Man of Fire is a captivating movie based on a novel by A.J. Quinnell. The movie stars Denzel Washington as John Creasy, Dakota Fannning as Lupita Balletto, Marc Anthony as Samuel, Radha Mitchell as Rika Balletto and Christopher Walken as Rayburn among others. The movie was released in 2004 and is about a former USA intelligent agent (Creasy) turned mercenary and currently living in Mexico. Creasy is hired by a wealthy family in Mexico to guard their 12 years old girl (Lupita).
I was captivated from the beginning by Creasy (Denzel Washington) because he appeared to be a man going through some trauma. He manifests certain symptoms from the onset of the movie which leads one to believe that he has some psychological and unresolved issues that need to be addressed to avoid future disaster. The symptoms observed are lack of appetite as evidenced by refusal to eat when offered food. Avoidance of intimate relationships, he locked himself in his room most times; job dissatisfaction; bottled up anger as manifested by angry outbursts when pushed by the girl (Lupita) he was to guard.
He further seemed to drink to numb his feelings when alone in his room; he lived a secluded and lonely life; he suffered from insomnia and appeared to have nightmares connected with his past; He cried as if in pain or out of torment. The torment or pain that he is struggling with eventually pushes him to attempt to commit suicide. Thank God the gun somehow jams which seem to surprise him and brings him back to reality. It is at this time that he makes a call while outside in the rain to someone who seemed to understand his issues.
Read more: http://cinemaroll.com/cinemarolling/man-on-fire-a-mental-health-analysis-of-the-movies-main-character/#ixzz0xkAKCThr
This is a blog that I educate and express my opinions on some health and mental Health issues. Different therapies used in psychotherapy are also discussed.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Lessons learnt from the Family Crucibles
The Family Crucible is an interesting demonstration of the family systems theory and of therapy in session using the systems model.
From the first page when we are introduced to the Brice family we start experiencing the system in action. The book helps us see the family as a system and to understand how family problems arise through scapegoating, triangulation, diffusion of identity, blaming each other among such things. These are all common attributes in every family. Napier indicates that a lot of knowledge, energy, and interpersonal skills are demanded of the family therapist.
Therapy is considered a growth process in the lives of a family but the family must have the initiate to succeed in therapy. The therapist lets the family take the initiate while he observes. At this point the therapist provides a place of safety for the family. Being an outsider, the therapist is able to see things that the family is blind to. He monitors and interprets the family’s struggle. From this we observe how the therapist gains ground with the family during therapy. The book also introduces the concept that the family‘s problem emanates from how they relate with one another as a unit.
The different roles that the therapist plays during therapy are also addressed. One of the roles is to help the family question what they have been taught about relationships. The book exposes the underlying war that exists between the therapist and the family. Although the family recognizes that their system of operation has failed, they are not always willing to change. It is natural to resist change and the final outcome depends on the family’s courage and willingness to risk and the therapists’ real adequacy as a person both inside and outside his professional roles.
The therapist acquires the role of a parent or figure of authority with the family. He however has to earn this position because the family comes to therapy with their own structure, tone and rules. If the family’s case is very complex, the therapist may have to grow personally to be effective to the family. As an observer, the therapist notices things in the family that are not right. Part of the therapist job is to fault find which creates a dilemma and a threat to the therapist life. Some of the things happening in the family make the therapist uneasy because it strikes deeper chords in the therapist resonating with the problems in the therapist’s life.
Read more: http://bookstove.com/book-talk/lessons-learnt-from-the-family-crucible-whitaker-c-napier-a-1978/#ixzz0xk7cqiOA
From the first page when we are introduced to the Brice family we start experiencing the system in action. The book helps us see the family as a system and to understand how family problems arise through scapegoating, triangulation, diffusion of identity, blaming each other among such things. These are all common attributes in every family. Napier indicates that a lot of knowledge, energy, and interpersonal skills are demanded of the family therapist.
Therapy is considered a growth process in the lives of a family but the family must have the initiate to succeed in therapy. The therapist lets the family take the initiate while he observes. At this point the therapist provides a place of safety for the family. Being an outsider, the therapist is able to see things that the family is blind to. He monitors and interprets the family’s struggle. From this we observe how the therapist gains ground with the family during therapy. The book also introduces the concept that the family‘s problem emanates from how they relate with one another as a unit.
The different roles that the therapist plays during therapy are also addressed. One of the roles is to help the family question what they have been taught about relationships. The book exposes the underlying war that exists between the therapist and the family. Although the family recognizes that their system of operation has failed, they are not always willing to change. It is natural to resist change and the final outcome depends on the family’s courage and willingness to risk and the therapists’ real adequacy as a person both inside and outside his professional roles.
The therapist acquires the role of a parent or figure of authority with the family. He however has to earn this position because the family comes to therapy with their own structure, tone and rules. If the family’s case is very complex, the therapist may have to grow personally to be effective to the family. As an observer, the therapist notices things in the family that are not right. Part of the therapist job is to fault find which creates a dilemma and a threat to the therapist life. Some of the things happening in the family make the therapist uneasy because it strikes deeper chords in the therapist resonating with the problems in the therapist’s life.
Read more: http://bookstove.com/book-talk/lessons-learnt-from-the-family-crucible-whitaker-c-napier-a-1978/#ixzz0xk7cqiOA
How nations like the USA exhibit Personality Disorder
A person’s characteristic traits, coping styles and ways of interacting socially emerge during childhood and under normal circumstances will crystallize into established patterns by the end of adolescence or early adult hood. These traits and behaviors constitute an individual’s personality. For most adults, personality is attuned to the demands of the society they find themselves in. What this means is that most people act or behave according to their society’s norms or expectation.
If a person diverts from the norms expected by their society, that person is said to have a personality disorder. For there to be a diagnosis of a personality disorder, the pattern of behaviour must be pervasive and must be manifest in at least two of the following areas; cognition, interpersonal functioning, affect and impulse control. People find the behaviour of individuals with personality disorders confusing, exasperating, unpredictable and to varying degrees unacceptable.
This got me thinking about the general human population and how although we are similar our mannerisms are different depending on our societies. One society may have certain traits and mannerism that would be considered a disorder in another society while perfectly normal within that society. Considering that personality Disorders stem from gradual development of inflexible and distorted personality and behavioral patterns, I investigated a few countries that I am familiar with and came up with what maybe termed as Disorders to the rest of the world while perfectly normal within their own countries.
The Standard I use is to diagnose these nations is the American Diagnostic Statistc Manual (DSM –IV-TR) . I will try to explain the basis of my diagnosis and the reason why I think that people from these countries have developed what is perceived by others as personality Disorders.
1) The USA, Narcissistic Personality Disorder
According to the DSM, people with Narcissistic personality Disorder Have a “Pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy and behaviour) need for admiration, and lack of empathy as indicated by at least five of the following:
Read more: http://socyberty.com/psychology/how-nations-like-the-united-states-of-america-exhibit-personality-disorders/#ixzz0xk56862g
If a person diverts from the norms expected by their society, that person is said to have a personality disorder. For there to be a diagnosis of a personality disorder, the pattern of behaviour must be pervasive and must be manifest in at least two of the following areas; cognition, interpersonal functioning, affect and impulse control. People find the behaviour of individuals with personality disorders confusing, exasperating, unpredictable and to varying degrees unacceptable.
This got me thinking about the general human population and how although we are similar our mannerisms are different depending on our societies. One society may have certain traits and mannerism that would be considered a disorder in another society while perfectly normal within that society. Considering that personality Disorders stem from gradual development of inflexible and distorted personality and behavioral patterns, I investigated a few countries that I am familiar with and came up with what maybe termed as Disorders to the rest of the world while perfectly normal within their own countries.
The Standard I use is to diagnose these nations is the American Diagnostic Statistc Manual (DSM –IV-TR) . I will try to explain the basis of my diagnosis and the reason why I think that people from these countries have developed what is perceived by others as personality Disorders.
1) The USA, Narcissistic Personality Disorder
According to the DSM, people with Narcissistic personality Disorder Have a “Pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy and behaviour) need for admiration, and lack of empathy as indicated by at least five of the following:
Read more: http://socyberty.com/psychology/how-nations-like-the-united-states-of-america-exhibit-personality-disorders/#ixzz0xk56862g
What it takes for a man to be faithfull to a relationship
Men and women are different no doubt. They express their emotions differently and have different expectations and needs in a relationship. Many women when looking for a mate have different considerations. Some are looking for a provider and for this reason they will go for a man who is materially successful. For other women the looks of a man are important in particular his masculinity or height.
When it comes to character it seems this is an area that is overlooked. Most women assume that because a man is in a relationship with her he will stay faithful. Sometimes when a woman meets the man he may already be in another relationship but the woman assumes she will win him completely to herself. Others assume that marriage will change a man and make him faithful.
One thing I have learnt in life is that you cannot change anyone. A man cannot change a woman if her character is not right and certainly a woman cannot change a man, particularly when it comes to faithfulness. Only a man can keep a man faithful, not a woman and her ways. A man must posses certain traits to be faithful. But before he can ever be concerned with these traits, he must respect a woman and then respect himself.
Certain societies have rites of passage which ushers a boy into manhood. This teaches a man the value of integrity, loyalty, and courage, important traits for a man. A man needs these traits to be faithful to himself and to others. However having these traits is not enough, he must also apply them to his life. This is what it means to be a grown man.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/relationships/what-it-takes-for-a-man-to-be-faithful-to-a-relationship/#ixzz0xjy3KBan
When it comes to character it seems this is an area that is overlooked. Most women assume that because a man is in a relationship with her he will stay faithful. Sometimes when a woman meets the man he may already be in another relationship but the woman assumes she will win him completely to herself. Others assume that marriage will change a man and make him faithful.
One thing I have learnt in life is that you cannot change anyone. A man cannot change a woman if her character is not right and certainly a woman cannot change a man, particularly when it comes to faithfulness. Only a man can keep a man faithful, not a woman and her ways. A man must posses certain traits to be faithful. But before he can ever be concerned with these traits, he must respect a woman and then respect himself.
Certain societies have rites of passage which ushers a boy into manhood. This teaches a man the value of integrity, loyalty, and courage, important traits for a man. A man needs these traits to be faithful to himself and to others. However having these traits is not enough, he must also apply them to his life. This is what it means to be a grown man.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/relationships/what-it-takes-for-a-man-to-be-faithful-to-a-relationship/#ixzz0xjy3KBan
Why I do not suport the death Penalty
The death penalty is the one thing in the justice system that to me is the most barbaric.
The model of punishment has been used in many nations for punishment of various crimes notably of which is murder, robbery with violence and treason. The mode of death could be by hanging, lethal injection, electrocution or stoning to death as in countries of the Middle East.
Most of the times the family of the victims may even want it so badly because they assume by the person dying they feel justice will have been met. So to them an eye for eye serves the purpose of justice. Murder no doubt is a heinous crime and deserves grave consequences for the one committing the crime. But is another killing the solution?
The justice system aims at preventing crime, punishing those who offend the law, bring retribution to the offended while trying to rehabilitate the offender. The main reason really is to provide justice however that may look like. The question that we must all ask is how does the state committing the same act that the offender is convicted of help in curbing such crimes? Do we as human beings have the right to decide who should live and who should die?
The problem I have for me is based more on my faith as a Christian. Yet I note that in the country of my residence it seems to me like those who share my faith are the ones that actually advocate for the death penalty. For me I consider that to God there is no big sin or small sin, “for He who said, do not commit adultery, also said, do not murder”. James 2: 11. Now if you commit one and not the other you are still a transgressor of the law. I am not trying to minimize the offence of murder but my point is to demonstrate that the murderer started somewhere.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/why-i-do-not-support-the-death-penalty/#ixzz0xjwnDCxq
The model of punishment has been used in many nations for punishment of various crimes notably of which is murder, robbery with violence and treason. The mode of death could be by hanging, lethal injection, electrocution or stoning to death as in countries of the Middle East.
Most of the times the family of the victims may even want it so badly because they assume by the person dying they feel justice will have been met. So to them an eye for eye serves the purpose of justice. Murder no doubt is a heinous crime and deserves grave consequences for the one committing the crime. But is another killing the solution?
The justice system aims at preventing crime, punishing those who offend the law, bring retribution to the offended while trying to rehabilitate the offender. The main reason really is to provide justice however that may look like. The question that we must all ask is how does the state committing the same act that the offender is convicted of help in curbing such crimes? Do we as human beings have the right to decide who should live and who should die?
The problem I have for me is based more on my faith as a Christian. Yet I note that in the country of my residence it seems to me like those who share my faith are the ones that actually advocate for the death penalty. For me I consider that to God there is no big sin or small sin, “for He who said, do not commit adultery, also said, do not murder”. James 2: 11. Now if you commit one and not the other you are still a transgressor of the law. I am not trying to minimize the offence of murder but my point is to demonstrate that the murderer started somewhere.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/why-i-do-not-support-the-death-penalty/#ixzz0xjwnDCxq
A Christian perspective of Experiential Family Therapy
Therapists are faced with challenges on what theory to use if they are to help their clients. The challenge for those who identify with the Christian faith is always on identifying a theory that can blend in well with their faith. If a therapist is to be authentic and genuine in the therapeutic approach, then the theory used must align with the therapist’s beliefs. More and more therapists are called to do a work that was previously the domain of the priest in a church setting. Carl Jung saw religion as a “system of healing for the psychic illness”. He saw the therapist role as that of a “priest” dealing with problems which “strictly speaking, belong to the Theologian”.
In his book Man’s search for meaning (1985), Viktor Frankl states that more and more a psychiatrist is approached by patients who confront him with problems that would ideally be handled by a pastor, a rabbi or a priest. They want to know the meaning of life and yet most of them will not agree to be handed over to a clergy. Dr James Beck in his article, the integration of Psychology and Theology: An enterprise out of balance, suggests that “the mental health movement grows because of a relentless demand for its services. As culture disintegrates, individual lives and marriages are crumbling forcing people to seek help”. He rightful argues that the discipline of psychology desperately needs the salt and light that trained Christian practitioners can provide for it.
In this article the writer critiques the experiential theory with a focus on Virginia Satir, in relation to a Christian world view. This critique shall focus on four areas of importance: cosmology (world view), anthropology (the nature and purpose of humans), harmatology (what is wrong with the world or psychopathology) and soteriology (how we experience healing or psychotherapy). It is submitted that experiential theory provides a strong foundation for therapists to understand their clients and enhance the therapeutic process from a theory and model that has strong ingredients and principles that can be molded to fit with Biblical principles.
Read more: http://relijournal.com/christianity/a-christian-perspective-of-experiential-family-therapy/#ixzz0xjmE1yVG
In his book Man’s search for meaning (1985), Viktor Frankl states that more and more a psychiatrist is approached by patients who confront him with problems that would ideally be handled by a pastor, a rabbi or a priest. They want to know the meaning of life and yet most of them will not agree to be handed over to a clergy. Dr James Beck in his article, the integration of Psychology and Theology: An enterprise out of balance, suggests that “the mental health movement grows because of a relentless demand for its services. As culture disintegrates, individual lives and marriages are crumbling forcing people to seek help”. He rightful argues that the discipline of psychology desperately needs the salt and light that trained Christian practitioners can provide for it.
In this article the writer critiques the experiential theory with a focus on Virginia Satir, in relation to a Christian world view. This critique shall focus on four areas of importance: cosmology (world view), anthropology (the nature and purpose of humans), harmatology (what is wrong with the world or psychopathology) and soteriology (how we experience healing or psychotherapy). It is submitted that experiential theory provides a strong foundation for therapists to understand their clients and enhance the therapeutic process from a theory and model that has strong ingredients and principles that can be molded to fit with Biblical principles.
Read more: http://relijournal.com/christianity/a-christian-perspective-of-experiential-family-therapy/#ixzz0xjmE1yVG
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Diagnosis and some causes of Schizophrenia
The characteristics symptoms of schizophrenia involve a range of cognitive and emotional dysfunctions that include perception, inferential thinking, language and communication, behavioral monitoring affect, fluency and productivity of thought and speech, hedonic capacity, volition and drive and attention. The DSM -IV-TR conceptualizes the symptoms into two broad categories of positive and negative criterion.
Positive symptoms include distortion in thought content (delusion), Perceptions (hallucinations), language and thought process( disorganized speech) and self monitoring or behavior (catatonic behavior). The negative symptoms criterion include restrictions in the range and intensity of emotion, in the fluency and productivity of thought and speech, and in the initiation of goal-directed behavior.
For one to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, the disturbance must persist for a continuous period of at least 6 months. During that period there must be at last one month of symptoms (or less than one month if symptoms were successfully treated) that meet the positive or negative criterion. Once schizophrenia occurs, it becomes a chronic condition that continues throughout the remainder of the patient life with varying degree of intensity.
The DSM-IV-TR divides schizophrenia in subtypes and the diagnosis of a particular subtype is based on the symptoms that occasioned the most recent evaluation or admission to clinical care and may change with time. The five subtypes are Paranoid type, Disorganized type, Catatonic type, undifferentiated type and the residual type.
Causes of schizophrenia
No one can clearly say for sure that schizophrenia is caused by a particular factor. One may be predisposed by genetic factors but that in itself, as research has shown, is not a gurantee that one will get it. What is known is that the development of schizophrenia can be attributed to a combination of biological dispositions (e.g. inheriting certain genes) and the environment a person is exposed to.
Brain development disruption is now known to be the result of genetic predisposition and environmental stresses early in development (e.g. during pregnancy and /or early development). This, it is suggested leads to alterations in the brain making and may lead to a person being susceptible to developing schizophrenia.
A research study by Columbia University (2004) identified approximately 14% of schizophrenia cases as having been caused by influenza during the mothers pregnancy. The study indicated that flu during the first trimester increased the risk of developing schizophrenia by the child by about 7% while flu during the third trimester increased the risk by about 3%.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/336842_what-may-cause-schizophrenia#ixzz0xeJ4vmyP
Positive symptoms include distortion in thought content (delusion), Perceptions (hallucinations), language and thought process( disorganized speech) and self monitoring or behavior (catatonic behavior). The negative symptoms criterion include restrictions in the range and intensity of emotion, in the fluency and productivity of thought and speech, and in the initiation of goal-directed behavior.
For one to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, the disturbance must persist for a continuous period of at least 6 months. During that period there must be at last one month of symptoms (or less than one month if symptoms were successfully treated) that meet the positive or negative criterion. Once schizophrenia occurs, it becomes a chronic condition that continues throughout the remainder of the patient life with varying degree of intensity.
The DSM-IV-TR divides schizophrenia in subtypes and the diagnosis of a particular subtype is based on the symptoms that occasioned the most recent evaluation or admission to clinical care and may change with time. The five subtypes are Paranoid type, Disorganized type, Catatonic type, undifferentiated type and the residual type.
Causes of schizophrenia
No one can clearly say for sure that schizophrenia is caused by a particular factor. One may be predisposed by genetic factors but that in itself, as research has shown, is not a gurantee that one will get it. What is known is that the development of schizophrenia can be attributed to a combination of biological dispositions (e.g. inheriting certain genes) and the environment a person is exposed to.
Brain development disruption is now known to be the result of genetic predisposition and environmental stresses early in development (e.g. during pregnancy and /or early development). This, it is suggested leads to alterations in the brain making and may lead to a person being susceptible to developing schizophrenia.
A research study by Columbia University (2004) identified approximately 14% of schizophrenia cases as having been caused by influenza during the mothers pregnancy. The study indicated that flu during the first trimester increased the risk of developing schizophrenia by the child by about 7% while flu during the third trimester increased the risk by about 3%.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/336842_what-may-cause-schizophrenia#ixzz0xeJ4vmyP
Understanding the Causes of Depression
Major depression is the interaction between physiological factors and psychological factors. The criterion for major depressive episodes as prescribed by the DSM-IV-TR includes depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure in most daily activities, weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, agitation, fatigue, feeling of worthlessness, inability to think or concentrate and recurrent thoughts of death.
In my opinion all human beings at one time or another suffer from depression. This is because depression is caused by both pyhsiological and psychological factors. Depression if not allowed to take a person captive can be viewed as a sign that we need a change or growth needs to take place in us. There are many causes of depression and if we listened to our mind and body we may fair better in a bout of depression.
Physiological Causes of Depression:
One's sleep pattern can have negative effect on how a person views the world and themselves. Three nights in a row without dreaming, even with plenty of sleep will cause most people to get depressed and somewhat paranoid. The brain manufactures neurotransmitters and replenishes them while you are sleeping. Thus a good, continuous night’s sleep is very important both in curing depression and preventing a relapse. Recent studies have proven that norepinephrine and serotonin initiate and maintain dreaming.
Eating patterns can also affect the physiology of a client. If one’s diet is lacking in certain nutrients and essential vitamins the body may express this deficiency through depression. It is suggested that sugar intensifies the cyclical highs and lows of our emotions with its artificial highs and subsequent lows. Research has also shown that most depressed people tend to have low levels of folic acid, a vitamin found most abundantly in leafy green vegetables. Alcohol often times is used as an escape from depression, but in actuality, alcohol can lead to vitamin deficiencies which can contribute to depression.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/335307_understanding-the-causes-of-depression#ixzz0xeGYzw1N
In my opinion all human beings at one time or another suffer from depression. This is because depression is caused by both pyhsiological and psychological factors. Depression if not allowed to take a person captive can be viewed as a sign that we need a change or growth needs to take place in us. There are many causes of depression and if we listened to our mind and body we may fair better in a bout of depression.
Physiological Causes of Depression:
One's sleep pattern can have negative effect on how a person views the world and themselves. Three nights in a row without dreaming, even with plenty of sleep will cause most people to get depressed and somewhat paranoid. The brain manufactures neurotransmitters and replenishes them while you are sleeping. Thus a good, continuous night’s sleep is very important both in curing depression and preventing a relapse. Recent studies have proven that norepinephrine and serotonin initiate and maintain dreaming.
Eating patterns can also affect the physiology of a client. If one’s diet is lacking in certain nutrients and essential vitamins the body may express this deficiency through depression. It is suggested that sugar intensifies the cyclical highs and lows of our emotions with its artificial highs and subsequent lows. Research has also shown that most depressed people tend to have low levels of folic acid, a vitamin found most abundantly in leafy green vegetables. Alcohol often times is used as an escape from depression, but in actuality, alcohol can lead to vitamin deficiencies which can contribute to depression.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/335307_understanding-the-causes-of-depression#ixzz0xeGYzw1N
Understanding the Family through the eyes of Structural Family Therapy
Fundamental processes of Structural family therapy include learning and believing in the concept of structure in families.
Structural Family therapy is a model that is mostly associated with its founder and propounder, Salvador Minuchin. It is one of the most researched models and has been successfully applied in difficult families like families with juvenile delinquents, families with someone suffering from an eating disorder, families with a chemically dependant member, families of low social economic status and families with an alcoholic.
Minuchin does not ascribe to the traditional mother/father and children family as the norm. He includes single parenting as well as blended and step families. For Minchin the healthy family builds a spouse subsystem in which each accommodates, nurtures and supports the uniqueness of the other. The model recognizes that families are organisms in a continuous process of change while trying to remain the same.
The model helps people see the patterns, processes and transactions of the family as a system. The model also helps a practitioner have a concrete concept of what should be happening in a family if it is to function properly. It also provides a map of what is wrong in a dysfunctional family.
Basic Concepts
Minuchin’s suggests that the life History of a family is a succession of experiments in living. He sees the family as an integrated whole of a system. The system also has sub-systems because its members belong to other agencies and organizations in the community which affect the family’s basic structure and pattern of organization.
The model focuses on the patterns of interaction within family members which gives clues as to the basic structure and organization of the system. Structure according to Minuchin, refers to the invisible set of functional demands that organizes the way the family interact. It could also be considered as the repetitive, organized and predictable modes of family behaviors that allows us to consider that a family has structure that allows it to function.
A family operates through repeated transactional patterns that regulate the behavior of family members. Such patterns describe how, when and to whom family members relate to. The structure of the family is governed by general systems of constraints, the “generic” constraint and the “ idiosyncratic”.
In the generic system, families have some sort of hierarchical structure according to which parents have greater authority over the children. A notion of the generic structure is the notion of the reciprocal and complementary functions discerned by labels applied to families indicating their roles and the functions. For example one parent will be over efficient while the other is inefficient; a super good child while another child is not as good.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/326456_understanding-the-family-through-the-eyes-of-structural-family-therapy#ixzz0xeFb90YI
Structural Family therapy is a model that is mostly associated with its founder and propounder, Salvador Minuchin. It is one of the most researched models and has been successfully applied in difficult families like families with juvenile delinquents, families with someone suffering from an eating disorder, families with a chemically dependant member, families of low social economic status and families with an alcoholic.
Minuchin does not ascribe to the traditional mother/father and children family as the norm. He includes single parenting as well as blended and step families. For Minchin the healthy family builds a spouse subsystem in which each accommodates, nurtures and supports the uniqueness of the other. The model recognizes that families are organisms in a continuous process of change while trying to remain the same.
The model helps people see the patterns, processes and transactions of the family as a system. The model also helps a practitioner have a concrete concept of what should be happening in a family if it is to function properly. It also provides a map of what is wrong in a dysfunctional family.
Basic Concepts
Minuchin’s suggests that the life History of a family is a succession of experiments in living. He sees the family as an integrated whole of a system. The system also has sub-systems because its members belong to other agencies and organizations in the community which affect the family’s basic structure and pattern of organization.
The model focuses on the patterns of interaction within family members which gives clues as to the basic structure and organization of the system. Structure according to Minuchin, refers to the invisible set of functional demands that organizes the way the family interact. It could also be considered as the repetitive, organized and predictable modes of family behaviors that allows us to consider that a family has structure that allows it to function.
A family operates through repeated transactional patterns that regulate the behavior of family members. Such patterns describe how, when and to whom family members relate to. The structure of the family is governed by general systems of constraints, the “generic” constraint and the “ idiosyncratic”.
In the generic system, families have some sort of hierarchical structure according to which parents have greater authority over the children. A notion of the generic structure is the notion of the reciprocal and complementary functions discerned by labels applied to families indicating their roles and the functions. For example one parent will be over efficient while the other is inefficient; a super good child while another child is not as good.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/326456_understanding-the-family-through-the-eyes-of-structural-family-therapy#ixzz0xeFb90YI
The Concept of Bowen's Family Therapy
Bowen’s family system theory deals with human behavior from a unit, in relation to their emotions.
The theory views the family as a system and based on this analysis describes the complex interactions that exist in any one unit. The way the members are connected and the way they react to one another makes the functioning of family members interdependent. “The emotional inter dependence presumably evolved to promote the cohesiveness and cooperation families require to protect, shelter, and feed their members”.
According to the theory, mental illness are seen as resulting from emotional fusion. This happens when there is an increase in the level of emotions and anxiety in the family. The least differentiated and most isolated child will present the symptoms. The adult acting out will most likely be in a dysfunctional relationship with their spouse.
8 Concepts of Bowen’s theory.
1) Triangles- This is a three person relationship created in a family system. It is considered the building block or molecule of a larger emotional system. A triangle is more stable than a dyad because it can contain more tension without involving another person. This is because the tension tends to shift around three people. An example of a triangle would be a mother, father and a child relationship.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/293438_what-is-the-concept-of-bowen-family-therapy#ixzz0xeDiUt91
The theory views the family as a system and based on this analysis describes the complex interactions that exist in any one unit. The way the members are connected and the way they react to one another makes the functioning of family members interdependent. “The emotional inter dependence presumably evolved to promote the cohesiveness and cooperation families require to protect, shelter, and feed their members”.
According to the theory, mental illness are seen as resulting from emotional fusion. This happens when there is an increase in the level of emotions and anxiety in the family. The least differentiated and most isolated child will present the symptoms. The adult acting out will most likely be in a dysfunctional relationship with their spouse.
8 Concepts of Bowen’s theory.
1) Triangles- This is a three person relationship created in a family system. It is considered the building block or molecule of a larger emotional system. A triangle is more stable than a dyad because it can contain more tension without involving another person. This is because the tension tends to shift around three people. An example of a triangle would be a mother, father and a child relationship.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/293438_what-is-the-concept-of-bowen-family-therapy#ixzz0xeDiUt91
Issues of concern in Reality Therapy
Reality therapy sees the past as the source of our wants and our ways of behaving. The focus of therapy is to learn what needs to be learned about the past but to move as quickly as feasible to empowering the client to satisfy his or her needs and wants in the present and in the future.
According to the theory, our present perceptions influence our present behaviour and it is these perceptions that the reality practitioner helps the client to work through. It is a therapy of hope based on the convictions that we are products of the past but we do not have to go on being its victims.
Choice theory provides the basis for reality therapy. The theory stresses that human behavior originates from five current sources of motivation or five human needs: Self-preservation, belonging, power or inner control, freedom or independence, and fun or enjoyment.
Most behaviors are chosen and serve two purposes: to impact the environment around us in order to satisfy the five needs and to send a message to or communicate with the surrounding world. According to the theory, if life is unsatisfactory or we are distressed or in trouble, one basic thing to check is whether we are succeeding in meeting our basic psychological needs as provided above
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/293435_my-concerns-of-reality-therapy#ixzz0xeCgXQ6l
According to the theory, our present perceptions influence our present behaviour and it is these perceptions that the reality practitioner helps the client to work through. It is a therapy of hope based on the convictions that we are products of the past but we do not have to go on being its victims.
Choice theory provides the basis for reality therapy. The theory stresses that human behavior originates from five current sources of motivation or five human needs: Self-preservation, belonging, power or inner control, freedom or independence, and fun or enjoyment.
Most behaviors are chosen and serve two purposes: to impact the environment around us in order to satisfy the five needs and to send a message to or communicate with the surrounding world. According to the theory, if life is unsatisfactory or we are distressed or in trouble, one basic thing to check is whether we are succeeding in meeting our basic psychological needs as provided above
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/293435_my-concerns-of-reality-therapy#ixzz0xeCgXQ6l
Dealing with Natural Disasters from a Mental Health perspective
Natural disasters are an inevitable part of human life. It is therefore important to learn from previous disasters as a way of preparedness to manage the aftermath of such disasters.
As disasters increase worldwide, there is greater need for effective and expedient disaster mental health response. In the last two years we have had two major world disasters in the Asian continent; the Tsunami in South East Asia and the other earthquake in China. Lately we have had more earthquakes in world, the worst of which is the one the world is dealing with currently in Haiti.
In America there have been tornadoes and fires that have caused loss of lives and left many devastated. One can therefore say that we live in a very troubled world today. While the effect of personal crisis is nonetheless painful or traumatic for the individual, the disasters that occur on a larger scale may need a different approach from the mental health professional. In the case of a huge disaster, the environment could be best described as chaotic.
In an article titled “Survivors of Natural Disasters and Mass violence” the authors consider three issues often asked by survivors which are; what psychological problems one is likely to experience as a result of surviving a disaster, 2ndly, factors increasing the risk of readjustment problems, and 3rdly things survivors can do to reduce the risk of negative psychological consequences and how best to recover from disaster stress.
The authors of the article discuss these issues at length and suggest that matters that may increase risks of adjustments problems are witnessing or experiencing the following events:
1) Life threatening danger or physical harm (especially to children)
2) Loss of loved ones and friends
3) Exposure to gruesome death, bodily injury, or dead or maimed bodies
4) Extreme environmental or human violence or destruction
5) Loss of home, valued possessions, neighborhood, or community
6) Loss of communication with or support from close relations
7) Intense emotional demands (e.g., rescue personnel and caregivers searching for possibly dying survivors or interacting with bereaved family members)
8) Extreme fatigue, weather exposure, hunger, or sleep deprivation
9) Extended exposure to danger, loss, emotional/physical strain
10) Exposure to toxic contamination such as gas or fumes, chemicals, radioactivity (Young, Bruce et al,2007)
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/232732_dealing-with-natural-disasters-from-a-mental-health-perspective#ixzz0xdyatLiM
As disasters increase worldwide, there is greater need for effective and expedient disaster mental health response. In the last two years we have had two major world disasters in the Asian continent; the Tsunami in South East Asia and the other earthquake in China. Lately we have had more earthquakes in world, the worst of which is the one the world is dealing with currently in Haiti.
In America there have been tornadoes and fires that have caused loss of lives and left many devastated. One can therefore say that we live in a very troubled world today. While the effect of personal crisis is nonetheless painful or traumatic for the individual, the disasters that occur on a larger scale may need a different approach from the mental health professional. In the case of a huge disaster, the environment could be best described as chaotic.
In an article titled “Survivors of Natural Disasters and Mass violence” the authors consider three issues often asked by survivors which are; what psychological problems one is likely to experience as a result of surviving a disaster, 2ndly, factors increasing the risk of readjustment problems, and 3rdly things survivors can do to reduce the risk of negative psychological consequences and how best to recover from disaster stress.
The authors of the article discuss these issues at length and suggest that matters that may increase risks of adjustments problems are witnessing or experiencing the following events:
1) Life threatening danger or physical harm (especially to children)
2) Loss of loved ones and friends
3) Exposure to gruesome death, bodily injury, or dead or maimed bodies
4) Extreme environmental or human violence or destruction
5) Loss of home, valued possessions, neighborhood, or community
6) Loss of communication with or support from close relations
7) Intense emotional demands (e.g., rescue personnel and caregivers searching for possibly dying survivors or interacting with bereaved family members)
8) Extreme fatigue, weather exposure, hunger, or sleep deprivation
9) Extended exposure to danger, loss, emotional/physical strain
10) Exposure to toxic contamination such as gas or fumes, chemicals, radioactivity (Young, Bruce et al,2007)
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/232732_dealing-with-natural-disasters-from-a-mental-health-perspective#ixzz0xdyatLiM
The Causes, diagnosis and treatment of autistic Disorder
Autism is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. It is estimated that three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism, and the number of diagnosed cases is rising. It is still not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both.
Common Signs of Autism:
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child.
As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement. They may also fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people.
Autistic children have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they cannot understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and do not watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging.
These children may not know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking. They have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged.
Those born with the disorder appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. For reasons that are still unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/232698_the-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-autistic-disorder#ixzz0xdvK9nZY
Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. It is estimated that three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism, and the number of diagnosed cases is rising. It is still not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both.
Common Signs of Autism:
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling. The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child.
As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement. They may also fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people.
Autistic children have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they cannot understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and do not watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging.
These children may not know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking. They have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged.
Those born with the disorder appear to have a higher than normal risk for certain co-existing conditions, including fragile X syndrome (which causes mental retardation), tuberous sclerosis (in which tumors grow on the brain), epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. For reasons that are still unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism develop epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/232698_the-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-autistic-disorder#ixzz0xdvK9nZY
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