S.A. eLetter (2-27-12)
John P.
Greetings S.A. Family on the Internet,
Over the past few weeks we've been discussing the Michigan State
University study of Schizophrenics Anonymous. Another interesting
point in this study is how members view their S.A. group leaders and
fellow members. We know for instance that 83 percent of the members
felt that attending S.A. meetings helped them learn more about
schizophrenia. In addition:
* 47 percent of S.A. members valued "a lot" the expertise and
knowledge of their S.A. group leader; and another 36 percent valued "a
fair amount" the expertise and knowledge of their S.A. group leader.
That's a combined total of 83 percent. (Similar answers were reported
for the perceived value of the members' primary therapists and of
other S.A. members.)
Using slightly different language:
* 43 percent of S.A. members valued "a lot" the technical information
provided by their S.A. group leader; and another 34 percent valued "a
fair amount" the technical information provided by their S.A. group
leader. That's a combined total of 77 percent. (The percentages were
a little higher for the members' primary therapists and a little lower
for other S.A. members.)
SOURCE: Michigan State University final report, April 20, 2000
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--Stress Management, part #64
Stress and Introversion, part two
About 30 percent of folks are introverts, inward sort of people. Introverts, along with being more quiet, are often more cautious, inhibited, and fearful. Stressful situations can bring these traits on noticeably. Not good? Well, sometimes these traits are really kind of helpful. Extroverts are bigger risk-takers--which is often more exciting to them, but also leaves them more open to difficulties or collateral damage. Northwestern University scientists have found that there may even be a dopamine-regulating gene in our system that comes to play in this willingness to take risks. Introverts are more inclined in stressful situations to be circumspect and lower their damage exposure.
Researchers at Florida State University have found that deliberate practice in solitude is key to achieving a transcendent skill. Introverts are better at this kind of thing. Learning to play a musical instrument is this way. Virtuosity comes from solitary practicing with the instrument
Another matter of stress and introversion has to do with office environments. According to Time magazine, 70 percent of office workers work in open office plans. This mean cubicles and the like. Very little separation for folks. Introverts would find this less comfortable, on average. And too, since 1970 the cubicle areas have been getting smaller--reducing from 500 sq. feet per person to the 200 sq. feet for person space of today. More stress for introverts, who are more private.
Harvard psychologists have come up with a concept called Free Trait Theory, to help understand how introverts and extroverts navigate their local worlds in getting what they want. An introvert, for instance, may act out of character to achieve a personal goal. According to the theory, we have "fixed bits of personality" and we work with three different personal identities. We all have wishes, desires, and goals. We all have things that stand in the way of getting these sorts of wants. We balance our identities to move towards our goals.
The three identities are our biological identity, our sociogenic identity, and our ideogenic identity. The biological identity is our inborn traits like looks, intelligence, or introversion vs. extroversion. The sociogenic identity is the expectations on us presented by our culture, family, and religion. Our ideogenic identity is our combination of desires and sense of what matters. An introvert might decide that he wants to spend the rest of his life in a university environment. But to do this, he may have to learn enough public speaking skills to stand in front of a class and teach the material he has mastered. A balancing act of identities can occur in situations like this. Goal-seeking can be stressful.
SOURCE: Time magazine (2-6-12)
Stress Management Series Prior Editions
Below are links to the first 40 parts of the Stress Management Series to date. The more recent parts are at the S.A. eLetter site at Google.
Stress Management Series I (Parts #1 to #16):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/584aa4af7b45c502
Stress Management Series II (Parts #17 to #29):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/f240f7bad9902a81#
Stress Management Series III (Parts #30 to #40):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/e0f98e3ce6dafc7f
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--Our Suffering in Perspective
The suffering of schizophrenia patients is real. And other people
suffer too. We wish to also recognize the struggles of other
suffering people. For instance:
Civil Unrest
Some cities and countries are unsettled by civil disturbances.
In Syria, a large portion of the population is in the streets in opposition to the regime there. Some 6,000 civilians have been killed.
We do not suffer alone.
SOURCES: Time magazine (2-13-12)
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--Website of the Week
Schizophrenia Digest
A quarterly publication containing stories of hope and inspiration for those interested in schizophrenia. It covers not only inspirational stories but offers updated information about current news and events in the treatment of the disorder.
check out this website--
http://samhi.mimh.edu/cache/consumer/Schizophrenia%20Digest.htm
For other helpful links to websites related to mental illness, check out our SARDAA webpage at this address:
http://www.sardaa.org/resources/
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--Quote of the Week
There are probably a lot of different views on this one--
"The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself."
-Wallace Stevens (1879-1955), American poet
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Bye for now, and everyone have a great couple of weeks.
--John P., member of S.A.
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For more information about
Schizophrenics Anonymous.:
The new S.A. website is at:
http://www.sardaa.org
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For the Google information group for S.A.:
http://groups.google.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
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For the Yahoo discussion group for S.A.:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
NOTE: Earlier editions of the S.A. eLettter and the Schizophrenia News
Links are posted at the Google information group for S.A. (link given
above). Also, the S.A. eLetter will come
to your e-mail inbox when published by signing up at the S.A.
Information Group at Google.
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Fact Sheet Information about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective
Disorder--
* National Institute of Mental Health--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
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* Mental Health America ( formerly the National Mental Health
Association):
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/schizophrenia
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* National Alliance for the Mentally Il
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
--description of schizoaffective disorder:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
(Organization now called National Alliance on Mental Illness)