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I found blossoms on one of the mountain laurels just now.
Mountain laurels are a south Texas bush and the blossoms smell just like Grape Nehi. They are an intoxicating sign that spring is here.
Cynthia
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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
www.counselingblog.com
In light of the murders last week at NIU and the therapist in New York City, I thought I would post information on the effects of exposure to terrible and frightening events. The first article is on acute stress. I'll publish one on Post Traumatic Stress as well. My prayers are with all the families who have been touched by these tragedies.
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You are welcome to reprint and distribute these articles, just be sure to include the citation. Thanks
After a Trauma – Acute Stress Disorder
by Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC
This is the first of a three-part series focusing on trauma.
Having Acute Stress Disorder can be very frustrating. You have been through something terrible, you don’t feel like yourself, and, you want to get back to your normal life. The problem is, your regular coping skills are not working.
A person may develop Acute Stress Disorder if they:
• have experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury
• if they have witnessed actual or threatened death or serious injury of another person
We tend to associate Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with people who have been in wars. However, life-changing traumatic events can occur anywhere and include: car accidents, severe weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and violent crimes such as robbery, rape, and murder.
If you have experienced the stress of a traumatic event, you might experience the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder. These symptoms include:
• feeling numb, detached
• lack of emotions
• being in a daze, not really aware of the surroundings
• familiar things seem strange
• unable to recall important events related to the trauma
• thoughts, dreams, and/or flashbacks of the trauma
• avoiding anything that might remind them of the trauma
• easily startled
• problems with sleeping and eating
• increased attention to safety: constantly checking locks and doors
• the person has trouble doing normal or routine things
These symptoms will normally last from a few days to a few weeks. If the symptoms last longer than one month, the Acute Stress Disorder may have become Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. People with Acute Stress Disorder also have a real sense of dissociation (feeling numb, out of body, in a fog, etc.), which may or may not be present in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Some factors affect the trauma response:
• high stress levels prior to the trauma
• lack of good support systems
• the trauma is unexpected
• there is a history of trauma
• the trauma was very grotesque
• the degree of threat and loss
Even though most people who have experienced a trauma don’t want to think about or talk about the trauma, talking is one of the best ways to heal. Find a therapist in your area who specializes in trauma or anxiety issues. A therapist will help you talk about what you have experienced. Additionally, some therapists provide Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or hypnotherapy, both specialized treatments that can be very useful for treating trauma. Support groups can be helpful because you get a chance to share your own experience and hear the stories of others who have had similar experiences. Some people seek medical help and find anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety medications helpful in treating the symptoms.
You can recover from your trauma. The first step is to recognize that you have been through something very difficult, that your symptoms are a normal response to trauma, and that help is available.
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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
www.counselingblog.com
It is a happy day here - the purple martins have arrived.
I have a group of martins that come back to our martin house year after year. They arrive in February and leave before the worst heat of the summer.
Martins make the most interesting sounds, whistles, clicks, skuawks, and chirps. They have quite a presence.
I am always a bit down when they leave in the summer - they add so much to my life in the spring. They are my noisy companions while I garden or play with the dogs. And, they eat a lot of bugs including mosquitos - so they are a real help. They are called aerial insectivores.
But just as I am sad when they leave, I am completely joyous when they return.
Here is a cool link Purple Martins
This site also has a place where you can report the date that the martin scouts return to your area.
Happy "The Martins Are Back" Day!
Cynthia
This is delightful!
I am busy preparing for my workshop on Finding and Keeping the Love You Want - sponsored by Club Ed
In looking for some info - I came across some kids quotes on love, here are my favorites:
"What’s falling in love like?"
"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)
"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Leo, 7)
On love and good looks:
"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." (Gary, 7)
"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." (Christine, 9)
Why do lovers hold hands:
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)
How do you tell if adults at a restaurant are in love?
"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." (Brad, 8)
What qualities make a good lover?
"One of you should know how to write a check. Because even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." (Ava, 8)
Love Advice...
"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash." (Randy, 8)
The list was compiled by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. By the way - I know there are spaces left in tomorrow's class and if you are in the area - come to the Boerne Community Center @ 10:00 with $20 (payable to Club Ed) and join us for some fun and learning.
Cynthia
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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
www.CounselingBlog.com
