Summaries-Philly321

Is PTSD Contagious?

It seems counterintuitive that we allow ordinary individuals to enter harmful, chaotic environments that ultimately affect both their physical and mental health in an effort to protect other people.  And to then assume, that after they endure life altering events, that they will either return to their former lives or even maintain a normal, healthy lifestyle without any effect upon their family members.

Secondary traumatic stress develops with people who have a close relationship with someone who has fallen victim to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not physically contagious, the mental impact can develop on a day to day basis in the form of hypervigilance, which is an increased level of anxiety that causes someone to be vigilant of his or her surroundings. The problem goes beyond a soldier’s state of mental health and spills into the lives of the people around them.  They can develop similar symptoms subconsciously via exposure to loud, disruptive behavior.

Over 30 percent of the spouses of soldiers diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following the Vietnam War were diagnosed with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder. More recently, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has nearly tripled in size due to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  Consider the growing number of spouses and other family members who have been exposed to or are expected to be compliant with those who have been diagnosed with this disease. These people need to be supportive and need support for themselves at the same time. Sadly, this situation is frequently one-sided in favor of the soldier diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

It also seems counterintuitive that the U.S. Army only assists families of active-duty personnel. They currently do not take action to treat the side effects associated with being in an unpredictable environment, often for more than one tour of duty, that can cause a spouse or child to inherit similar characteristics. It is expected that families can withstand the secondhand effects from war and grow into normal, functioning people. The U.S. Army’s narrow-mindedness and lack of expanded focus and funding has allowed for an increase in Secondary Traumatic Stress by thrusting bilious soldiers into a house, which often results in a negative, distressing environment for the people around them.

Nevertheless, the United States of America prides themselves as being protectors of their country, but neglect to support and understand, or even acknowledge, the families who face the actual consequences of war without any moral and mental support.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/ptsd-epidemic-military-vets-families

The Cruelest Show on Earth

It seems counterintuitive that many wild animals are forced into captivity, removed from their natural habitat, to become a human spectacle on the premise of profit and amusement. Then, those same animals are expected to perform in the same way repeatedly without showing any signs of unease or unpredictability. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what is happening.

When Kenny, a three-year-old Asian elephant, passed away in a pool of blood following a show held by Feld Entertainment, it was discovered he did not die of natural causes. Kenny was cleared for his show even after showing signs of blood loss and discomfort.  His handlers disregarded federal regulations requiring that a sick elephant must get prompt medical attention and approval by a veterinarian.

The people of Feld Entertainment viewed Kenny more as an item, while pushing the animal to a dangerous level, to imply that he was only good for the money he brought in. As usual, we fail to see the beauty that these animals possess by virtue of our power over them, only to enhance our lives by abusing them and forcing them into an act they had no business being in.

Imagine what we ask of these animals when we make them perform through outrageous, life threatening illnesses. We insist that these forms of senseless enjoyment are worthy by purchasing tickets to a show than we neglect to take into consideration the overall well-being of the elephant because our personal satisfaction has been met. Kenny’s blood is on our hands.

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2011/10/ringling-bros-elephant-abuse

The Surprising Science of Happiness

It seems counterintuitive that happiness can be attained through a negative, life altering event on the basis of our mindset to persevere, to fully believe, by allowing ourselves to achieve serenity and be able to accept the lives we are given. However, that exactly what is happening.

A survey was introduced to both people who won the lottery and to others who have become paraplegic. The survey required both to talk about their overall happiness a year after their experiences and their answers were exactly the same; they were both happy. The survey, perhaps, was given to engage our minds and transform the way we view a certain aspect of life. While being paraplegic is certainly frightful, they were forced to look at their disability in a positive light rather than drown in their own misery.

The Impact Bias is the tendency to overestimate the hedonic impact of future events. That means that our brains allow us to predetermine the effects of something and avoid it to maintain a healthy, effective lifestyle. What does it mean if we cannot avoid the situation? The purpose of the Impact Bias is to force people to think about the other side of picture and to help cope with an event such as living with a disability.

We expect paraplegics to be unhappy based on their inability to perform normal activities and assume that a life altering event has one side and leads to a variety of damaging side effects like suicide and depression. Happiness lies in the mind of someone who is stuck in a position where all they have left is to be positive. Yet, we remain a country who disparages the idea of positivity by slapping a label on someone who is supposed to be miserable, but has used their situation as a source of happiness within itself.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy#t-180598