Tuesday, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
A lot of my therapy practice includes individuals struggling with compulsive behavior, including addictions to alcohol and other drugs. I am often asked about marijuana use and hear people suggest that it seems a benign drug compared with so many others. This is surely how millions feel since it is by far the most frequently used drug around the world, including here in the United States. According to government statistics one in five young adults use marijuana at least once a week. Health professionals have long believed that it is a “gateway drug” meaning that it increases the likelihood of moving on to other, harder drugs.
And while many people reject this view as alarmist, a new study from Great Britain offers evidence to support the fears about grass. The study indicated that marijuana use increases the risk of becoming psychotic. The study was based on a review of long term data, including tens of thousands of subjects over three decades, and stated that “even infrequent use” raises the risk of psychosis by 40 percent. And heavy users of pot, daily or weekly users, had their risk for psychosis jump to 50 percent up to 200 percent!
Study author Dr. Stanley Zammit of Cardiff University noted that "cannabis is not as harmless as many people think." The study does not prove that marijuana itself elevates the risk of psychosis. There could be some other factor at play among those who use the drug, including personality traits. for instance. Nonetheless, the researchers believe the study’s results should be used to reaffirm the campaign to define marijuana as a dangerous drug.
"The strongest case is that there are consistencies across all of the studies," and that the link was seen only with psychoses — not anxiety, depression or other mental health problems, he said. Scientists think it is biologically possible that marijuana could cause psychoses because it interrupts important neurotransmitters such as dopamine. That can interfere with the brain’s communication systems.
Some experts say governments should now work to dispel the misconception that marijuana is a benign drug. Dr. Robin Murray of King’s College observed, "Experts are now agreed on the connection between cannabis and psychoses. What we need now is for 14-year-olds to know it."
But it still begs the question why so many millions have a life that is so unbearable they need to alter their mood, even at the risk of life long consequences. Where are we failing in communicating to children that their pleasure-seeking behaviors - following their native impulses - can have a damaging impact on them that will not go away later? Is it because in our misguided efforts to give freedom to our children we allow them to follow their own immature, adolescent feelings. That is never a good idea.
Monday, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
NASA is in the middle of an investigation into that messy love triangle involving two astronauts. This is the one where a female space cadet was stalking a rival of her love object, another space cadet. If that weren’t enough now comes word that on at least two occasions, a shuttle crew was drunk when they launched into space!Say What!?
As outrageous as this sounds, it occurs to me that if I was sitting on top of a twenty story bomb designed to blow me out of the atmosphere, I too might have enough anxiety to need a change of mood. Nonetheless this is yet another black eye for the space program. It certainly raises questions about their screening process that welcomes some individuals of apparently fragile psyches into the program.
What’s the Problem?
Where is the healthy balance between mastering our technical skills and our emotional stability? Although this is an old question, it is ever more pertinent in the current environment of breathless technological change. Each year companies and organizations face the challenge of hiring new prospects. This means trying to find technical wizards who are psychologically grounded and emotionally mature. It’s a combination that is not found in abundance.
As cliche as it sounds, there often are too many with excellent engineering abilities who are poor communicators and emotionally stunted. In contrast there are glib personalities with anemic technical skills. How do we cultivate this coveted combination? Although much of our personality is dictated by our genetics and upbringing, social norms dictate that we are expected to rise above how each of these factors limits us. Becoming a mature, competent adult is a moral challenge requiring us to grow intellectuly and emotionally.
Colorful personalities are responsible to cultivate their technical abilities while technical wizards are challenged to nurture their interpersonal skills. Individuals who try to get by on their native gifts without attending to their weaknesses limit their success and dampen their joy. To live a fulfilled human life requires the discipline in both what comes easy and what seems unnatural.
The literary juggernaut that is Harry Potter comes to an exciting end with the release of the seventh and final book in the series. This phenomenon riveted readers around the world and made a billionaire of its author J.K. Rowlings.
What is it about this character and his adventures that captured the attention of millions of young readers? The books had dependable story elements, including an entirely separate world from our own. And it was a world that was full of majestic scenes, fantastic creatures and human beings with extraordinary powers. These are all primary elements in the imaginations of children (and the child like yearning in every adult as well).
The Kidnapped Fantasy
The idea that I might be a specially gifted child being held in a form of captivity by these impostor adults claiming to be my parents has great allure. Who among us - even living in an ideal family - hasn’t imagined being taken away to a place and a family of greater status and privilege? This is exactly what happened to Harry Potter in the first book and it immediately grabbed our attention. He was rescued from his cruel, false parents and taken away to his rightful place. And lo and behold he learns that indeed he is special. He is a wizard with limitless power.
Passing Tests
As the adventures go forward Harry is subjected to a series of overwhelming challenges. And in each case he finds the help he needs to rise up and find the resources within himself. This is an excellent illustration of the human struggle we all face. How do I find the balance between becoming a superior individual- which is my heart’s desire - and surrounding myself with the love and support of other people who inspire and help me? Every person relates to the themes and the symbols in Harry Potter.
I suggest that more adults reward themselves with the same delightful experience that millions of young people have had: immersion in the life and times of Harry Potter.Because Ms. Rowlings is an insightful psychotherapist.
What is it about show business that deviates from the norms of every other industry when it comes to the standards demanded of workers in their employ? Conduct that is consistently detrimental to their own image and, by association the image of the company would result in consequences and separation from the organization. But not so in Hollywood. It seems that outrageous behavior by actors in public, no matter how flamboyant carries little or no employment consequences. In fact, it appears that making the news - even if it is for illegal behavior - only elevates the public awareness and profile of the person and this benefits the enterprise.
Our latest example is the young out-of-control actress Lindsay Lohan who was arrested yet again for driving drunk and possessing cocaine. This professional performer is not two weeks out of rehab for previous incidents of driving while intoxicated and here she is again in the Hollywood headlines. And what are the consequences for this aberrant behavior? Pathetically the answer is often an elevation of the offender’s fame. Even if its bad news, for celebrities the result is frequently an intensification of of their notoriety. And then the attention that comes with it, in the end, all comes back in work, money and ever more privilege.
This is all the sad saga of American popular culture and our obsessive yearning for celebrity. Finding our identity vicariously through the famous who we aspire to become ourselves is a curious American illness. And unfortunately it is highly contagious.
Wednesday, Mansfield, OhioMadame Petite - She’s a MediumShe sees what you cannot see!
Madame Petite was a client of Dr. Will’s for 13 years following the disappearance of her sister Lucy. During treatment she claims to have discovered her psychic abilities. She used these powers to find her missing sister who was suffering traumatic amnesia and living in a small village in Madison, Wisconsin. She reunited with Lucy and they live together in a mobile home in the town of Crawfordsville, Indiana. This is Madame’s report on matters transcendent: Dr. Will,It has been a week of poignant and tragic visions. First of all, last night I was awakened by a voice that was instantly recognizable. I sat up and sure enough it was Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. Not only did she speak to me, her image appeared in a reflection of a mirror that’s in a painting I have on the wall of dogs playing poker. She looked healthy and vital, although even on the other side she was weeping tears of joy and sure enough her mascara was running. She shared with me a few observations about her experience so far:
First, “I must tell you that I have met amazing people already. Yesterday I chatted with two guys playing chess at a table. Turns out it was none other than Beatle George Harrison and actor Rock Hudson! I couldn’t help but asking George what inspired the great success of the Beatles and he said, “people don’t want to believe it, but mostly it was Ringo!”Second, the place was celebrating because after generations of complaints, God relented and ordered several offensive creatures segregated in their own environment away from the rest of us. The list was long and included, among other cockroaches, gnats, shetland ponies and any writer associated with the“Head-On commercials.”
Finally, Tammy said she was delighted that there are pets in heaven and she has been reunited with all of hers throughout her lifetime. Which leads us to her final word. Here’s what she said:
“The place was still abuzz about an incident a while back when the Kingdom welcomed in several pit bulls that were brutally abused and killed. Now it turns out that these were the very animals from Michael Vick’s farm. And here’s the amazing part. From what I have heard, when someone is cruel to animals when the die they go to a place that is run by the very animals they hurt! Can you imagine? So it seems that Mr. Vick and his friends will be spending a period of time up here at a pit bull ranch. I just love justice! (Of course this explains why I am now living in a seedy condominium surrounded by fervent Hindus, Muslims and other non-Christians and my bathroom fixtures are made of unpolished metal.
That’s all from here. Off to my job at Mall and new visions. I’ll be in touch!
Major league baseball is on the edge of a public relations crisis as Barry Bonds is about to break Henry Aaron’s career home run total, the most revered record in the sport. The problem is that Bonds - a sullen, thoroughly disliked millionaire athlete is suspected of using steroids to enhance his performance over the past several years. If proven true it diminishes the fete and confirms the belief that he is a cheater.
Societies always respond to heroes and anti-heroes. Some individuals step up and achieve a heroic status for their courage and sacrifice for a noble cause. And conversely we also recognize other individuals whose actions have earned them the identity of symbols of evil. In most cases the person - whether sen as hero or anti-hero - do not fully deserve either the accolades or the vilification. With few exceptions, the heroes are more fallible than we acknowledge and the anti-heroes are not so thoroughly debased as we imagine. Of course there are exceptions. The psychopath Adolph Hitler and the murderer Bin Laden certainly come to mind.
But more ordinary celebrities fall somewhere in between their fame and their infamy. Which brings us back to Barry Bonds. His personality and behavior toward the press and the public have earned him his bad reputation. But his elevation to the status of national hate object is obviously an exaggeration. Even if guilty of all suspicions, his current public identity is in fact a conglomeration of several frustrations we have with all sports celebrities. Their wealth and fame demand that they behave with a modicum of humility, gratitude and an awareness of their privilege.
Woe to those who behave as if they are entitled. If we see any hint of "I deserve all this" - oh oh! They have crossed a line with the watching public. And clearly Barry Bonds has crossed that line many times over the years with his public decorum and statements. While he is certainly not the only misbehaving professional athlete, he has come to represent all of his spoiled peers. He has become an icon of distain and may not deserve any public sympathy. And as he moves in on this staggering athletic achievement he is hearing the boos and feeling the scorn.
Tammy Messner died this week of cancer. While young people may not remember her, she galvanized the nation in the 1980’s when she was known as Tammy Faye Bakker, wife of famous televangelist Jim Bakker. They were early pioneers of televised Christianity and raised millions of dollars from viewers and donors for their efforts to spread Christianity through the media. Theiur ministry and television program, called PTL (as in Praise the Lord) were roundly criticized foe their message that equated Christian faith with earthly prosperity. They lived a lavish lifestyle in a mansion and opened an opulent theme park that brought even more attention.
It all came crashing down after it was revealed that Jim was having a long term affair with his secretary that ruined PTL’s credibility and dried up their donations. Jim went to prison for financial improprieties and Tammy divorced him. While they were on top she became a subject of jokes for her layers of makeup and her penchant for breaking down in tears. With her mascara streaming down her cheeks she looked like a racoon as she told sob stories of how the Lord was working in the lives of their donors.
The sad saga of Jim & Tammy and the PTL soap opera was among the first notorious cases of scandal among the wealthy, faith-assured television preachers who promised the good life to the believers and givers and suggested suffering and damnation for the apostates. When these sanctimonious empires were exposed with sexual and financial corruption, there was no small amount of glee among these who felt judged by them.
It is all a reminder that arrogance of power comes in all forms, including religion, and is a reminder of the words in the Gospel. “judge not lest you be judged.”
In her last years Tammy Faye Messner exuded a greater humility about herself and the role of Christianity than many of her brothers and sisters in the ministry. She famously embraced the gay and lesbian community - a hot button item among her former evangelical peers. After the debacle, she was broken and spoke with warm awareness in her last interviews. And ironically in her terminal illness - with all the pain and suffering - she did not weep in public. Her mascara remained intact. She died with grace.
As for so many others with judgement on their tongue, deliver us from the self righteous.
Friday, Boston, Massachusetts A survey of preschool children revealed what we already suspect and fear. When asked what they want to be when they grow up, the first choice of these young children was to be famous! That’s right. Early on kids are clear that they desire to become a celebrity when they are older. The researchers asked parents what they thought their children, between ages two & five, would choose as a career. About one third said their sons and daughters wanted to become a famous singer or actor. Of course when it comes to their own preference for their children, parents aspirations for their kids were loftier and more predictable. They included physician, engineer or some other kind of scientist. Only one in ten agreed with the choice of their child to become a performer. According to the study (commissioned for the animated BBC TV series Lunar Jim, on CBeebies), traditional favorites like firefighter and astronaut had dropped down the list. The show’s creator noted “In an age of celebrity it’s not surprising that so many youngsters want to be performers - but it’s encouraging that their parents really do see the importance of developing an interest in science-oriented learning.”Is anyone surprised really? Is it not a measure of where we have come as a society that children aspire to be celebrities? And furthermore, we are well aware of the pathetic fact that many of America’s “hottest” celebrities enjoy their notoriety utterly detached from personal accomplishments or laudatory achievements. What are the worthy achievements of Paris Hilton, David Spade, Nicole Richie, Andy Dick, (the late) Anna Nicole Smith, Brandon “Greasy Bear” Davis? And even many of the super celebrities that actually have careers in show business or sports, where have we come that kids believe that will happen to them when they are older?At the risk of hysterical ranting, it seems that this survey gives pause to parents about the need to speak out more boldly against the antics of the celebrities their children see in the media. It’s time t be more forthcoming with our opinions.
TO WIT:
If your child is more enamored with Paris than their teacher, with Tom Cruise more than their physician, it’s time to spit it out. While there are surely exceptions, stars who live life well, in far too many cases the celebrities we gawk at and read about are horrible role models. So many are circus acts, media freaks who, due to inherited wealth or a fortunate moment in a stadium or a movie set, are enjoyable to look at but ludicrous to emulate. In many cases these individuals are intellectually limited, emotionally stunted and spoiled beyond reason. It’s time to grow up.Read a summary of the report HERE
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on felony charges in connection with his well reported involvement in dogfighting at his rural Virginia home. The federal charge contends that Vick gambled on dogfighting, and worse, allowed indescribably cruel torture of the animals.Vick has made no comment on the charges. He is charged with sponsoring dogfights involving pit bulls and a search at his rural home discovered over fifty of the animals.
It also discovered “a stand used to hold dogs in place for mating, an electronic treadmill modified for dogs and bloody carpeting.” A further search found the graves of seven pit bulls that were alleged to have been killed by members of the sponsors of the fight ring.
Supposedly before the dogs fought they were washed to remove poisons or other substances used to gain an edge. The dogs were often starved to elevate their hunger for another dog. A fights ended when a dog died or gave up.
Among the most disturbing allegations, the dogs that lost their fights were sometimes drowned, strangled, hung, shot, electrocuted or - unbelievably - body slammed to the ground to kill them. This sordid story is a reminder that human beings can sink to unimaginable depths of cruelty.
Aside from the insanity of the activity of dog fighting itself, the accusations of disposing of poor performers through torture is beyond comprehension. Here is an American football hero, a multimillionaire media superstar who blesses himself after a touchdown to thank God, involved in unspeakable savagery to animals. Unless he is thoroughly vindicated his public image is ruined forever.This is the kind of activity associated with socio-pathology by mental health professionals.
Aside from the evident brutality of the actions, it is indicative of a serious character flaw.If these charges are validated in the coming months, it is an indiscretion from which Michael Vick is unlikely to ever recover.
It was fifty-two years ago this week that Disneyland Opened outside Los Angeles, California. And since then a half billion people have visited this American wonder. Walt Disney knew how to tap into the subconscious desires of middle class Americans longing for an escape in the aftermath of the cataclysmic World War they had just endured. For this greatest generation, now was the time to retreat from the horrors of world conflict and live the life of peace and prosperity they felt was their due after fighting the forces of intolerance.
Into this space came Disney who devised an ingenious park environment that was not merely a collection of amusement rides, but an entire world designed to separate the visitor from their daily routines - the angst of human living and memories of war. Since its opening the park was an instant success and has since come to represent the fantasy escape for every American. And while the place focues on the fantasies of children, it is actually the adults who are in greatest need of what Disneyland offers.
The original Disneyland consisted of several separate themes:
- Main Street USA which replicated the simplicity of an early MidWestern town - Adventureland featuring the exotic sights and sounds of an African jungle - Frontierland that illustrated an old West town - Fantasyland brought fantasies to real life - Tomorrowland giving us a glimpse into the future
Central to the park’s success were the characters created by the Disney company. They are by now all iconic symbols of America:
Mickey Mouse,Donald Duck,Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Chip & Dale, and on and on. Visitors interact with the characters and are able to lose themselves in the world of the Magic Kingdom.
It is a dark tribute to this iconic institution that we recently learned that radical Islamic Jihadists have been using Mickey Mouse himself as a tool for propaganda, teaching children to hate America. It indicates that the very identity of Disneyland has come to represent the blessed lifestyle Americans lead in the eyes of those from around the world who resent us. What they miss, of course is the fact that Disneyland is not fundamentally a symbol of American excess. It is rather a living illustration of our need to escape!
For more on this anniversary and the history of Disneyland, CLICK HERE
