First General Meeting
In our first general meeting, we talked about Dissociative Amnesia, which was the mental disorder that gained the most votes on Clubs and Societies Day. However, that wasn't the only event for the day.
Two days ago was HELP’s Clubs and Societies Day. Six CPIC members arrived at 11:30am to set up the CPIC booth. Not something to be proud of, but we just managed to finish setting our booth up when HELP students started pouring in. Apparently, being FULLY prepared is something that we still have to work at.
Our team of six spent a lot of effort in introducing our club to the mass. I would say that this time round, the team has done a great, great job because the number of new members broke previous records – it doubled! So give yourselves a pat on the back for all the enthusiasm and hard work! We will be able to keep this up and better improve the CPIC!
Words are cumbersome, so I shall let the photos do the talking:
Xiang Yi introducing the CPIC potential 'customers'...
We would like to invite all members and non-members of CPIC to join us for this coming PsychoEducation Workshop. This workshop will be conducted by HELP students who are currently pursuing their Masters in Clinical Psychology. In this workshop, you will learn about different approaches to psychotherapy, mainly on Albert Ellis and Carl Rogers in the real working world. The program of the day is as below:
Date: 27th October 2010 (Wednesday)
Time: 12.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Venue: Yet to be confirmed.
Workshop 1: October 27, 2010 (12.30-2pm)
Introduction
Introduction to the objectives of the workshop and assess expectations of the workshop and the field of clinical psychology
Part 1- Introduction on therapy
An interactive discussion regarding their understanding of therapy
Part 2- Video (Albert Ellis & Carl Rogers)
Showcase of different approaches to therapy Part 3- Share experience and Q & A
Dscussion on the differences between approaches and identify approaches that students prefer
Sharing on Master's students' personal experience regarding the Clinical Psychology program
Do you want to be a clinical Psychologist? If yes, what should you do after getting a degree in Psychology. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a Clinical Psychologist? Do all clinical psychologist have to deal with mental-ill patients? What are the job prospects in Malaysia? Where can I work as a Clinical Psychologist?
The Clinical Psychology Interest Club committee understands that many students who are at the crossroads have the same probing questions as you. So, we've arranged a talk tailored to answer your questions.
We are truly honored to have our in-house lecturer, Dr. Ng Wai Sheng to give us a talk on "Becoming a Clinical Psychologist!" After Dr. Ng has shared her working experience, a group of Master's student will conduct a Q&A session with you where you can ask anything pertaining to the topic. That's one good news. The other good news is that we will be giving free refreshment towards the end of our program. Feel free to mingle around with us.
Here is the details: Wednesday, September 29 · 12:30pm - 2:00pm Location Wisma HELP (exact venue to be confirm)
For more information, please proceed to our Facebook link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110308122361806&ref=ts and confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you.
At this point of time, you'd be done with assignment deadlines and preparing for Finals of this short semester. I know, it has been tough for some of us, having to juggle between different deadlines and presentations all at once. Last meeting, we had an interesting discussion on the topic "Phobia". Kah Yan, the coordinator took us through the topic of fear at the start of the meeting. We thought this would of interest for you because all of us have fears and so, we can relate to this topic. For example, we have fear of exams. We have sweaty palms before entering the exam hall. We worried about the end result, whether we would pass with flying colors or fail to meet our expectations. On the other hand, we have unreasonable fear that gives rise to the phobias we experience. So, what is phobia? We heard of it many times...but really, do we have the right understanding for it?
What is phobia?
A phobia is an irrational and persistent fear of certain objects, activities or people. People with phobias will typically go to great lengths to avoid the feared object, situation or person. A diagnosis of an anxiety disorder may be made if the daily functioning of the individual is compromised by his or her excessive fear.
There are three types of phobia:
1. Specific phobia which is the most common type of phobia.
Specific phobia is marked and persistent fear that is excessive or reasonable. It can be caused b the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g. flying, heights, animals, seeing blood, receiving injection.) This stimulus usually triggers an immediate anxiety response which may give rise to predisposed panic attack. So, the person stays away from situation and stimulus to avoid intense anxiety and distress.
Specify type:
-animal type
-natural environment type (e.g heights, storms,water)
-blood-injection-injury type
-situational type (e.g. airplanes, elevators, enclosed places)
- other type (e.g., phobic avoidance of situation that may lead to choking, vomiting or contracting an illness, in children, avoidance of loud sounds or costumed characters)
2. Social phobia
This is marked with persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations where the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny of others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. The person usually avoid performance situation to avoid enduring with intense anxiety or distress.
3. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia means fear of being in places where it may be difficult or embarrassing to get out quickly especially when you think you will experience another occurrence of panic attack. Because of this fear, the person avoids the places where one think he or she may have a panic attack or panic-like symptoms. Commonly feared places and situations can be elevators, lines, bridges, driving, shopping mall and airplanes. Because the fear is too overwhelming, the person will choose to stay at home and avoid public places. It is painfully challenging and it robs you from an enjoyable life.
Top 10 Common Specific Phobia
•Acrophobia (height)
•Nytophobia (dark)
•Claustrophobia (confined space)
•Ophidiophobia (snake)
•Arachnophobia (spider)
•Trypanophobia (medical needle)
•Astraphobia (Lighthing)
•Nosophobia (disease)
•Mysophobia aka Germophobia (dirt or contamination)
•Triskaidekaphobia (fear of number 13)
Now, guess what does this phobia mean? Ahh.. without using google.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
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It's fear of LOOOOONNNGG WORDS!
How about this?
Phagophobia
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It's fear of swallowing. Abnormal fear of eating.
Thankfully, in most cases, there is a remedy especially for those who has irrational fears that robs them from functioning normally.
Treatment
Systematic desensitization and exposure (for specific phobias) and cognitive behavioral therapy (for social phobias).
Beta-blockers may be effective in treating performance-anxiety symptoms.
Drugs used in generalized social phobias include SSRIs (doses higher than those used in depression) or an MAOI (such as phenelzine). See also Panic Disorder for detailed description of medication issues.
For the second half of our meeting, we had a brief explanation on what 'Laugh Therapy' is about and its benefits.
Laughter therapy, which is also known as humor therapy is a therapeutic process which claims beneficial effects from using positive emotions associated with laughter. After all, laughter is the best medicine.
According to laughtertherapy.webs.com, laughing can help in:
a) lowering blood pressure
b) reducing stress hormones
c) increasing muscle flexion
d) boosting immune function by raising levels of infecting-fighting T-cells, disease fighting proteins called Gammainterferon and B-cells, which produce disease destroying antibodies.
e) triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers that produces a general sense of well-being.
Other benefits include internal workout. Good news for us who wants to shade some calories. Laughter also gives us a positive perspective when we are caught in a gloomy situation. It allows us to think of the bright side of things, sometimes. Laughter also bonds us together with our family and friends. No wonder it's always good to laugh together. Happy people attracts people together! =)
Here are some videos. Hope it will tickle your funny bone.
Have a great weekend ahead. We look forward to see you in the next semester!
First General Meeting
