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I received a nice note about this blog - CounselingBlog - being included in 100 Best Blogs for Relationship Advice
What a cool thing to be included in the list. Someone even sent me a note congratulating me on being #2 in my category. I love the blogosphere.
There WILL be new posts on relationships and improving your quality of life coming next week.
Cynthia
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
Rhinoceros Beetle
This beetle and some of his/her closest friends have moved into my garden. Apparently, they are not dangerous in any way. In fact, I read on the internet that some children keep them as pets in other countries.
I am not a bug person, and I have no plans to keep this creature as a pet - its a bit scary to me, but I think we can happily coexist.
I will be back to writing counseling articles next week - just needed a spring break of sorts and thought ya'll would enjoy the little updates from the garden, iphone, etc.
Cynthia
When are those tomatoes gonna be ready for me?
I managed to get my iPhone replaced for less than full price - which made me really happy. I even got to see the special water sensor that lets them know that the iphone has been damaged by water - er- green tea.
It is funny how challenging it can be to change a small habit.
I am now having to learn a new way to get my cup of tea and my iPhone into the counseling office. Normally, I take Ms. iPhone out of the office between sessions to return calls and emails. Then, I take it back in when I return with my tea. But now, I am not carrying it on top of my cup.
Maybe a little pouch or something to carry it in would be safer. Hey I could start a little cottage industry creating stylish iPhone pouches for tea-drinking therapists...
It has been quite a week.
Cynthia
Yesterday, I dropped my iPhone into my cup of green tea. Here is how it happened...
So, even though it has worked every day for months and months, it is not a good idea to carry your iPhone on top of your tea cup.
There has been some discussion about the possibility of this being the Universe's way of encouraging me to give up my technology. If so, I get it, really I do
I am way too attached to my iPhone, (or former iPhone). However, I am fairly sure I could've cut back on my technology use on my own without the dramatic and possibly traumatizing events of yesterday afternoon.
Today, I am heading back to the apple store to buy my 2nd iPhone - I had hopes of getting the next generation iPhone that is rumoured to come out this summer - but alas, I'll be spending that iPhone budget today instead. I wonder if we'll all be as excited about this 2nd iPhone purchase as we were last summer?
Cynthia
I enjoy reading Serious Eats on my day off. I just read an interesting piece called,"Self Reflections by the Cookie Monster" I thought you might enjoy it - or at least, it might give you something to think about as you go through your day.
Cookie Monster asks, "Is Me Really Monster?"
Cynthia
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www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
I just read an article by NY Times food writer, Mark Bittman. I love Mark Bittman, he focuses on simple, good food and his recipes are inviting. He also posts short cooking videos on the Times website that are instructive and often entertaining.
This morning, I read a piece he wrote about taking a break from electronics. A weekly sabbath from his computer, PDA, telephone, you name it. I found that I resonated with the article, and am also considering giving up my electronic friends one day a week, or at least trying it out.
As I typed that last sentence, my stomach clenched, and I caught myself holding my breath - ye gads, this is going to be a challenge.
"Hello, my name is Cynthia, and I am addicted to my technology..."
Here is the article, in case you want to read it.
I Need a Virtual Break, No Really
I would love to read your comments on this. I am off to see if my iPHone actually has an on/off switch.
Cynthia
*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
www.counselingblog.com
Its looking grim
Here's Rob solving a problem for me. I heart those Apple guys
I have a lovely new garden, complete with a high fence to discourage my "friends" - the deer, from eating the harvest.
Cynthia
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
*************
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
