Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category
Farrah- Viva España ? asked:
I’ve been keeping my troubles to myself for 4 years now. I can’t keep going like this anymore…who should I talk to if I don’t trust my family and my so-called friends?
I’ve been keeping my troubles to myself for 4 years now. I can’t keep going like this anymore…who should I talk to if I don’t trust my family and my so-called friends?
:/
Hmm okay I’ll try to see a therapist and counselor….just maybe!
Sucrose- I think my name is arabic, but I’m half English half Spanish!
Tracey Zwilling
hi2felix asked:
Sadly, a family member is ill and important issues have arose; looking for good advice, suggestions & guidance. Makes me think about my own living trust and “what ifs” as a single mommy
Pasquale Quesnel
Sadly, a family member is ill and important issues have arose; looking for good advice, suggestions & guidance. Makes me think about my own living trust and “what ifs” as a single mommy
Pasquale Quesnel
Emily E asked:
its not like there is a big reason i just dont trust and it causes anxiety mostly when i get a bf.how do i overcome this ? i dont think i even know the difference between following my gut insticts on people and being paranoid and insecure
please dont tell me i need to be medicated because i dont believe in that.that will just temporarily hide my real issues
Kristina
its not like there is a big reason i just dont trust and it causes anxiety mostly when i get a bf.how do i overcome this ? i dont think i even know the difference between following my gut insticts on people and being paranoid and insecure
please dont tell me i need to be medicated because i dont believe in that.that will just temporarily hide my real issues
Kristina
Nola asked:
How many of you are survivors of abuse, and no longer have contact with your family because you refused to PRETEND the abuse never happened, or could not heal around family members who PROTECTED the abuser?
How many of you are survivors of abuse, and no longer have contact with your family because you refused to PRETEND the abuse never happened, or could not heal around family members who PROTECTED the abuser?
Have you had family members tell you they would DENY the abuse if it came up, or who flat out LIED to others for the purpose of discrediting you, to once again protect the abuser who was their spouse, sibling, child, ect? It’s the ultimate betrayal to have an entire family deny your abuse knowing you were the victim.
I’ve forgiven so that I can move on with my life, and heal my trust issues and fears of relationships, but would still like to hear from other survivors.
The last time I spoke with my mom about the abuse, was when she went on and on about how fortunate we were that my uncle took care of us after my mom found the courage to leave my abusive dad. After 10 minutes of hearing her praise him, I said mom, have you forgotten the abuse, and she says to me, that’s in the past, stop being a trouble maker and get over it. I had to accept, that some relationships are too far gone to be healed, and it’s best to move on and let God handle things in his way.
Pablo Warhola
m v asked:
i have a fantastic family, they help me out and are usualu kind, hell their better them most peoples families. but yet i **** them. i know pwoplw with not very nice parents and yet they still love their parents. i on the other have hape both of mine. i really **** my father right no for lettime me live with him. iam 20 years old i should hbe on my own no living with him but he says its ok, every one says its ok but to me its an insult like saying iam too dumb to be on my own. another example is how people are close to their extended family, yes i love my grand parents and aunts and such but it would not hurt me the least to never see or speak to them. when i left for 5 months the only reasion i had any contact with any one in my family is cause they askem me too not cause i felt like it. any insight and yes i know my grammers bad.
Pierre Germano
i have a fantastic family, they help me out and are usualu kind, hell their better them most peoples families. but yet i **** them. i know pwoplw with not very nice parents and yet they still love their parents. i on the other have hape both of mine. i really **** my father right no for lettime me live with him. iam 20 years old i should hbe on my own no living with him but he says its ok, every one says its ok but to me its an insult like saying iam too dumb to be on my own. another example is how people are close to their extended family, yes i love my grand parents and aunts and such but it would not hurt me the least to never see or speak to them. when i left for 5 months the only reasion i had any contact with any one in my family is cause they askem me too not cause i felt like it. any insight and yes i know my grammers bad.
Pierre Germano
i got BUSTED by Dr. Phil™ asked:
im 15.
well my family always has to tell everyone everything i do or what i say. my cousins always call me emo because i dont like being around them bc they always try to embarrass me. my sister (shes 17) has 2 tell them everything i do so she and them make fun of me and shes mocks me when i talk. i guess because of my voice which makes me not want to talk.
im 15.
well my family always has to tell everyone everything i do or what i say. my cousins always call me emo because i dont like being around them bc they always try to embarrass me. my sister (shes 17) has 2 tell them everything i do so she and them make fun of me and shes mocks me when i talk. i guess because of my voice which makes me not want to talk.
my sister always yells at me and hits me when i want 2 be alone or when i ignore her. she always says i should go die or im so lazy and immature. before i didnt answer her phone so she came into my room and started hitting me. and now she always tries to hug me and says “were you not hugged as a child?” but i think because of her is that i **** when people try to touch me and i **** when people are behind me.
i hear my mom talking on the phone and shes talking about me or my sister comes in my room and tells me that my mom told her something.
& i dont really talk 2 my friends anymore besides a few who i trust & dont know them.
Kimberlee Cripe
Exotic wonder asked:
like you’ve been raped, assaulted, teased/ridiculed by others/not accepted for years, had money problems, emotionally abusive parents, etc. how can you get over this pain in your life to love again and trust again, when your family/boyfriends have abused you and let you down? you feel its all about you surviving, and taking care of you, because you had no one else.
Ezra Derian
like you’ve been raped, assaulted, teased/ridiculed by others/not accepted for years, had money problems, emotionally abusive parents, etc. how can you get over this pain in your life to love again and trust again, when your family/boyfriends have abused you and let you down? you feel its all about you surviving, and taking care of you, because you had no one else.
Ezra Derian
kat12 asked:
Ive tried slowly to trust people and sometimes I have gotten majorly burned in the crucial moments of opening up. How do I teach my brain to trust when I dont have a base to fall back on and say well at least I had my family to trust?
Beau Bugler
Ive tried slowly to trust people and sometimes I have gotten majorly burned in the crucial moments of opening up. How do I teach my brain to trust when I dont have a base to fall back on and say well at least I had my family to trust?
Beau Bugler
Samson Omotosho, PhD, APRN/PMHN asked:
Abuse & Violence in the Family
(Dr. Samson Omotosho, PhD, APRN/PMHN)
Introduction: Abuse and violence in the family refer to physically and emotionally harmful behaviors that occur between family and household members. It includes child abuse, child neglect, intimate partners abuse and violence, marital rape, and elder abuse. It could be a learned behavior that can be unlearned through therapy. Perpetrators try to isolate the family to keep it secret and avoid sanctions. They usually have some power and control over the other members of the family. They may rationalize the violence with their drug use. The use of cocaine, PCP, amphetamine etc may increase violent behavior.
Forms of Abuse: Physical abuse includes hitting, punching, shoving, stabbing, shooting, kicking, and withholding medication, wheelchair, food, and fluids. Sexual abuse includes coercion, marital rape, and withholding ***. Psychological abuse includes threat, harassment, and blackmail. Emotional abuse includes name-calling, insults, and ridicule. Economic abuse includes total control over finance, running up bills, forbidding school or work.
Myths and Reality About Violence: Family violence occurs at all levels of society. Separation or divorce may not end violence. Abuser does not need to be provoked. Some survivors wrongly tend to blame self. Treat the violence but also the alcohol, drug, stress, and mental health problems if any. Violence occurs between gays and ******** too. Abused women are discouraged from disclosure by threats, fear, denial and disbelief expressed by ‘confidants’.
Models of Intervention: The Paternalistic model assumes that the clinician has more knowledge than the patient; that the survivor is responsible for ending the violence; that the clinician should give advice and sympathy; and see the patient as a victim. Whereas, the Empowerment model, which is better, assumes that the clinician should mutually share knowledge with the patient, plan strategies with the patient, respect patient’s competence, experience and strengths, and see the patient as survivor.
Response of Survivors to Violence: Physical signs include injuries at multiple sites in various stages of healing (head, neck, face, throat, sexual organs), headache, insomnia, and stress. Behavioral sign is that the individual does not leave the abuser or leaves and returns before making a final break. Psychological signs include delayed reaction, depression, lowered self esteem, attributions e.g. self-blame, impaired school or work performance and conduct, poor concentration and poor problem solving.
Why Individual Does Not Leave the Abuser? Abused individuals do not leave the abuser for any of many reasons, which include fear of being stalked and killed (which is a realistic fear), strong emotional attachment to the abuser, determination to end the abuse, sanctions present in the couple’s culture, fear of stigma, lack of resources to live away from the abuser, and consideration of what will happen to her children if she leaves. She may leave and return, thinking, “Maybe he will change”.
Child Abuse & Neglect: In every state, child abuse and neglect are must be reported. Types of abuse include child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child emotional abuse, and child neglect. Child that witnesses family violence may also suffer abuse.
Child Sexual Abuse: This is the involvement of children in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend and to which they do not or cannot freely give consent. This violates child’s trust in the adult that is supposed to protect him/her. Threat to the child, pet, and others keeps the child quiet. It results in confusion, shame, and helplessness. Its effect may last a lifetime and affect mental health. It may be guarded as a family secret.
Observable Signs of Sexual Abuse: The observable signs of child sexual abuse include physical aggression, excessive masturbation, social withdrawal, low self esteem, impaired school performance, sleep disturbance, STD’s, bleeding, soreness, itching, UTI, pregnancy, bruises, swelling, redness, fracture, burns, and unkempt appearance.
School Violence: School violence is usually due to child drug use, child’s access to guns, antisocial and impulsive behaviors, family dysfunction, community unresponsiveness, interpersonal disputes, and bullying and harassment by peers.
Child Abduction: Most abduction is done by a parent. 70% are by fathers, 25% by their mothers. Parents that are likely to abduct include those that have threatened or attempted it in the past, suspect abuse by the other parent, may be paranoid, may intend to use it as revenge, punishment, trophy, or one that strongly believes that child be raised in his or her home country.
Child Abuse Assessment and Intervention: Explore and be aware of your own attitude to abuse survivors so as not to be judgmental. Do a thorough history & physical assessment. Use private, quiet uninterrupted environment. Honestly state the purpose of the interview. Inform victim of the pending physical assessment. Use a calm and supportive approach
If possible, interview child separately first before joint interview with parent or guardian. Pay attention to child’s affect (look) and behavior, mother’s understanding of the problem, discrepancies in their stories, and parent’s emotional responses. Document your assessment fully. Report suspected abuse to CPS. Coordinate services such as further assessment, psychological testing, individual psychotherapy, family psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): IPV is a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior between intimate and dating partners. Abuse of female partners is the more prevalent IPV. Female violence is more often in self-defense. Many IPV end in homicide or homicide-suicide. Leaving or an attempt to leave by the victim increases homicide risk. There is a higher homicide risk with handgun, history of suicidal ideation or attempt, battering during pregnancy, sexual abuse, substance use, extreme jealousy, and controlling behavior (“if I can’t have you, no one can”). Few women kill their abusers if there is no intervention. Assessment of IPV should be part of mental health assessment. Ask partners about history of conflicts, “pushing and shoving”, and quality of relationship. Observe for hesitation, looking away, and unease. Be supportive, let victim know she is not alone. Describe and map the extent of injuries. Assess for attribution e.g. self-blame. Assess for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. If patient is the abuser, assess potential for further violence. Consult legal advisor for “Duty to Warn”. Courts have made it mandatory abusers (happens to be mostly men) to be treated. Treatment includes confronting the violence, affirming that responsibility lies with the abuser, behavior therapy, anger control, attitude change to women, couple counseling, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Empower the woman, using laws, community resources, support groups, and safe shelters. Mutually set goals with the victim. Mutually consider and choose from options. Help mobilize natural, social and professional supports.
Rape and Sexual Assault: This affects men, women and children, especially women and children. Sexual assault is a forced act of sexual contact without consent. It is usually done to humiliate, defile or dominate the victim. **** is a felony, yet majority is unreported. Survivors of marital **** do not seek care because of embarrassment and humiliation. Careful assessment and questioning is needed. In caring for the victim, listen, be nonjudgmental, and provide emotional support. Document your observation and assessment fully. Help collect evidence if patient chooses to litigate. In the acute stage, assess for fear, disorganization, shock, and restlessness. In the second stage, assess for flashbacks, phobias to places and people, and sexual difficulties. Encourage the victim to discuss feelings. Explore options e.g. changing phone number. Explore available community services and support groups. Refer for physical treatment and psychotherapy. Plan for a follow-up phone contact in a few days.
Elder Abuse: There are about 5 million abused elderly persons in the US annually. Spouse abuse overlaps with elder abuse
The abused does not report for fear of being abandoned to a nursing home or being isolated. Signs include bruises on arms, wrists, ankles, face lacerations, vaginal lacerations, fractures, malnutrition, poor hygiene, dehydration, flinching and shrinking away in the presence of abuser. Help and care include reporting a suspected abuse to the Adult Protective Services (APS), counseling, psychotherapy, substance abuse and treatment of the abuser, if necessary.
Reference: Stuart, G. W. & Laraia, M. T. (2005). Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Keiko Palu
Abuse & Violence in the Family
(Dr. Samson Omotosho, PhD, APRN/PMHN)
Introduction: Abuse and violence in the family refer to physically and emotionally harmful behaviors that occur between family and household members. It includes child abuse, child neglect, intimate partners abuse and violence, marital rape, and elder abuse. It could be a learned behavior that can be unlearned through therapy. Perpetrators try to isolate the family to keep it secret and avoid sanctions. They usually have some power and control over the other members of the family. They may rationalize the violence with their drug use. The use of cocaine, PCP, amphetamine etc may increase violent behavior.
Forms of Abuse: Physical abuse includes hitting, punching, shoving, stabbing, shooting, kicking, and withholding medication, wheelchair, food, and fluids. Sexual abuse includes coercion, marital rape, and withholding ***. Psychological abuse includes threat, harassment, and blackmail. Emotional abuse includes name-calling, insults, and ridicule. Economic abuse includes total control over finance, running up bills, forbidding school or work.
Myths and Reality About Violence: Family violence occurs at all levels of society. Separation or divorce may not end violence. Abuser does not need to be provoked. Some survivors wrongly tend to blame self. Treat the violence but also the alcohol, drug, stress, and mental health problems if any. Violence occurs between gays and ******** too. Abused women are discouraged from disclosure by threats, fear, denial and disbelief expressed by ‘confidants’.
Models of Intervention: The Paternalistic model assumes that the clinician has more knowledge than the patient; that the survivor is responsible for ending the violence; that the clinician should give advice and sympathy; and see the patient as a victim. Whereas, the Empowerment model, which is better, assumes that the clinician should mutually share knowledge with the patient, plan strategies with the patient, respect patient’s competence, experience and strengths, and see the patient as survivor.
Response of Survivors to Violence: Physical signs include injuries at multiple sites in various stages of healing (head, neck, face, throat, sexual organs), headache, insomnia, and stress. Behavioral sign is that the individual does not leave the abuser or leaves and returns before making a final break. Psychological signs include delayed reaction, depression, lowered self esteem, attributions e.g. self-blame, impaired school or work performance and conduct, poor concentration and poor problem solving.
Why Individual Does Not Leave the Abuser? Abused individuals do not leave the abuser for any of many reasons, which include fear of being stalked and killed (which is a realistic fear), strong emotional attachment to the abuser, determination to end the abuse, sanctions present in the couple’s culture, fear of stigma, lack of resources to live away from the abuser, and consideration of what will happen to her children if she leaves. She may leave and return, thinking, “Maybe he will change”.
Child Abuse & Neglect: In every state, child abuse and neglect are must be reported. Types of abuse include child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child emotional abuse, and child neglect. Child that witnesses family violence may also suffer abuse.
Child Sexual Abuse: This is the involvement of children in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend and to which they do not or cannot freely give consent. This violates child’s trust in the adult that is supposed to protect him/her. Threat to the child, pet, and others keeps the child quiet. It results in confusion, shame, and helplessness. Its effect may last a lifetime and affect mental health. It may be guarded as a family secret.
Observable Signs of Sexual Abuse: The observable signs of child sexual abuse include physical aggression, excessive masturbation, social withdrawal, low self esteem, impaired school performance, sleep disturbance, STD’s, bleeding, soreness, itching, UTI, pregnancy, bruises, swelling, redness, fracture, burns, and unkempt appearance.
School Violence: School violence is usually due to child drug use, child’s access to guns, antisocial and impulsive behaviors, family dysfunction, community unresponsiveness, interpersonal disputes, and bullying and harassment by peers.
Child Abduction: Most abduction is done by a parent. 70% are by fathers, 25% by their mothers. Parents that are likely to abduct include those that have threatened or attempted it in the past, suspect abuse by the other parent, may be paranoid, may intend to use it as revenge, punishment, trophy, or one that strongly believes that child be raised in his or her home country.
Child Abuse Assessment and Intervention: Explore and be aware of your own attitude to abuse survivors so as not to be judgmental. Do a thorough history & physical assessment. Use private, quiet uninterrupted environment. Honestly state the purpose of the interview. Inform victim of the pending physical assessment. Use a calm and supportive approach
If possible, interview child separately first before joint interview with parent or guardian. Pay attention to child’s affect (look) and behavior, mother’s understanding of the problem, discrepancies in their stories, and parent’s emotional responses. Document your assessment fully. Report suspected abuse to CPS. Coordinate services such as further assessment, psychological testing, individual psychotherapy, family psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): IPV is a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior between intimate and dating partners. Abuse of female partners is the more prevalent IPV. Female violence is more often in self-defense. Many IPV end in homicide or homicide-suicide. Leaving or an attempt to leave by the victim increases homicide risk. There is a higher homicide risk with handgun, history of suicidal ideation or attempt, battering during pregnancy, sexual abuse, substance use, extreme jealousy, and controlling behavior (“if I can’t have you, no one can”). Few women kill their abusers if there is no intervention. Assessment of IPV should be part of mental health assessment. Ask partners about history of conflicts, “pushing and shoving”, and quality of relationship. Observe for hesitation, looking away, and unease. Be supportive, let victim know she is not alone. Describe and map the extent of injuries. Assess for attribution e.g. self-blame. Assess for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. If patient is the abuser, assess potential for further violence. Consult legal advisor for “Duty to Warn”. Courts have made it mandatory abusers (happens to be mostly men) to be treated. Treatment includes confronting the violence, affirming that responsibility lies with the abuser, behavior therapy, anger control, attitude change to women, couple counseling, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Empower the woman, using laws, community resources, support groups, and safe shelters. Mutually set goals with the victim. Mutually consider and choose from options. Help mobilize natural, social and professional supports.
Rape and Sexual Assault: This affects men, women and children, especially women and children. Sexual assault is a forced act of sexual contact without consent. It is usually done to humiliate, defile or dominate the victim. **** is a felony, yet majority is unreported. Survivors of marital **** do not seek care because of embarrassment and humiliation. Careful assessment and questioning is needed. In caring for the victim, listen, be nonjudgmental, and provide emotional support. Document your observation and assessment fully. Help collect evidence if patient chooses to litigate. In the acute stage, assess for fear, disorganization, shock, and restlessness. In the second stage, assess for flashbacks, phobias to places and people, and sexual difficulties. Encourage the victim to discuss feelings. Explore options e.g. changing phone number. Explore available community services and support groups. Refer for physical treatment and psychotherapy. Plan for a follow-up phone contact in a few days.
Elder Abuse: There are about 5 million abused elderly persons in the US annually. Spouse abuse overlaps with elder abuse
The abused does not report for fear of being abandoned to a nursing home or being isolated. Signs include bruises on arms, wrists, ankles, face lacerations, vaginal lacerations, fractures, malnutrition, poor hygiene, dehydration, flinching and shrinking away in the presence of abuser. Help and care include reporting a suspected abuse to the Adult Protective Services (APS), counseling, psychotherapy, substance abuse and treatment of the abuser, if necessary.
Reference: Stuart, G. W. & Laraia, M. T. (2005). Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Keiko Palu