakening which previously was associated only with the States. What I think was a very nice gesture was how American emergency personnel demonstrated their condolences which was very appreciated here at home. The next topic the psychiatrist spoke of was the need to respect if the person wants to talk about it or not. Don’t keep pushing. Respect our own sense of limits. More is not more. #Toronto Strong# Holding on to the weak is called strength” TAO Te Ching (Book of the way) There is an importance to rituals. Therapeutic writing groups - You don’t have to and you don’t have to share - can just sit and listen. We must be responsible and not re-traumatize. Allow people to voice their anger. People need to voice their anger. We talked about secondary trauma which therapists can develop. I won’t talk about that because experiences were shared which I consider confidential. Clients often tell me their story. At times I do interrupt depending on what is being said. I will let them know that what they are saying is very important and perhaps it needs to be examined a bit closer and require some reflection. However, more often than not, a client in crises may need to tell his and her story and I will notice the urgency of the need do so which may take up an entire session. That is ok too. Often the client will state that they feel a burden lifted after a long sigh. In those situations regardless of what is said I do not interrupt. There is always time to examine at later sessions. Another thing I rarely do is follow up with clients who come for sessions and then stop. By not calling them I offer them the opportunity to recognize their own independence. I offer them the opportunity for their own decision making. It is their decision if they wish to have therapy or not, if they want to talk or not. They have the choice to continue, to stop or to return anytime. I have never refused a client to return to me, regardless of the time away. My job is to enhance their quality of life, not to impose upon them. I agree that rituals are important. Mothers who have had abortions and have regretted them find solace of having a ritual where they acknowledge, name and offer a rose or other flower or candle in their child’s memory. At the hospital where I interned there were ceremonies conducted for those patients who had died and their families returned to mourn. I found that this was welcomed by so many who were able to weep and find some comfort. I often suggest that clients begin to start a journal. I let them know that they can share with me if they wish. Sometimes they do and sometimes they do not. For clients who have been traumatized I often let them know that if they get a new memory, or they find themselves becoming upset, to stop writing and to discuss those feelings and memories in therapy. A person should never endure more than they can deal with. I also encourage support groups and they do not have to say anything or share until and if they are ready. Some times there are no groups and I am always willing to help them start one, if they wish. My fees do not fluctuate. Sometimes I am asked if I charge more if there is a couple or family in the room. I charge by the fifty minute hour which at times becomes an hour or more. But if one is charged more I would be questioning that.

My next book is a slow process

I have only written ten pages of my next book. This book will be very different from my other three. This will be a horror story based on God and the Devil and us. It will be fiction with a theological theme. It should scare the beegeeses out of you. I do my best writing in the morning when my brain is fresh. However, I also maintain a very balanced life especially because of my work. Helping people with psychological concerns can be quite draining at times and that is why I never take on more clients unless I can give each and every one my entire persona to help them on their journey. It is important for me to constantly monitor myself. I am very happy and content with who I am. I live in the present but am always prepared with options for my future. So, my priority is my work and for me to be my best at it, with focus on self care and professional development. With that is fun. I love people and love having fun. I also have a sense of humour which is not always appreciated, but I sure do. This next book writing is only allowed to time, when all else is done. I keep re-writing it and altering it more than my other books. I love to write and though it is a hobby, it is one I thoroughly enjoy. So this next book will be scary and well worth reading (I think all my books are). This book will be dedicated to another family member. So if you have not ordered anything please do so on line at www.silvaredigonda.com. Mabe then it may become more than a hobby. Indigo also carries my ebooks (two). Have a great day and tomorrow I will write more about any conference I have attended. As you know I am a tad behind.

The Internet Murders

“Sandra missed being a cop, but after two years on homicide, she had seen enough for a lifetime. Now, where was she? “I need a coffee,” she mumbled. She didn’t hear anything. She had barely managed to rise from her chair when she felt powerful arms come from behind her, choking her. Automatically, Sandra tucked her chin down, bent her knees, and flung him over her head. She didn’t wait to see if she could take him. She wasn’t stupid, but was fully aware of her limitations. She ran, hearing the loud thump as her attacker landed over her desk. The instinct for survival took over and she ran out of her office into the vacant hallway. She ran down the stairs, stumbling a few times, but managed not to fall. It had been a long time since she had moved that fast. She almost made it outside. Her hand was on the door that promised her an escape. When she felt the knife slice her arm, she automatically used the force of her entire body to turn and punch him, aiming to kill him by using all her force to strike upward from just underneath his nose. She[…]” Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “The Internet Murders.” iBooks. For your private copy, order on line ebook or signed soft cover at www.silvaredigonda.com

World Religions - continued (from notes)

Roman Catholicism recognizes the legitimacy of all world religions. Therefore, is Mohamed the prophet and the Koran the word of God? 1. Christianity at the time of Mohamed was oppressive (baptism or death). 2. First translation in 1873 by the Jesuits. Full text of the bible translated into Mandarin is 1960. What Mohamed heard of the gospel was heard through Greek or nothing in the Middle East. Mohammed - portrayed Jesus. What is the Koranic view of Jesus? Recognize old/New Testament as revelation of God. Koran speaks of Jesus in glorious terms - believe in Jesus and Mary - Jesus from the Virgin mother, not a sign of divinity. Recognizes Jesus Christ as Messiah and will come at end of time, but denies his death and resurrection. The Islamic denial of Jesus divinity (like Jews/ is integrated world view of Koran. The fall of Adam had consequences. It condemns humans of all time. This is Augustine’s point of view - not in the bible. Muslims don’t buy that. Augustine’s theology is for salvation. For Muslim’s, God is compassionate. People do sin. Here we hear the prodigal son. Same response is the Jews. In not accepting doctrine of original sin. They deny that Jesus died on the cross. He was mysteriously taken into heaven and an imposter put in his place. If Abraham would not be permitted for his son to be killed how can God allow his son to be killed? There is more than one way to understand how Jesus is died. In 1956 - Harvard - First woman to study theology. Islam is part of God’s Salvation - Muslims form a unity of faith. Koran is a word of God. Jesus is the word of God. No Muslim says he can be saved from Mohammed - only the Koran. Hinduism - believe in one God. Buddhists - no. Theories of truth - when say Jesus is son of God. We say it metaphorically. Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If three are equal = cannot be Christ alone. If salvation is Christ alone, then Jesus can do something that Holy Ghost can do or God cannot do that Jesus can do. So preoccupation with Jesus Christ alone, diminishes God and Holy Spirit. So, if they are all = even (Paul 2nd) can be saved by the Holy Ghost. Orthodox - no original sin. Collect data, understand and then make judgment. So, as a chart we have the Church, Ecclesiocentric. Christ 1492 1. Church. Salvation - no definition. Baptism by water 2. baptism by desire.Theocentric so maybe more dialogue outside of God - no salvation. Soteriocentric - outside the suffering of the world there is no salvation. Ethics - what can we do together to learn about the Kingdom of God. Emphasis on Justice and what we can do to each other. Hinduism - 40,000,000 (at time of writing notes) living outside India. Most of World Hindus are highly educated. Buddhish Hindus - 1, they argue not a religion. There is a complex of spiritual thought - no congregation. Religion - no uniformal sacraments - change. No initiating rites. No practises. Being Hindu is an individual decision. The notion of re-birth Christianity has a linear vision, beginning and end. Hinduism - what goes around, comes around. To be Hindu, don’t have to believe in anything Secular view of history. Hinduism is how to become one with Brahman. Three sote - grace alone, faith alone and prayers alone. Hinduism is not a world religion because there is no uniformity. Mostly confined to India but changing. Not a religion because they consider themselves a quest for righteousness. They are seekers. They believe that everyone has their own truth. Since 52AD, Christianity in India - doubting Thomas. He founded the Syrian Church. There is dispute whether Thomas got there in 52, but there is evidence that Christianity existed there before the fourth century. The Syrians still exist there today. Trouble started in 1498 when Portuguese thought you had to accept Christ and Western view. It was suggested that an inquisition began to Christianize the Hindus. Things went bad in 1599 at the Synod of Diamper when it was indicated that all had to join the Roman Church. This continued til 1605, Robert de Ivobili. He said you had to be wearing their clothes and eating their food to Christianize, Bitagarad Gita. Roman said you can’t do that (cultivate the faith in their culture). It was still too westernized. When you have so much truth, you get defeated by truth. Post Dutch - Protestant approach was very different. It was very aggressive. They would stand at sidewalks (with belts?)and call them pagans. They were attracted to Jesus. We consider Jesus Western but in many cultures, Jesus is considered Asian. It was regarded as an Eastern religion. So people like Cheshub Chunder Sen, 1834 -1888, became disciple of Christ while remaining Hindu. At least six churches today run by Hindus but they don’t want to join the Western Church (to be told they are wrong). To be continued……….(week after next)

Scam alerts again - This gets tiresome but if you get these don't be deceived.

As I have stated, I am posting scams which I get offered very often. So many people lose money because of these fraudsters who prey on others. Hopefully we can develop a system to expose and arrest these people who cause so much misery to those they victimize. I have not listed this person's reply email address. "I apologize for intruding into your privacy, especially by contacting you through this means for important offer, how are you and your family over there? My name is Mrs. Betty Stewart I want to donate my inheritance to the less privileged people in the society. I work as contractor and business woman. I want to donate my inheritance to the less privileged people in the society. I live alone and have no family, relatives or child presently i lost my beloved husband and two kids on 18 July 2007 in a plane crash during landing on the Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil .I am suffering from Stomach Cancer and have undergone series of cancer treatments but to no avail, i am presently in a special Government hospital for a cancer operation. After the test result, my doctor said that I have short time to live in life, for this reason I got your email address on internet and I am contacting you because I have no option again. I save my personal money the sum of 5.5Million Euros in the Bank now that I have short time to live I want you to stand as my representative in your country and build either Mosque or church for people over there in your city or help any orphanage home or poor people with my money. If you can accept to be my representative then I will give you 30% of the total amount as your commission and you will use the balance 70 % for the project. Please I need an honest person who will take very good care of this project. If you are capable to handle this project, then I will tell you further step to take. I suffer a lot in my life and I am very much afraid of dying without knowing the destination of my property, I hardly sleep at night and during the day because I do not want to die without having donated all the property I have otherwise I think it would be a mess. Hope to hear from you even if you’re not interested on this email" and another. I have xxxx what I think is inappropriate language: "Hi! As you may have noticed, I sent you an email from your account. This means that I have full access to your account: At the time of hacking your accountxxxxxxxxxxxx had this password: xxxxxxxxxxxx You can say: this is my, but old password! Or: I can change my password at any time! Of course! You will be right, but the fact is that when you change the password, my malicious code every time saved a new one! I've been watching you for a few months now. But the fact is that you were infected with malware through xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx that you visited. If you are not familiar with this, I will explain. Trojan Virus gives me full access and control over a computer or other device. This means that I can see everything on your screen, turn on the camera and microphone, but you do not know about it. I also have access to all your contacts and all your correspondence from e-mail and messangers. Why your antivirus did not detect my malware? Answer: My malware uses the driver, I update its signatures every 4 hours so that your antivirus is silent. I made a video showing xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, and in the right half you see the video that you watched. With one click of the mouse, I can send this video to all your emails and contacts on social networks. I can also post access to all your e-mail correspondence and messengers that you use. If you want to prevent this, transfer the amount of $798 to my bitcoin address (if you do not know how to do this, write to Google: "Buy Bitcoin"). My bitcoin address (BTC Wallet) is: 1B3Lx1t4CQSt3ck85bqzGHC9TeEQGANhUR After receiving the payment, I will delete the video and you will never hear me again. I give you 48 hours to pay. I have a notice reading this letter, and the timer will work when you see this letter. Filing a complaint somewhere does not make sense because this email cannot be tracked like my bitcoin address. I do not make any mistakes. If I find that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will be immediately distributed. Bye!" Don't believe it when and if you get these emails.

Marijuana - The effects of cannabis on the developing brain

It is not a secret about how concerned I am that marijuana is legal in my country. I am even more concerned that there is a hint of persons/institutions trying to legalize other drugs, even more powerful. When I decided to begin caring for people with mental health concerns, addiction was not in the forefront. I had no interest in dealing with addiction. However, that is in my opinion not possible. I therefore have one stipulation. Do not see me if you are under the influence. Though in the beginning, I thought I had that in control, experience has dictated that though I may wish to see people who are sober or not under the influence of drugs, how can I turn anyone away who comes to see me because of pain? Addiction is pain. So, the more I deal with the suffering of addiction, the more I become very much opposed to the legalization of illegal drugs. However, I do not run my country and am not interested right now if ever of getting involved in politics and so I can only inform you of what I learn and have learnt. I am sure I have written here about addiction before, so I will just relay what I learned and refreshed myself at my last seminar about two weeks ago. It was during that snow storm, where I was forced to take the TTC. It was rather nice because it is not to often that my city quiets down and snow storms usually makes that happen. There were students all around me as well as we walked to our respective destinations. Academia usually surpasses all else. There were about fourteen of us in the seminar room, however, our peers were watching and sharing from all over Ontario. We would share thoughts, concerns and experiences from Kingston, Ottawa, Niagara (I love Niagara Falls and appreciated the photo of the falls), Kitchener, Oakville, Owen Sound and London. The topic - The effects of cannabis on the developing brain. At this seminar the speaker is Dr. K. Shen, MD., CCFP, Addiction Specialist, helping lead young physicians in their training. Points were as listed here. There is no medication right now to wear off marijuana. Spiritual care is important. In a 12 month period survey, 27, 8 youths 16 to 19 years of age had driven within 2 hours of marijuana consumption. 43, 1 of youth 20-24, drive within 2 hours. Recommendations of waiting time is 6 hours of no driving. Almost 1/2 of Canada is among the highest recreational users in the world. 15 to 24 years of age are the highest. One to six youths who try marijuana will become addicted. illegal and legal differences is the THC which has more euphoria. CBT - higher tends to less euphoria and helps with seizures and pain (medical use). Effects on youths with legalization? In the States there is now 10 States where marijuana is legal. In the city of Oregan, after legislation, there was more use. Colorado - more risk with children injury accidentally. Higher risk suggested in crime and driving. We shall see what will happen in our country. Where do children get marijuana? 22% were from their parents. 38% was obtained legally. What are the reasons youths try cannabis? It is legal and therefore it must be ok. They take it to relieve depression and anxiety, pain control, peer pressure, euphoria, sleep. Youths wanting to fit in. It seems exciting or out of boredom. Do they think there is a risk? Yes, maybe, but it won’t happen to them. Social media is reaching out to teens as never before. How does one filter to get research based effects on the brain? Marijuana effects respiratory, heart increased, risk of psychosis, risk for addiction. Impacts on development, memory loss, can reduce ability to make decisions, loss of motivation, low self esteem, can increase depression. Effects the pre-frontal cortex. Effects are worse when the brain is still developing. It effects IQ which may not be reversible. It is like pouring salt rather then a pinch of salt on chips, but it is your brain. The brain is rapidly developing til age 25. 17 -25 increases psychosis and mental illness. Notice a connection between marijuana and psychosis. You see it in vulnerable patients. More research has to be done. There is no clear recommendation at the moment. DSM - 5, spends more time on the drug, craving, thinking about it, can’t stop, problems at work and home. There are four or five or six in criteria already in that spectrum etc…It starts as recreational, longer term contributes to problems and increases mental health concerns. What are the signs for addiction in a teen? Changes in behaviour, drop in school grades, isolation, more withdrawn, change in sleep patterns. Treatment: prevention if possible, no approved medication, treat anxiety and depression, counselling, on-going research, dialogue with teens, drug kit tool - how to have conversation with teen, schools - have talks in schools. Screening tools for adolescents: Questionnaire: use of alcohol or drugs to fit in, use alcohol or drugs alone, asking to cut down. Medications in the future? No clinical trials right now. Counselling, Cognitive behavioural Therapy, Motivational enhancement therapy……. www.drug free kids canada.org wp. Marijuana is not a non problem drug. It can alter the structure of the developing brain. In some the effects may not be reversible. www.ccsa. For therapists: what is the cause the person is the user? Find other way to cope with anxiety or depression. My question: Is paranoia a symptom? Answer: Powerful blurted out by more than one expert: “Absolutely!” When one is in denial - use the approach “What is your goal?” My question: smoking marijuana among children? Response: same as second hand smoke (cigarettes). The rest of the seminar involved updates on policies about association changes, college updates etc….which is important to me but boring for you. So, I hope this has been of interest to you. Though this may sound depressing, I find it very rewarding where youths who have become addicted, after many years, come to therapy for help determined to stop. I often refer them to support groups while using CBT. I usually do ask clients why they are coming to me and how they would like me to help them, which is them letting me know what their goals are and how I can help them get there. It is always their option. The control is theirs. Regarding addiction, it affects the entire family. Sometimes addicts stop and then start again not because they want to, but because the addiction is so compelling. This is a process, not the end. I have probably seen people at every stage of their addiction and there is nothing so rewarding as when someone is so determined to make changes and I am able to journey along with them on their travels to see those results. Next week it is back to theology and alternating, I will continue to catch up with seminars before more begin. I was invited to attend a talk about engineers who have developed cannabis detectors and digestible cameras as well as more about the brain. However, I was too late in responding and so I wouldn’t have my choice of including the brain. What I have learned is not to stall in my rspv’s. I have to always pick and choose what I attend as well as considering my clients needs. So, I now know there is a limit at this university which I did not know in the past because I usually respond right away. The weather this winter has been challenging, in my decision making of what to attend.

Man Loses Patience With His Elderly Dad Until A Bird Reminds Him Of What Matters

Man Loses Patience With His Elderly Dad Until A Bird Reminds Him Of What Matters