Daily Worry & Global Loss
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI-21 Items) (General) (LSF)
Specific Worry Score 22 Items (LSF) = Worry Assessment (Specific)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [Held Over]
Elements of Fear Score 22 Items (LSF)
Sad About
Things We Surrendered – Causes Buster
to feel sad
We have not completely accepted many
of these losses yet
Informal Restitution Philosophy
(Near End)
Scored by and for Keith “Buster”
Torkelson MS, BS
Resilience after Losses Score –
16 Items
HSF = High Scores are Favorable |
SW = Share (d) With | RT = Real Time
Recurrent sadness about the same
thing
Recurrent sadness about the same thing could indicate persistent
depressive disorder (PDD), a chronic form of depression with long-lasting
symptoms, or major depression with recurrence, which involves distinct episodes of sadness that return
after recovery. It can also be related to rumination, which is the
repetitive focus on negative thoughts or past events, a pattern common in other
conditions like generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD).
Psychological Rumination
Rumination in psychology refers to a repetitive and persistent thought process where individuals
dwell on negative experiences, emotions, or events. It involves focusing on the
causes, consequences, and symptoms of these negative experiences, often without
finding solutions or moving forward.
Behaviors and Elements of Anxiety
Includes Losses
Scored by and for Keith “Buster”
Torkelson MS, BS
Elements of Fear Score 22 Items
LSF = Low Scores are Favorable |
SW = Share (d) With | RT = Real Time
FYI - Worry – PSQW (16 Items)
https://caleblack.com/psy5960_files/PSWQ.pdf
A specific worry assessment uses questionnaires like the Penn State
Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) to measure the frequency and severity of worry,
often distinguishing pathological
worry from normal concern. These assessments evaluate worry across
different contexts and can be used to help diagnose conditions like Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and monitor treatment progress. Other specific
assessment tools include the GAD-7 and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, which
also screen for and measure anxiety symptoms.
Beck Anxiety Index
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a 21-item, patient-completed questionnaire, developed to discriminate
anxiety disorders from depressive disorders in an outpatient psychiatric
clinic. Its questions primarily report somatic symptoms.
Normal Concern V Worry
Concern is a healthy, action-oriented
response to a problem that focuses on what is within your control to
solve, while worry is a destructive and unproductive state that fixates on
"what if" scenarios and things you cannot change. Concern motivates you to make a plan and
take constructive steps, whereas worry leads to inaction and emotional turmoil,
often causing stress, tension, and anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that
can develop after a person experiences
or witnesses a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, combat, or
assault. Symptoms often include re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares,
avoiding reminders of the event, and increased arousal or negative changes in
mood and cognition. While symptoms may last only a few weeks, if they persist for
more than a month, it may indicate PTSD, which can be effectively treated with psychotherapy.
Flashbacks
Flashbacks are vivid, intense memories of a past traumatic event that
can feel like they are happening in the present. They can be visual, emotional,
or somatic (body-based) and are often triggered by sensory reminders like
sounds or smells. Flashbacks are a common
symptom of PTSD and can be managed with professional therapy like EMDR
and Exposure Therapy, as well as coping strategies like identifying triggers
and practicing relaxation exercises.
Intrusive Thoughts
An intrusive thought is an unwelcome, involuntary thought, image, or
unpleasant idea that may become an obsession is upsetting or distressing, and can feel difficult to manage
or eliminate. Intrusive thoughts can be
a common experience, but they can also be a symptom of underlying mental health
conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), or anxiety disorders.
My Intrusive Thoughts are getting
better
It is a positive sign that your intrusive thoughts are getting better,
indicating successful coping or that symptoms are improving naturally. To
continue this progress, focus on
self-care practices like good sleep hygiene and stress reduction.
Continue to practice cognitive diffusion techniques, such as separating
yourself from the thought by saying, "I'm having the thought that..."
or by simply observing the thought and allowing it to pass without judgment. If
you are concerned, especially if these thoughts are linked to conditions like
OCD or PTSD, consult a mental health professional for tailored strategies and
support.
Ruminating on Losses
Ruminating on losses is a form of repetitive, unproductive overthinking
about past negative events or failures, such as a death, job loss, or
relationship breakup. While some repetitive thinking is a natural part of the
grieving process, chronic rumination can become a maladaptive mental loop that
intensifies feelings of guilt, sadness, and hopelessness, leading to prolonged
distress. To break free, you can use
CBT techniques, such as distraction, journaling, and engaging in
meaningful activities (behavioral activation) to interrupt the thought pattern
and regain a sense of present-moment connection.
Depression Spiraling
"Spiraling depression" describes a cycle of worsening depressive symptoms, where mood, activity
levels, and negative thinking can exacerbate each other, leading to a downward
trend. While not a formal diagnosis itself, it is a pattern often seen in
conditions like major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder,
and can be characterized by withdrawal from social activities, increased
self-criticism, and negative thinking that worsens over time.
Situational
"Situational" is an adjective meaning depending on or
appropriate to a particular situation or context. The term can also refer to situational awareness
(perceiving and responding to one's environment), situational ethics (judging
morality based on circumstances), situational interviews (hypothetical
scenario-based questions), or even a situationship (a casual, undefined
romantic relationship).
Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is the ability to perceive, comprehend, and project the current environment and its potential implications to make informed decisions and act effectively to ensure safety and achieve goals. It involves continuously observing surroundings, understanding the context, and anticipating future events, enabling a person to recognize threats, avoid hazards, and seize opportunities.
Scorer > Metadata >
Anxiety_BAI_23050301_Scorer V2025
(XLS)
LSF = Low scores are favorable
For Keith Torkelson MS
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) – 21
Items
General Worry Assessment
Percent Anxious and Worried
In hind-sight all are actually
higher
Interpretation - Moderate
If you receive a grand sum between 22-35 this indicates moderate anxiety. Your body is
trying to tell you something. Look for patterns as to when and why you
experience the symptoms described above. For example, if it occurs prior to public speaking and your job
requires a lot of presentations you may want to find ways to calm yourself
before speaking or let others do some of the presentations. You may have some conflict issues that need to be
resolved. Clearly, it is not “panic” time but you want to find ways to manage
the stress you feel.
High Scoring Items
Score MAX
>The original assessment uses a 3 point Likert type scoring
method. Using this method the maximum
score for adjustment purposes is: 21*3 = 63.
Conflict Issues
Conflict issues, or sources of conflict, stem from a variety of factors
including poor communication, differing values and beliefs, competition for
scarce resources, unmet needs, and personality clashes. These issues can
manifest as information conflicts, values conflicts, interest conflicts,
relationship conflicts, and structural conflicts, and can lead to arguments, resentment, and a toxic environment
if not addressed properly.
Toxic Environment
A toxic environment is a workplace or social setting characterized by
negativity, hostility, and dysfunction, leading to a detrimental impact on
individuals' well-being and productivity. Common
signs include poor communication, lack of trust, bullying, harassment,
and favoritism, which can cause high stress, low morale, and high employee turnover.
Daily Worry - Worry and What If
List
Buster scores Buster
LSF = Low Scores are Favorable |
H = Associated with Housing | SW = Share (d) With | RT = Real Time
Specific Worry Score – 22 Items
|
## |
Item (Satisfaction With) |
2023
0926 TH-RT SW-TF |
2024
0807 W-RT SW-RJD |
Note |
|
01 |
Aerobic Health |
0.00 |
0.50 |
Address Smoking Cigarettes |
|
02 |
Great amount of property (H) |
0.50 |
1.00 |
Need to move belongings |
|
03 |
Loss of car resource |
0.50 |
0.50 |
|
|
04 |
Poor contingency Bed (H) |
0.25 |
1.00 |
Humane |
|
05 |
Dental too much for too little |
0.75 |
0.25 |
Won’t cover what is needed |
|
06 |
Dependency on LAK |
0.75 |
0.25 |
Graduating |
|
07 |
Apprehensive to drive |
0.75 |
0.50 |
New methods |
|
08 |
Can’t afford car insurance |
0.75 |
0.25 |
Auto |
|
09 |
Can’t liquidate storage in one Hour (H) |
0.00 |
1.00 |
Asking for help |
|
10 |
Poor match and new roommate adjustment (H) |
0.50 |
0.25 |
|
|
11 |
Little Room Harmony (H) |
0.75 |
0.25 |
|
|
12 |
Poor quality Sleep (H) |
0.90 |
0.25 |
High Weight |
|
13 |
Poor quality of Sleep and SleepAbility (H) |
0.90 |
0.25 |
High Weight |
|
14 |
Smoking cigarettes |
0.00 |
1.00 |
COPD & neoplasm risk |
|
15 |
Uneasiness with Steph and EAK |
0.75 |
0.25 |
BSA Virtues |
|
16 |
Storage overwhelm & disposition (H) |
0.75 |
1.00 |
Major concern |
|
17 |
Uneasy with Storage Gal (H) |
0.25 |
0.25 |
|
|
18 |
Succession (H) not complete |
0.50 |
0.50 |
Family |
|
19 |
Not enough time left to live and thrive |
0.25 |
0.25 |
Publishing our material |
|
20 |
Risk of travelling e.g. Los Altos (Future) |
0.50 |
0.00 |
Avoid |
|
22 |
Risk of visiting Gerard (Future) |
0.25 |
0.25 |
Can’t see it |
|
|
CALC |
=10.55/22 |
=9.50/22 |
|
|
|
Specific Worry Score 22 Items (LSF) = |
48.0% |
47.5% |
|
Told Causes don’t Matter in
Behavioral Health
The statement that causes don't matter in behavioral health is widely considered problematic
and often linked to stigma or a limited understanding of mental illness. Here's why this view is disputed within the
professional community. Understanding is
Key to Effective Treatment: Identifying
the root cause(s) of a mental health condition (which can be a mix of
genetics, brain chemistry, life experiences, trauma, and social factors) is
crucial for developing an effective and holistic treatment plan. Without this
understanding, providers might only address symptoms, rather than the
underlying issues.
Onset 1988
When Buster went to the psych
ward for the first time he was told by Drs. Dean and Graham that the causes of
his affliction didn’t matter.
Avoidance Coping
Avoidance coping is a coping mechanism where a person actively avoids or disengages from
stressful or difficult situations, emotions, or thoughts by using
strategies like procrastinating on tasks, avoiding social interactions,
withdrawing from relationships, using substances to escape feelings, and
ignoring or denying problems, essentially trying to steer clear of dealing with
challenges head-on rather than confronting them directly.
Challenges
>Here we deal with After the Injury
(AtI). Prior to 2007 we were offered
several diagnoses: Depression, Bi-polar, Schizoid, Anxiety and a Sleep
Disorder. We were first diagnosed in
1989. 2007 stands out because the stakes
were high: We had committed ourselves to starting and participating with a
small business. Why do we look for new ways to live? Since our first diagnosis (Bi-polar) we have
yet to be dialed in. Dr. Arnold P Deutsch
said there are no “Silver Bullets” meaning just medication will not cut it. Our episodes go hand in hand with sleep problems. It is hard to tell if the sleep issue in the
primary issue. When we get sick we have
many mistaken beliefs. Some doctors call
it psychotic yet we feel mistaken beliefs describes them the best. We definitely suffer anxiety. We think Anxiety
and a Sleep Disorder best describes our behavioral health.
Apprehension V Anxiety
Apprehension and anxiety are related terms that describe feelings of unease and worry, but they have
distinct characteristics:
Apprehension
Apprehension is a specific, focused feeling of unease or concern about
a particular event or situation. Typically arises from a known or perceived
threat. Characterized by a sense of
anticipation and dread. May involve physical symptoms such as sweating,
increased heart rate, and tension.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a more generalized state of unease or nervousness. Can be
triggered by vague or unknown threats.
Characterized by excessive worry, rumination, and fear. May manifest as
physical symptoms such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep
disturbances.
Circa 2010 & 2023 - Bullies
>2010 was a challenging year
in that we shared a room with Keith Wadding (KW) a self-identified bully and violent person. He shared that his dad would beat him up until
eventually he fought back and severely hurt his dad. Our doctor at the time was Dr. Alan Vu MD in
Newport Beach. Keith W. was shopping
online for a knife. We told Dr. Vu who said it was “Situational” and could do nothing to help. Keith W’s bullying drove us to suffer Traumatic
Stress Disorder. Keith Wadding was one
of the worst bullies we ever associated with.
In 2023 we shared a room with Theodore Francis. TF was a passive aggressive bully. Both bullies interfered with our sleep.
Keith Wadding ordering a knife
online
>We took Waddings announcement
he was ordering a knife online a direct
threat. Again, we told our
psychiatrist (Dr. Vu) about it and he just said it is situational.
Situational in Psychiatry
In psychiatry, "situational" refers to a temporary mental
health response to a specific,
stressful life event, like job loss or a breakup, which can manifest as
situational depression (also known as an adjustment disorder) or situational anxiety. These are
not chronic, long-term disorders but a reaction to a stressor, with symptoms
like sadness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and difficulty coping that typically
fade once the stressor is removed.
Situational Anxiety
Situational anxiety is a temporary
feeling of anxiety triggered by specific events like job interviews or
public speaking. It differs from generalized anxiety by being tied to a
particular situation and often subsiding once the event is over. Symptoms can
include physical reactions like a racing heart and rapid breathing, as well as
emotional ones like nervousness, worry, and irritability. Common ways to manage it include preparation, relaxation
techniques, and cognitive restructuring, but professional help like therapy or
medication may be needed for severe cases.
Traumatic Stress Disorder
If you are experiencing trauma, prioritize your safety by going to a safe space if possible.
Ground yourself through grounding techniques or mindfulness and calm your body
with deep breathing. Seek professional help if distress is ongoing, and avoid isolating
yourself by talking to trusted people. If the situation is an emergency, call
911 or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Trauma
Any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or
other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person's attitudes,
behavior, and other aspects of functioning. Trauma can be a single event or a
series of ongoing experiences. Common symptoms include anxiety, nightmares,
difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and withdrawal, which can disrupt daily
life. When these symptoms persist, they can develop into a mental health
condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Types of trauma
Single-incident trauma
Single-incident trauma, also known as acute trauma, is a psychological
injury caused by a one-time, overwhelming event that threatens one's safety. Examples include car accidents,
natural disasters, or a single episode of assault. Symptoms can include shock,
confusion, fear, and lingering effects like flashbacks or anxiety.
Complex trauma
Complex trauma is the result of repeated, prolonged, and often invasive
interpersonal traumatic events, such as childhood
abuse or neglect. This experience can lead to lifelong difficulties
with emotional self-regulation, relationships, and a distorted sense of self
and the world.
Secondary trauma
Secondary trauma is the emotional distress experienced from indirectly
hearing about or witnessing the trauma of others, which can lead to symptoms
like mood changes, detachment, and difficulty with emotions. It is also known as vicarious trauma
or secondary traumatic stress, and can affect anyone, though helping
professionals like therapists and first responders are at a higher risk due to
repeated exposure.
Insidious trauma
Insidious trauma is the cumulative effect of many subtle, negative experiences over time,
such as macroaggressions, chronic criticism, or systemic oppression, which can
be deeply damaging despite being less
obvious than single, major traumatic events. This type of trauma erodes
self-esteem and can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, or difficulty
trusting others because the damaging influences blend into daily life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that
can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing
symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance, even long
after the danger has passed, but effective treatments like therapy (e.g.,
trauma-focused CBT) and medication are available, and recovery is possible with help.
Self-Help
The action or process of bettering oneself or overcoming one's problems without the aid of others. Especially…the coping with one's personal or emotional problems without professional help.
Trauma Responses
Anxiety
Becoming isolated from family and friends
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping
Emotional and psychological trauma
Emotional numbness
Fatigue
Fear
Grief
Heart rate
Living in a traumatic atmosphere
Nightmares
Trauma trigger
Repeated Injuries
Repeated injuries are overuse or repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) that
develop over time from performing the same motion over and over, leading to
pain, stiffness, tingling, and weakness. Common causes include repetitive work activities like
typing or assembly line work, certain sports, poor posture, and using hand-held
tools for long periods. Prevention and treatment involve stopping or limiting the activity, using ergonomics,
stretching, taking breaks, and applying ice or NSAIDs.
Injury Prone
An "injury-prone" person is someone who is frequently
injured, often due to a combination
of risk factors that can include past injuries, physical limitations,
training errors, and psychological traits like stress or risk-taking. Factors
such as genetics, poor fitness, and a history
of injuries can increase the likelihood of future injuries in specific
areas. Psychological factors like absent-mindedness, impulsivity, and coping
styles are also linked to accident-proneness.
Is it accident prone or abuse?
Whether an injury is due to accident-proneness or abuse depends on the specific details,
such as the type, location, and consistency of the injuries, and how they are
explained. Accident proneness is a concept that suggests some individuals are
more prone to accidents due to factors like personality traits, but abuse
involves intentional harm and should
not be confused with a person's potential for accidents. It is important
to distinguish between them to ensure appropriate action is taken, especially
in cases involving children.
Stress
Stress is the body's and mind's natural
reaction to challenges or threats, triggering a fight-or-flight
response that can help us cope with difficult situations. This response
involves a release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase
heart rate and prepare the body for action. While a moderate level of stress
can be beneficial, chronic or excessive stress can be detrimental to both
physical and mental health.
Stopping the cycle of abuse
Acknowledge the abuse: The first step to breaking the cycle is acknowledging that the abuse is
happening. This can be difficult, as denial is a common coping mechanism. Reach
out to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor for support. Educate
yourself: Knowledge is power. May 29, 2023. For these reasons and more, the DoD
(US Department of Defense) has made domestic
violence prevention an item of specific concern. As a military commander,
I implore you to act on the three Rs of domestic violence awareness: recognize,
respond and refer.
Work Done – Bulling
https://housingadvisoryboard.blogspot.com/2019/08/housing-advisory-rent-shared-room-bully.html
Street Fighter
Street fighting or street combat is hand-to-hand combat in public places between individuals or groups of
people. The venue is usually a public place, and the fight sometimes results in
serious injury or even death. Some street fights can be gang related.
Situational (adjective)
Relating to or dependent on a set
of circumstances or state of affairs - "team members need
situational awareness to anticipate needs"…relating to the location and
surroundings of a place.
"the situational aspect of homes"
FYI - Situational Meaning - an
overview | ScienceDirect Topics
What does it mean to be
situational?
To be situational means to have one's behavior, thoughts, or feelings
be primarily influenced by external
circumstances rather than by internal traits. In psychology, this
concept is central to the "person-situation debate," which explores
whether a person's behavior is determined
by their personality or by the environment. In general, a person
appraising ongoing events does so in terms of their potential impact on
themselves and their well-being.
Personal Relevance
Personal relevance is the degree to which something, like a message,
idea, or experience, connects with an individual's own life, beliefs, values, or circumstances. It is a subjective
perception of personal importance and meaningfulness, and it can increase
engagement, motivation, and emotional impact. For example, a lesson is
personally relevant to a student if they can connect it to their own
experiences or see how it will be useful to them.
Ability to cope
The "ability to cope" refers to your capacity to deal with stressful situations, hardships, and trauma
by adapting and bouncing back. It is a component of resilience, which involves
using skills like problem-solving, self-care, and social support to manage
stress while maintaining emotional well-being. Coping is not a fixed trait but
can be improved by developing and practicing various strategies.
Options available for coping
Coping options include relaxation techniques like meditation and deep
breathing, physical activities such as exercise and spending time in nature,
social support from friends or family, and creative outlets like journaling,
art, and music. Other strategies involve problem-solving
and cognitive reframing, which means changing how you think about a
situation to make it feel more manageable.
Situational awareness or
situation awareness, that is…
It's Situational Awareness (two words), referring to the crucial ability to perceive,
understand, and predict elements in your environment to make informed
decisions, crucial for safety and success in dynamic fields like aviation,
emergency response, and daily life, moving beyond just observation to
comprehension and projection. It's the skill of knowing what's happening around you, its meaning, and what
might happen next, using real-time understanding rather than just past
experience.
Understanding an environment
Understanding an environment means recognizing it as the sum of all
living and non-living things that surround
and influence an organism, comprising the four spheres of Earth: the
geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living
things). It involves recognizing the complex
interactions within these spheres, the resources they provide, and the
impacts humans have on them, which is the focus of environmental science.
Environmental elements in
Psychology
Environmental elements in psychology refer to the physical and social surroundings that influence human
behavior, mood, and mental health. These elements include both natural factors
like daylight and green spaces, and social-built factors such as noise,
crowding, and architecture in human-made settings like homes, schools, and
workplaces. The field of environmental psychology studies this interaction to
create healthier, more supportive
environments.
How situational awareness changes
with respect to a time vector or other factors
Situational awareness changes
dynamically with respect to time, which requires continuous updates as
new information becomes available. Factors like the rate of change in the
environment, task characteristics, and individual-level factors such as
attention, stress, experience, and training all influence how quickly and
accurately a person can perceive, comprehend, and predict their surroundings.
In high-tempo situations, SA is constantly being updated; delays in information
processing or communication can lead to a lag
in awareness and increased potential for errors.
Situational awareness is critical
Situational awareness (SA) is key
for good decisions by letting you perceive, understand, and predict
your environment, helping you spot risks, act quickly, and optimize choices in
complex situations, from business to daily life, by linking past, present, and
future to guide action
Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is critical for decision-making because it
involves perceiving the environment, comprehending its meaning, and projecting future status, which
allows for better risk assessment
and more effective action. This skill is vital in various fields, from emergency
response to daily life, as it enables individuals and organizations to react
appropriately to threats, adapt to changing conditions, and make informed
choices that mitigate harm and optimize outcomes
Coping Tools
Coping tools are strategies like physical
exercise, relaxation techniques, and seeking social support, used to
manage stress and difficult emotions. These tools can be physical, emotional,
or cognitive, and they help regulate feelings and behaviors, enabling
individuals to function better despite challenges. Examples include meditation,
deep breathing, journaling, and problem-solving,
which aim to reduce stress and promote emotional and physical well-being.
Cognitive
Reframing negative thoughts
Challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with more
positive ones can help improve emotional well-being.
Problem-solving
Identifying the cause of a stressful situation and developing
strategies to address it can help reduce anxiety.
Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries by learning
to say no is crucial for
protecting your emotional well-being, as it helps reduce stress, prevent
burnout, and protect your mental health. This involves defining your personal
limits to protect your time, energy, and mental space, and communicating these
limits clearly to others to foster healthier relationships built on mutual
respect.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves focusing
on the present moment without judgment, which helps reduce rumination
by breaking cycles of negative thoughts and improves emotional regulation by
increasing awareness and non-reactive responses to feelings. Practices like
focusing on your breath or using your senses can anchor you to the present,
while a non-judgmental attitude
helps you observe thoughts and emotions without getting carried away by them.
Making a list of Positive Things
To make a list of positive things, focus
on gratitude for simple things, people, and experiences. This practice,
also called keeping a gratitude journal, can shift your perspective by
challenging negative thoughts and increasing a sense of well-being.
Mistakes and Legal - Informal
Restitution
Informal restitution refers to a situation where an offender,
particularly a juvenile, makes payments to a victim to cover losses, but this
is arranged outside of a formal court-ordered payment plan or supervised
probation. It can be part of informal supervision under Welfare and
Institutions Code 654.2 or result from the offender and their parents/guardians
agreeing to a restitution order until it is paid in full. Informal restitution allows for the needs of victims and
offenders to be met without the potential collateral harms associated
with formal systems, such as increased supervision or long-term credit damage.
Debt to Society – Prosocial Behaviors
The phrase that describes a person's
obligation to contribute positively to their community, beyond just
avoiding criminal acts, is civic
responsibility. It is often viewed as a call for civic duty and
gratitude. Here is an elaboration of the concept: Definition: Civic
responsibility is the ethical framework that holds individuals accountable for fulfilling their civic
duty and taking actions that benefit society as a whole. Scope: This goes
beyond basic legal obligations, like not committing crimes. It encompasses a
broader range of pro-social behaviors and active participation.
Volunteering – Pro-social
Volunteering is the act of offering
your time and labor to help others, a nonprofit, or a community,
without receiving financial payment. It encompasses a wide range of activities,
from helping at a food bank or animal shelter to contributing to environmental
cleanup or disaster relief. Volunteering can have significant personal
benefits, such as improved mental health, new social connections, and skill
development.
As Good as it Gets!
What does as good as it gets
mean?
Used to say that nothing
better is possible or available.
It's not a great restaurant, but in this part of the city, it's as good
as it gets. Used to say that something is very good and cannot be improved.
Setting things Right
"Setting things right" means to correct something, restore order, or make a situation fair.
It can refer to physically tidying a space, correcting a misunderstanding or
error, or improving a damaged situation. The phrase can also be used
metaphorically to describe making amends or restoring fairness after a mistake
or wrong has been committed, according to Cambridge Dictionary and
Merriam-Webster.
Mistakes of a Transitional Aged
Youth – Reframing & Limits
Flash’s Confession
Song by The Kinks ‧ 1974
And I wish I could erase
I was standing on the street with a whole crowd of people
And no one knew my name
And I was just another face
No one looked at me or touched me
Spoke to or acknowledged me
I had no identity or individuality
No thoughts of my own, no mind or personality
I was just a no one, a total nonentity
I'm just a number waiting to be called
It is time for confessing it all
I'm just another face
Yes, it's time for confessing it all…
Never gave I always took
Crushed people to acquire
Anything that I desired
Been deceitful and a liar
Now I'm facing Hell Fire
I can't believe that my time has come
For confessing all the evil
And the wrong that I've done
The reckoning's come
And now I'm just a no one
I confess to the timid and the meek
To the cripples and the beggars
And the tramps in the street
I confess my cruelty, my ego and conceit
I've opened up my body and looked inside
And I'm everything that I once despised
I confess for the thieves
The affected and deranged
I confess for the muggers and incurably insane
I confess to the ugly for being so vain
I confess to those I hurt for causing them pain
I'm just a number
Waiting to be called
And it's time for confessing it all
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kinks/flashsconfession.html
Not Quite Right
"Not quite right" means something feels slightly off,
incorrect, or not perfect, implying a subtle issue or feeling that something
needs adjustment, improvement, or a better explanation, but isn't entirely wrong or a major disaster.
It can describe a physical feeling (like an uncomfortable shirt), a strange
noise (in a car), or a general sense of unease (like a potential scam or
derealization).
Qualities of a Viking (Barbarian)
Qualities of a Viking include bravery,
courage, self-reliance, and ambition, which were highly valued and
shaped their warrior culture. Other key traits were physical strength and
endurance, honed through hard labor and training, along with industriousness,
honor, and fidelity. While often seen as brutal, they also had advanced skills
in craftsmanship, navigation, and trade.
Deficits of Vikings
It's been said a lot, but the
'Vikings' were scary because they generally conducted quick raids
against small communities and monastery's - killing, raping, burning and
carrying off anything of value. Jan 10, 2020
What percentage of Scandinavians
have Viking blood?
A definitive percentage is difficult to establish due to the long time
since the Viking Age, but estimates
suggest around 10% of modern Scandinavians have "Viking DNA,"
with figures varying by country. Some more recent studies show much higher
percentages, suggesting a more complex
picture of genetic ancestry.
Pillage and Plunder
"Pillage and plunder" refers to the act of stealing goods by
force, often during war, raids, or
other conflicts. "Pillage" typically refers to the
destruction of property and taking of goods, while "plunder" is more
specifically about the goods or loot that are taken. The two terms are often
used together to emphasize the violent and comprehensive nature of such acts.
Accountability
Accountability refers to the acceptance
of responsibility for honest and ethical conduct toward others. A
company's accountability extends to its shareholders, employees, and the wider
community in which it operates. Accountability also implies a willingness to be
judged on performance. Apr 10, 2025
Age of Accountability
The "age of accountability" is a religious concept, primarily Christian, suggesting a point
when a child becomes morally responsible for their own sins, often linked to
understanding right from wrong, varying by denomination (e.g., age 7 for
Catholics, 8 for Mormons), but not explicitly defined in the Bible, which hints
at gradual development, making it a matter of faith and interpretation rather
than a fixed number. Some traditions believe children before this age go to
heaven, while others believe all are
accountable from birth, depending on their understanding.
13 - Age of Accountability
The age of accountability is a theological concept about when a person
becomes responsible to God for their sins, with 13 being a common suggestion due to the Jewish Bar Mitzvah
(becoming a "son of the law") at that age, symbolizing transition to
adulthood and responsibility. However, the Bible doesn't specify a fixed age;
it varies by child's understanding of right and wrong, with some suggesting
Jesus at 12 in the Temple as a marker, while others believe accountability
starts earlier or later, focusing on gradual moral development rather than a
hard number.
Right from Wrong
Right from Wrong: My Story of Guilt and Redemption is a memoir by Jacob
Dunne about his journey after he was convicted of manslaughter for a fatal
punch he threw in 2011, detailing his time in prison, his struggles with
homelessness and guilt, and his path
to redemption through restorative justice, education, and reconciliation
with his victim's family, becoming a husband, father, and advocate for criminal
justice reform. The book explores themes of personal responsibility, the
justice system, and the possibility of change, and is the basis for the play
Punch.
Angry at self
Feeling angry at yourself is a common
emotion, often stemming from past
mistakes, negative self-talk, or external factors, and it can be
managed by practicing self-compassion, learning from the experience, and taking
time to reset. To cope, it's helpful to acknowledge the feeling, try to reframe
your thoughts, and take a break or engage in a distracting activity to gain
perspective. For persistent or severe feelings, seeking professional help from
a therapist or psychiatrist can be beneficial.
Negative Role Models
Bad role models are individuals
exhibiting negative traits like dishonesty, aggression, selfishness, or
irresponsibility, whose harmful actions can negatively influence others, though
sometimes observing them can motivate
people to choose better paths by showing what not to do, such as
substance abuse, bullying, or unethical behavior, leading to poor outcomes in
relationships, health, or finances.
Rationalization in Psychology
In psychology, rationalization is a defense mechanism where people
create seemingly logical but false reasons to justify unacceptable behaviors,
beliefs, or feelings, protecting their ego from guilt, shame, or anxiety, often
by minimizing flaws, blaming others, or convincing themselves something bad was
actually good (like "sour grapes" or "sweet lemons"). It's
a way to reduce cognitive dissonance
(mental discomfort from conflicting ideas) and maintain a positive self-image,
but overuse can hinder self-awareness and growth.
Rationalization in Sociology
In sociology, rationalization, a key concept from Max Weber, is the
historical shift where societies move from tradition, emotion, and mysticism
towards logic, efficiency, calculability, and predictability, seen in the rise
of bureaucracies, science, and capitalism, but also leading to
"disenchantment" and the "iron cage" of impersonal systems.
It's about justifying actions through
reason rather than custom, creating formalized structures that
streamline life but can strip it of meaning.
Vulnerability and Behavioral Health
Vulnerability in behavioral health involves circumstances (social,
environmental, personal) that increase
risk for mental health issues, but also the courageous act of showing
up authentically, which is crucial for healing and connection; it's facing uncertainty and potential
emotional pain to build genuine relationships and self-acceptance, contrasting
with rigid "false invulnerability" that blocks growth and fosters
isolation. Factors like trauma, poverty, stigma, loneliness, and genetics
heighten vulnerability, while embracing it (with trusted support) fosters
intimacy, resilience, and authenticity, allowing for true self-care and
recovery from mental health challenges
Victimization
Victimization refers to the experience of individuals who suffer harm or loss due to
various events, which can be categorized into three primary sources: natural
events, non-criminal human actions, and criminal acts.
Putting an End to Anxiety
Putting an end to anxiety involves a mix of immediate coping skills (like deep breathing, the 5-4-3-2-1
grounding technique, and light exercise) and long-term lifestyle changes
(healthy diet, regular sleep, avoiding caffeine/alcohol) to manage symptoms,
alongside professional help like therapy or medication for persistent issues,
focusing on calming the body and reframing negative thought patterns for
lasting relief.
Appendix – PTSD & Related
Scales