http://www.psychsense.com/blog Crisis Intervention & Prevention, Reducing Stress, Self Awareness, & Mental Health as a Life Goal Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:37:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Virginia Duffy is Heading To Africa   I am am excited to tell you that I will be heading for Africa for 3 months to do volunteer work with children. This has been a long-term dream of combining my love of volunteer work with my desire to see this wonder continent and ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/21/volunteering-in-kenya-trip-fast-approaching/ Courage is not not being afraid. Courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. Ask James Bond.  Here is a great interview that can be a lesson in reality. Click on read more and share it if you like it. read more | digg story http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/21/we-all-get-scared-sometime-even-james-bond/ I just finished presenting four talks for the Pensylvania State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) conference in Harrisburg. I spoke about Dealing with Emotions During Emergencies Dealing with the Angry Person and Preventing Escalation Dealing with the Confused Person Managing the Hysterical Patient. Watch my site for postings on some of these topics.    I want to share some of this great experience. ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/16/ems-emts-and-paramedics/ I was pretty concerned  when I read this Time article about soldiers being medicated for burnout or compassion fatigue or stress and many other psychological concerns. How can any thinking human being be in a battle zone, risking their life and seeing others killed not be distressed?  We are fooling outself if we ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/10/is-there-a-crisis-in-overuse-of-medication-for-troups/     Sorry I am a little late with this blog posting. I just got home from a trip to Long Island where I grew up. In a small beach town on the south shore of Suffolk county I spent 4 days reminiscing and experiencing many bittersweet memories. This visit I saw some ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/30/reminiscence-going-home-again/        Buried at Work?            What is Burnout? Burnout is physical and emotion depletion caused by an intense involvement in a situation in which the person has little control and recognition. Burnout is most likely to occur in situations where an individual perceives little effect from his or her efforts. Burnout can be caused ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/20/are-you-experincing-burn-out-find-out-here/   I found an online article listing questions parents should ask before considering psychiatric hospitalization for their children.  I think there are some qood questions here, but I would like to add my 2 cents to certain questions.  In the spirit of full disclosure I am a Psychiatric NP with many years experience ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/13/the-reality-of-psychiatric-hospitalization-for-children-for-severe-crisis-only/ Research has shown those who are pessimistic have a higher risk of dying young. Those who are more optimistic have better health, and better immune systems. Although pessimism may not be easy to change, you can tone it down with practice. No one expects or wants you to be a Pollyanna, ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/08/go-ahead-be-an-optimist-find-something-positive-in-difficult-situations/ There is a long complicated article in the NY Times today about suicide and impulsivity that is worth a read (if you can manage it.) "Suicide autopsy" studies can give us lots of information, but no one really knows what goes through the head of a person just before he or she dies from ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/07/06/suicide-crisis-we-cant-always-understand-why/ Question and Answer Post From a Reader named "Mary" Please help me! I have been in a relationship with my live in boyfriend about 3 yrs. He is like having another child around. He does not help with things and expects me to take care of everything. He has a bad temper ... http://www.psychsense.com/blog/index.php/2008/06/28/love-crisis-boyfriend-threatens-suicide-to-keep-her/