MONTREAL PSYCHOLOGIST: PTSD AND HAIITI

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder, which is experienced in response to a traumatic event such as near-death experience, being raped, violated etc. PTSD leaves the individual with a loss of sense of safety and security, feeling detached from self, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance (heightened alertness) among many other symptoms, and is accompanied by depression and anxiety.

PTSD affects the person’s level of functioning, its relationships and physical health.

In addition to the person being directly affected by the trauma, also people, who are helping could be affected. This condition is also called “vicarious trauma”. Given the recent tragedies in Haiiti, a lot of attention has been given to the victims from Haiiti and interventions have been in place to help. It is; however, important to recognize that first line workers such as the policemen, firemen, doctors, and volunteers from across the world could be experiencing “vicarious trauma”, and as

such be in need for proper medical and supportive attention. The symptoms of post trauma usually subside within 3 months, and as such a diagnosis of PTSD is only accurate if these symptoms continue after this time frame.

If you see signs of disturbance in your loved ones, friends or neighbors, who just returned from Haiiti, you might want to pay extra attention and encourage them to seek professional help if the symptoms do not subside after 3 months.

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Montreal Psychologist: Decision Making Series # 3

Decision Making Process: Step-By-Step

Being indecisive is one of the disturbing symptoms of depression and anxiety, which often leaves individuals feeling trapped and stuck in their life. But it does not have to be this way. You can minimize your anxiety of making decisions by following certain strategies as explained below.

1. Define your objectives

This is the first and very important step in the process of decision-making. When we are faced to make a decision, it is important to highlight what is it that we want to achieve or to avoid. If your objectives in the process of decision-making is not clear, you are like a pilot without a destination or plan, not knowing where you are heading.

2. Define your options

What are your options? How many choices do you have? We always a have a choice even if it does not seem like it at first. For instance, a woman with 3 young children is considering leaving her abusive husband. She believes that with 3 children and no job she has no choice than to sacrifice her life and stay with her husband. What she is not realizing is that she has other choices but she chooses the most familiar, convenient and less threatening one: no change! She could for instance decide to leave and go on welfare, or get a part-time job, or ask a family member for help with the children etc. These choices might not be perfect but, nonetheless they exist and it is important to realize that.

3. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Make a list of pros and cons for each option. Do not make this in your head, as we tend to forget. In addition, writing and putting things on paper make it more objective and as such you are more likely to recognize realistic or unrealistic ideas.

4. Choose the best option

Be aware that there are no perfect solutions. In every decision-making you are giving up something for the gain of something else. Thus, if you are afraid that you might lose something or are not willing to give up something you are not being realistic. However, going through step 3 helps you weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Pick the one that brings you closer to your objectives (step 1). You might even realize that combining options might be another way to optimize your decision.

5. Take action

After going through the first 4 steps, you are ready to put your decision in action. This is the step that means you are wiling to own your decision and ready to face the potential consequences. You have to accept that we do not have control over everything and as such we have to accept certain levels of uncertainty and have confidence that we will deal with them as they come up.

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Decision Making Series # 2

Complex Decisions Any type of decision that results in major life changes such as changing or quitting your job, leaving your partner, choosing a program to study etc are considered complex decisions. Making complex decisions can be overwhelming, and as a result you might feel paralyzed and sometimes anxiety and depression may follow. Thus, it is important to follow a logical and systematic decision-making process. This process helps you address the critical elements that result in a good decision but not in a perfect decision. You have to accept that there is no perfect decision, as every decision not only involves gain but also loss. So do not look for "the perfect" decision but try to find the best ones considering your options. By taking an organized approach, you're less likely to miss important factors, and you can build on the approach to improve your decisions. In a complex decision making process we have to consider issues such as uncertainty, alternative choices, and potential high-risk consequences. Thus, making effective decisions are about going through a process. It is not a one-answer game but a complex system of different steps. Consider the following steps in the process of making an effective decision: 1. Define your objectives. 2. Define your options. 3. Do a cost-Benefit Analysis for each option. 4. Choose the best option. 5. Take action. For an elaboration on each step follow the upcoming issues of the decision making series.

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