Head Shrinker's office - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ajpresto · 12-11-2005, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelous Marv

Uhh, is the doctor on a two-week vacation?

I wish. My real life has been too hectic to come back here and answer your questions. However, your post in my email prompted me to come back. Just berate me and I'll come back.

ajpresto · 12-11-2005, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioguy

perfect!!!! i wanted to ask ya'll something but didn't want to start another thread about girls....anyways, i met this chic from work for drinks at a bar. we sat there for 5 hours, never a silent moment, laughed, joked, just chatted. it was awesome....except she has a boyfriend. she asked him to go, but didn't want to go out. we are attracted to each other and we do have feelings for each other, but she has a boyfriend of 2 years. she did do some complaining about him that nights, he called a couple of times and wasn't happy about her being out. anyways, when the bar closed, we said our goodbyes and we kissed. i'm driving home that night and get a call from her asking where i was...i told her and she said she was following me. we get back to my place and chat some more and then start making out, that's all. my question is: why would a woman spend 7 hours with a guy, make out with him, if she has a boyfriend of two years????? am i a fling to get her out of a rut or does she want/desire more than what she has???? i'm just curious.....thanks DOC!

I guess it's officially time to claim who I am. I am a trained psychologist but I am not a doctor. I guess you all can call me a doctor but I'm not. I do plan on getting my Ph.D. someday, but I haven't yet.

Now, on to the question. I have no idea what's going on there. Psychologists haven't broken the male/female divide yet. I'm just as clueless coming out of my professional training as I was when I went in. Girls are just weird.

But, based on your recollection of the events, she may be deciding if she wants to stay with the boyfriend or move on to another relationship. After two years, it is probably difficult for her to choose to move on to something else. A sense of familiarilty is involved there. If she's living with him, it's even more difficult to make a move. There's the physical aspect of finding another place to live, physically moving out of his house, etc.

There's also a psychological bond. Again, difficulty to make a move after an extended period together. Some people feel insecure without being attached to another person. (I'm one of those people.)

I'm not certain exactly what she was trying to get out of you. You might need to have a talk with her about what exactly she was doing. Cheating on her boyfriend is not a good thing unless she's serious about getting with you. I'm not even certain what ages, although if you were at a bar, you were probably at least 18, if not 21 (fake IDs?). Sounds like it's time to have a conversation with her about what she wants.

ajpresto · 12-11-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajpresto

That is one of many "projective" techniques which are psychologists' attempts to get at some of the more basic areas of the brain. It's just a technique and a weak one at that, at getting at some of the more basic processes in the brain. There are others which are slightly better and more commonly used (the Rorschach is out of favor for the most part now) such as the Draw a Person task and the Kinetic Family Drawing task. Rather than looking at pictures, the client is asked to draw a picture. There are scales for interpreting what all of that means. I use those tasks for some of my clients and I have some concerns when I interpret them. Unless something comes out in multiple areas, I won't say anything about the supposed sexual aspects of this part of a drawing, etc.

I find it interesting that I was talking about this this morning and found a game about it online... I don't know if anybody wants to do this, but here goes nothing:

Click here to draw a house

Click here to view my house

ajpresto · 12-11-2005, 09:46 AM

You can view the houses on the street at: http://drawahouse.com/streets/ajpresto-street/

zfleebin · 12-11-2005, 01:30 PM

Ajpresto: I am kinda confused on your credentials. You say your a psychologist but you do not have a phd or psyd. Are you licensed in the US to practice psychology? Could you be more specific as to what kind of professional training you have? I have been under the impression that a psychologist has a phd or psyd whereas other individuals practicing psychology are called therapists or counselors.

ajpresto · 12-11-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zfleebin

Ajpresto: I am kinda confused on your credentials. You say your a psychologist but you do not have a phd or psyd. Are you licensed in the US to practice psychology? Could you be more specific as to what kind of professional training you have? I have been under the impression that a psychologist has a phd or psyd whereas other individuals practicing psychology are called therapists or counselors.

I am a School Psychologist. I have a Specialist's in Education, on top of of a Masters of School Psychology on top of a Bachelors in Psychology.

I am not licensed but am certified to be a school psychologist.

I apologize for the confusion and I'll go home with my tail between my legs now.

Elphaba · 12-11-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zfleebin

Ajpresto: I am kinda confused on your credentials. You say your a psychologist but you do not have a phd or psyd. Are you licensed in the US to practice psychology? Could you be more specific as to what kind of professional training you have? I have been under the impression that a psychologist has a phd or psyd whereas other individuals practicing psychology are called therapists or counselors.

To add to ajpresto's explanation: The term "psychologist" applies to both master and doctorate levels of education. Each state in the nation identifies the legal requirements for practicing in that state, so there can be variability from state to state. That explains why licensing and certification may mean different things in different states.

Clear as mud?

maleficent · 12-11-2005, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajpresto

I find it interesting that I was talking about this this morning and found a game about it online... I don't know if anybody wants to do this, but here goes nothing:

Click here to draw a house

Click here to view my house

It's interesting -- but the assessment isn't even close to being accurate... All this provesis that I have no artistic talent...

raeanna74 · 12-12-2005, 07:11 AM

Here's one for ya.

I have addressed this subject here before (can't remember if it was just in my journal or not) and got a few helpful comments. I have told my Dr about it but since it's not completely debilitating she has not addressed the situation specifically.

Since hubby had a very severe head injury about 4 years ago I have suffered from panic attacks. Barely minutes before I discovered he'd been injured I was on my way home in the car. An ambulance approached me from behind, passed me, and minutes later approached again from in front of me (this time with hubby on-board). Second later my neighbors informed me that he'd been injured. SINCE this situation I cannot handle the sirens of ambulances passing me. I am fortunate that the sirens of fire trucks or police cruisers do not send me into a panic attack. I call it a panic attack but I have not been officially told that is what it is. I have read descriptions of panic attacks and my symptoms seem to be the same. IF an ambulance passes me going in any direction I have the symptoms. I have even experienced the symptoms when an ambulance has passed my house or once when I heard them in the background while on the phone with a friend who was in a car. My symptoms are: heart races (I checked my BPM once and it was 140 bpm, while seated in a car as a passenger.), palms get sweaty, hyperventilating or even gasping for breath, crying at times, shaking all over, and even once in a while blurred vision.

I have been able to calm myself better and better but then there are times when the sirens will catch me off guard and I flip out. This happened just last night when I was in bed and heard an ambulance fly past on the road outside. I felt the impulse to jump out of bed and run around in a panic. I couldn't sleep for almost an hour after. When I'm driving there are times when I cannot control my response and am forced to put the car into park and sit for about 5-10 minutes to gain control again. About 2 months ago I past the firestation just before I got to the medical clinic. An ambulance pulled out behind me and started their siren. After I got to the clinic I sat and tried to meditate for a few minutes, and had managed to calm myself somewhat. YET when they took my blood pressure it was 140/89 - I'm normally around 120/70 and rarely any more. I told the Dr what had happened just before arriving so she is aware of that as well.

What I'm looking for are suggestions for dealing with this. I have controlled it some but there are just times that I completely fail and I'm a wreck. I have realized that a part of my fear is from a feeling of helplessness or lack of control over the situation. That realization helped some. I even thought I had it beat for a while. Would any of that 'systematic desensitization' type of approach help at all?? How would I go about it? I would imagine it would be best to have someone with me. Any other suggestions or even explanations??

JustJess · 12-12-2005, 07:33 AM

I have a LOT of recurring dreams, and most of them are nightmares. I've had them since childhood - ever since I can remember. They're very vivid - I have sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Usually, they're violent fighting sorts of dreams - someone's chasing me, attempting to kill me. Should I worry about this, talk to someone about this?

Two pieces of history:
1. Yes, was molested as a child, and dad died when I was 7, and I had a pretty uneven relationship with mom throughout puberty and teenage years as possible triggers/reasons.
2. My grandmother was also someone who dreamed very vividly all her life - she would wake up absolutely convinced there was "someone" outside the window trying to get in, etc. No idea if she had any possible triggers/reasons, or this is just how she dreamt.

Thanks!

12-12-2005, 07:11 AM	#49 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	Here's one for ya. I have addressed this subject here before (can't remember if it was just in my journal or not) and got a few helpful comments. I have told my Dr about it but since it's not completely debilitating she has not addressed the situation specifically. Since hubby had a very severe head injury about 4 years ago I have suffered from panic attacks. Barely minutes before I discovered he'd been injured I was on my way home in the car. An ambulance approached me from behind, passed me, and minutes later approached again from in front of me (this time with hubby on-board). Second later my neighbors informed me that he'd been injured. SINCE this situation I cannot handle the sirens of ambulances passing me. I am fortunate that the sirens of fire trucks or police cruisers do not send me into a panic attack. I call it a panic attack but I have not been officially told that is what it is. I have read descriptions of panic attacks and my symptoms seem to be the same. IF an ambulance passes me going in any direction I have the symptoms. I have even experienced the symptoms when an ambulance has passed my house or once when I heard them in the background while on the phone with a friend who was in a car. My symptoms are: heart races (I checked my BPM once and it was 140 bpm, while seated in a car as a passenger.), palms get sweaty, hyperventilating or even gasping for breath, crying at times, shaking all over, and even once in a while blurred vision. I have been able to calm myself better and better but then there are times when the sirens will catch me off guard and I flip out. This happened just last night when I was in bed and heard an ambulance fly past on the road outside. I felt the impulse to jump out of bed and run around in a panic. I couldn't sleep for almost an hour after. When I'm driving there are times when I cannot control my response and am forced to put the car into park and sit for about 5-10 minutes to gain control again. About 2 months ago I past the firestation just before I got to the medical clinic. An ambulance pulled out behind me and started their siren. After I got to the clinic I sat and tried to meditate for a few minutes, and had managed to calm myself somewhat. YET when they took my blood pressure it was 140/89 - I'm normally around 120/70 and rarely any more. I told the Dr what had happened just before arriving so she is aware of that as well. What I'm looking for are suggestions for dealing with this. I have controlled it some but there are just times that I completely fail and I'm a wreck. I have realized that a part of my fear is from a feeling of helplessness or lack of control over the situation. That realization helped some. I even thought I had it beat for a while. Would any of that 'systematic desensitization' type of approach help at all?? How would I go about it? I would imagine it would be best to have someone with me. Any other suggestions or even explanations?? __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

12-12-2005, 07:33 AM	#50 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	I have a LOT of recurring dreams, and most of them are nightmares. I've had them since childhood - ever since I can remember. They're very vivid - I have sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Usually, they're violent fighting sorts of dreams - someone's chasing me, attempting to kill me. Should I worry about this, talk to someone about this? Two pieces of history: 1. Yes, was molested as a child, and dad died when I was 7, and I had a pretty uneven relationship with mom throughout puberty and teenage years as possible triggers/reasons. 2. My grandmother was also someone who dreamed very vividly all her life - she would wake up absolutely convinced there was "someone" outside the window trying to get in, etc. No idea if she had any possible triggers/reasons, or this is just how she dreamt. Thanks! __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

12-11-2005, 09:46 AM	#44 (permalink)
ajpresto Tilted	You can view the houses on the street at: http://drawahouse.com/streets/ajpresto-street/

12-11-2005, 01:30 PM	#45 (permalink)
zfleebin Addict	Ajpresto: I am kinda confused on your credentials. You say your a psychologist but you do not have a phd or psyd. Are you licensed in the US to practice psychology? Could you be more specific as to what kind of professional training you have? I have been under the impression that a psychologist has a phd or psyd whereas other individuals practicing psychology are called therapists or counselors.