It's October already?! Well to make up for a missed month of posts...here are some cute & funnyz to enjoy!

~Peace, Love & Happiness~

Psych Series #9

Psych Series #9: Stages of Personality Development

This week's 'Psych Series' is taking us back to the good ole college days of Psych 101. There are several theoretical models of personality development that we could review. Today I have chosen to bring you Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory.

Sullivan initially followed Freud and his intrapersonal view. He later developed his own theoretical framework based on interpersonal relationships. Sullivan's model spans from infancy through late adolescence and describes the major developmental tasks humans must accomplish during each stage. Happy reading and keep an eye out for more developmental theories and Psych 101 refreshers coming soon!

Sullivan's Stages of Personality Development

Infancy: Birth to 18 Months
Major Developmental Task:

• Gratification of needs - this is accomplished through such activities as crying, nursing, and thumb sucking.

Childhood: 18 Months to 6 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Learning to experience a delay in personal gratification without undue anxiety - this is accomplished using tools including the mouth, the anus, language, experimentation, manipulation, and identification
  

Juvenile: 6 To 9 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Forming satisfactory relationships within peer groups - this is accomplished using competition, cooperation, and compromise.

Preadolescence: 9 To 12 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Developing relationships with persons of the same sex - this stage is where we learn to initiate feelings of affection for another person and show love.

Early Adolescence: 12 To 14 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Developing a sense of identity that is separate and independent from parents
  
• Forming satisfactory relationships with members of the opposite sex - biological changes and the emergence of lust occur during this stage
  

Late Adolescence: 14 To 21 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Establishing self-identity or interdependence within society
• Experiencing satisfying relationships
• Working to develop a lasting, intimate relationship with a member of the opposite sex

Sullivan based his theory on the belief that all behavior is aimed at relieving or preventing anxiety. He believed that fulfilling all requirements in a person's physicochemical environment (oxygen, food, warmth, tenderness, rest, activity, water, sexual expression, etc) led to the satisfaction of needs. When a person has all needs met, Sullivan believed there was an overall sense of total well-being and interpersonal security. Sullivan identified what he called the 'self-system', a collection of experiences individuals use to protect against anxiety. Within this system, Sullivan identified three components:

• "Good Me" - personality that develops in response to positive feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of pleasure, contentment, and gratification.
• "Bad Me" - personality that develops in response to negative feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of anxiety leading to discomfort, displeasure, and distress.
• "Not Me" - personality that develops in response to situations that produce intense anxiety. Individuals experience feelings of horror, awe, dread, and loathing. These feelings in turn lead to the child denying the feelings in order to relieve anxiety, thus becoming "not me." This type of withdrawal from emotions may lead to mental disorders in adult life.

By using the concepts of Sullivan's theory, we can assist individuals to achieve a higher degree of independent and interpersonal functioning.

As always, wishing you all peace, love and happiness! Look for more Psych 101 refreshers and theoretical models coming soon!

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13 (excerpt)

Wishing you all Peace, LOVE, and Happiness!

Artistic X-rays

I have been mesmerized by Dutch artist/photographer, Albert Koetsier, who has perfected x-rays as art. Here are some samples of his work & work he inspired...enjoy!








Wishing you all peace, love & happiness!

Passing the Torch

With a huge sigh of relief, I pass the torch onto the next lucky lady! Today marks the last day of my appointment scheduling duties for work...and I couldn't be more relieved! It has definitely been a mammoth project. I've enjoyed it for the most part, but with changes in staffing, shifts, and responsibility, it was definitely time to donate this project to someone else...more available during "regular business hours." Congrats to S.V. on her "promotion" to scheduler! Much luck to her (she'll do great). I start this next chapter with plans for an updated pharmacy, improved supply maintenance and alterations to the basic department layout. Big changes ahead....can't wait! Here's to the next chapter!

Wishing you all peace, love, & happiness!

Psych Series #8

Psych Series #8: Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure (PNES)

Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of medical emergencies we are responding to at work for "seizure activity." A friend said to me the other day, "How can there be so many people having seizures in one facility? In my entire life, I've only known one person who had a seizure, yet you are seeing these girls have them on an almost daily basis!!" In response, I have chosen to bring you all some general information on epileptic and non-epileptic seizure disorders. Happy reading!

What is a seizure? In general a seizure is "a temporary loss of control, often with abnormal movements, unconsciousness, or both." Epileptic seizures are caused by "a sudden, abnormal electrical discharge from the brain." Other causes of seizures can include brain injury, alcohol withdrawal, extremely high fever, lead poisoning, infections involving the brain, brain tumors, or withdrawal from certain medications.

Epileptic Seizures

• Can be caused by any process that disrupts the stability of the neuronal cell membrane.
• Involves 3 classifications - genetic, acquired, or idiopathic.
  
• Seizures are also classified according to age of onset, cause, area of origin in the brain, EEG abnormalities, and clinical symptoms during seizure activity.

Types of Seizures in Epilepsy

1. Partial - focal or local

• Motor activity or involuntary movements are generally limited to an upper extremity, entire limb, and/or one side of the face.
• Sensory phenomena may develop such as numbness or tingling to the affected area.
• Autonomic system stimulation results in epigastric sensations, pallor, sweating, "goose bumps", rapid heart beat, and rapid breathing.
• May produce an "aura" such as a strange noise, smell, or visual disturbances.
• May exhibit "automatisms" or automatic behaviors such as lip-smacking, chewing, patting a part of the body, or picking at clothing.

2. Generalized

• Lead to a loss of consciousness.
• May be convulsive or nonconvulsive.
• Manifestations involve both hemispheres of the brain.
• Include: Absence, Myoclonic - sudden, uncontrolled jerking movements, Clonic - rhythmic muscular contraction and relaxation, Tonic - an abrupt increase in muscle tone and contraction, Tonic-Clonic, Atonic - total loss of muscle tone.

Psychogenic (non-epileptic) Seizures

• May resemble epileptic seizures, but do not involve abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.
• Are stress-related or "emotional."
• Are frequently misdiagnosed.
• Patients may exhibit different movements with each seizure.

Diagnosis

• EEG (electroencephalogram) with video monitoring - recording a patient for several hours to several days until seizure activity occurs.

Causes

• Emotional, stress-induced, and can result from traumatic psychological experiences.

Treatment

• Because PNES is a psychiatric condition, treatment mainly involves mental health professionals rather than a neurologist.
• Some treatments include:
• Psychotherapy
• Stress-reduction techniques like relaxation and biofeedback training
• Personal support to help with coping during treatment

So, if you or a loved one suffer from seizures and antiepileptic medications don't seem to help control them, evaluation for PNES may be indicated. Please remember, PNES are real seizures. Though they stem from emotional or stress-related issues, they are not "faked" events. Individuals with PNES need the same TLC and understanding we provide for epileptic patients.

As always, I wish you peace, love, and happiness this Spring!

• 
  

Life's Little Instructions

Sing in the shower
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated
Watch a sunrise at least once a year
Leave the toilet seat in the down position
Never refuse homemade brownies
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Plant a tree on your birthday
Learn 3 clean jokes

Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full
Compliment 3 people every day
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them
Leave everything a little better than you found it
Keep it simple
Thing big thoughts but relish small pleasures
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know

Floss your teeth
Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it
Be forgiving of yourself and others
Overtip breakfast waitresses
Say "thank you" a lot
Say "please" a lot
Avoid negative people
Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards

Wear polished shoes
Remember other people's birthdays
Commit yourself to constant improvement
Carry jumper cables in your trunk
Have a firm handshake
Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're terrific."
Look people in the eye
Be the first to say, "Hello"

Use the good silver
Return all things you borrow
Make new friends but cherish the old ones
Keep secrets
Sing in a choir
Plant flowers every spring
Have a dog
Always accept an outstretched hand

Stop blaming others
Take responsibility for every area of your life
Wave at kids on school buses
Be there when people need you
Feed a stranger's expired parking meter
Don't expect life to be fair
Never underestimate the power of love

Drink champagne for no reason at all
Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation
Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake"
Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know"
Compliment even small improvements
Keep your promises (no matter what)
Marry only for love
Rekindle old friendships
Count your blessings
Call your mother

~H.J. Brown, Jr.