Author: Victoria Sutton, MS Psychology

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Harmful Effects of Noise Pollution

Noise pollution (aka sound pollution) is defined as harmful environmental noises (i.e., construction equipment, lawn mowers, living near industrial areas, airports, freeways, railway systems etc.).

The following are consequences from noise pollution:

Children (more vulnerable because of developing organs)

  • Ignoring teachers in classroom because they’re conditioned to ignore sounds
  • Hearing Loss
  • Stunted reading and language skills
  • Elevated stress levels
  • Elevated blood pressure levels

Women

  • Abnormal menstruation cycles
  • Abnormal embryos
  • Miscarriages
  • Premature births

Men and Women

  • Psychological difficulties
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Blurred vision
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss
  • Sleeplessness

Vikki

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Personality Assessments in the Workplace

“Personality assessments” need to become the norm as a requirement of the pre-employment process in all organizations, not just among those for the safety and emergency workforce.  It’s a controversial issue, but there are precautions which Human Resource Management can establish in alleviating/reducing lawsuits:

  • Write up the policy, place it on Intranet and company website, and on applications which applicants have to check and sign off on before any potential interviews can take place;
  • The policy should emphasize that applicants can be re-examined after 90 days, but with an entirely different Tester, when results from initial assessment are unfavorable;
  • If the applicant refuses to adhere to examination, the process ends immediately. Documentation stating applicant’s refusal is attached with the incomplete application for record-keeping purposes;
  • If second assessment results are also unfavorable, the pre-employment process ends immediately, with these results and the former attached to the application.

Vikki

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Diabetes and Mental Health

Individuals with pre-diabetes, or the full-blown condition, may experience personality changes (i.e., mood swings, irritability). We have to pay close attention to loved ones who suddenly have personality changes and suggest immediate medical attention. While these clues are important, we have to view diabetes from another perspective to understand what may happen for loved ones taking psychiatric medications.

Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors which nurtures coronary artery disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.  The symptoms are elevated levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and excess belly fat.  Two medications closely associated with the syndrome are Clorazil (schizophrenia) and Zyprexa (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). These medications can elevate cholesterol and blood sugars five-fold, creating a profoundly dangerous health condition.

Vikki

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Anger Management

All of us become angry every now and again.  It’s a healthy emotion. We’re capable of recognizing the anger and calming ourselves down before it gets out of control. But when should individuals seek counseling before the anger governs their lives?  The following are a couple of examples:

  • A want to maintain the anger internally.
  • Repetitive arguments with spouse, friends, and co-workers.

RED ALERT. When the problem has escalated and therapy is a must:

  • Verbal violence (i.e., name calling, swearing, making threats against individuals, their property)
  • Destructive behavior such as breaking items.
  • Problems with the law.
  • Engaging in physical violence towards loved ones.

Individuals with anger management problems may have underlying depression and if  they refuse to enter therapy, may experience psychiatric difficulties because the brain chemistry has altered.

Anger management therapy will teach the patient to use anger constructively.  They will take their frustrations and develop clarity.  The patient will also learn how to discuss feelings they’re experiencing, instead of verbal violence towards others.  Finally, therapy will help the patient avoid searching for alcohol and illegal substances for a means of escape.

Vikki

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Choice

Destructive behaviors occur for many reasons: Family violence, congenital brain malfunctions, deep-brain injuries, biology, negative conformity either from family or peers, drug usage, and other explanations which the psychological community discusses on a regular basis. However, there are instances when these causations don’t apply.  As a result, every individual who exhibits these behaviors doesn’t necessarily have a personality disorder.  Rather, it’s a preference over socially-acceptable behaviors.

Vikki

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Borderline Personality Disorder

Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) have wild mood swings, short-term intense depression and anxiety, engage in risky behaviors (i.e., sexual practices, driving habits, gambling, illegal drug use), and self-injury.  They do not have a sense of themselves, and have a fear of being alone.  The individual with BPD has relationship difficulties because they antagonize people they once held in high regard.  Because they view issues as either positive or negative, they cannot find the middle ground where appropriate.  They exhibit anger management problems and can become violent.

Causes of BPD:

  • Abandonment in childhood (genuine or imagined)
  • Brain Abnormalities (i.e., emotion regulation, aggression)
  • Chemical Imbalance (i.e., serotonin)
  • Child Abuse
  • Genetics

Additional problems resulting from BPD:

  • Alcoholism
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Confrontations with Law Enforcement
  • Eating Disorders
  • Excessive Debt
  • Illegal Substance Abuse Addiction
  • Sexually-Transmitted Diseases
  • Unexpected Pregnancies

Psychotherapy and drug therapy* are treatments for BPD.

*When absolutely necessary.

Vikki

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When a Friend is Grieving*

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There are no easy answers to help a friend when they experience a death in the family. The only thing we can do is consider a few things  to help minimize suffering.  Visit often and keep them company.  We don’t even have to utter a word. Just being there is gratifying because they won’t feel alone. Purchase groceries, help with household  chores, and go along with them to run errands. When we believe they’re ready for social activities, take them someplace that’s low-key (i.e., a quiet restaurant, or invite them over for dinners with a limited number of guests).  They require a comfort zone, and we don’t want to overstimulate their emotions. If they indicate that they can’t move beyond the grief, inform them gently that it’s a process and takes awhile.  Finally, it’s good for them to discuss the beautiful memories they had with their loved one.  It allows the deceased to live forever.

*If a friend experiences mild depression for approximately six months, it’s advisable they seek counseling immediately.

Vikki