There has been a tragedy in Evanston. We have lost a 14-year-old young man in a senseless killing. More information: “Charges in slaying of boy, 14: ‘Hate, disgust, sadness'” via Chicago Tribune “Man held in Evanston teen’s death was seeking revenge, prosecutors say” via Chicago Tribune Whenever there is a loss in the community it feels like a loss of a family member. We identify with our communities in such a way that we vicariously experience tragedy. Those of us
Traumatic events bring up all past traumatic events. The article suggests that behavioral therapy aimed at desensitization is optimal. This is not correct. The most effective form of treatment for trauma is the activation of mourning. It is only in the guided mourning process that the current event and the PAST events that have emerged alongside of it can be resolved. Mourning cannot be done alone but needs to be facilitated in a safe, secure, neutral environment with a neutral,
When we feel the heart crushing news of a violent event and the horror associated with events like the most recent “Batman Movie Massacre” we become sad, anxiety increases, and we feel the depth of connection to those we do not know. They are complete strangers, except in how they are reflections of those in our circle of family and friends, despite all of our differences. We can literally feel on a cellular level the fear and pain of those
In some ways this is very exciting news. There is an emerging body of evidence leading to the theory that intelligence depends on the brain’s ability to integrate information. This information is gathered from verbal, visual, spatial, and executive processes. Furthermore, there is ongoing exploration into how the brain, genes, nutrition and environment interact to shape our continued evolution. I was hoping for a more simplified, concrete location and definition of intelligence; of course, this is not how our brains
This article gets mixed reviews from me. I agree with the final conclusion that preschool is an essential step toward eliminating the achievement gap. However, the presented theory that money automatically gives children access to enrichment, I find faulty. In my opinion it is the interaction of parents and children that set the stage for enthusiasm or lack thereof. Children are born with a natural curiosity and quest for knowledge. It is up to parents to encourage and join in
I was deeply moved reading the description of the book “Regrets of the Dying” by Bronnie Ware. If I could, I would change the title to “Hopes for the Living”. If we could all take a moment and reflect on the priorities of our own lives I think we could see that these “regrets” are really lessons to be learned. I recently went to hear the Dali Lama and connected his message to the message in this book. To be
Stress has long been denoted as the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome which produces cortisol, a hormone proven to be destructive to overall health. In this article, further research is indicating that there are actually key regions in the brain which are being directly affected by the level of stress we experience in our lives. Talking therapy has been proven to reduce stress. In addition, medicine is also showing that meditation, yoga, and cardiovascular exercise can greatly assist in lowering the
In the 1940’s, Anna Freud described adolescence as ‘developmental psychopathology.’ Parents of teenagers frequently will describe their sweet children as having become alien. This article provides additional insight into this developmental period by exploring the interactional parts of the brain. One of the most potent lines, “If you think of the teenage brain as a car, today’s adolescents acquire an accelerator a long time before they can steer and brake” brings us up to date with current adolescents and
Recent research is indicating the possibility of an actual ‘illness of the brain’ which can come on suddenly and tragically, and lead the person to suicide. The article below is told in first person by a professor who is fortunate enough to look back on experiencing this phenomenon. It appears almost like a ‘possession’ – leading me to remember how ancient peoples described emotional illness as being possessed by the devil. This gentleman describes feeling led into a comatose or
“Been There, Done That: Long-gone Family Issues can Resurface in Work Life” Elizabeth Starr Miller | February 16, 2006 Everyone has experienced tense, stressful, and strained work environments, either by not getting along with colleagues or by getting stuck in the middle of an office feud. But according to Diane Ofarim, a licensed professional counselor at the Lakeshore Counseling Center in Evanston, the key to understanding and surviving a tense work situation is to understand what part you are playing in
