About the Book

• The Lady and the Unicorn: A Psychological Metaphor



• Dreaming�With Eyes Wide Open: Schizophrenic Hallucinations



• Information Processing in Schizophrenia



• Clarification of our Clinical versus Forensic Function: Dual Relationship



• Art Psychotherapy



• Lord of the Rings: A Psychological Metaphor



• Aviation Psychology



• So, You have just been Passed by a Girl! A Holley Carborator may help



• Approaches in Memory Rehabilitation



• Memory Enhancement Module



• Negaunee Center



• The Final Transition



• Is Deinstitution- alzation a Misnomer



• Token System: a Psychiatric Case Study



• A Token Economy System: Inpatient Psychiatric Population



• Insight: An Aspect of Neurocognition

Aviation Psychology

Most recently aviation has receive another devastating blow. This occurred when a young teenager killed himself tragically using a small single engine airplane and flying it into the Tampa Bank Center in Florida on January 5, 2002. Two major issues have arising form this incident. The first, a criticism from a woman being interviewed on television in which she stated that 15 year olds do not have enough judgment to fly an airplane. This perhaps was her way of easily making sense of this terrible situation. Unfortunately, the explanation in my opinion, missed the mark of helping to explain this extremely complex situation. Investigations by peace offices in the aftermath of this incident, revealed that the young man had left a suicide note. This would suggest that he was unfortunately suffering from a devastating illness which crosses both age, gender, and professions equally. The illness of acute depression.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is stringent on the overall physical condition of a pilot in command and requires at least biannual physicals on private pilots such as myself. The FAA is even more stringent in their requirement of other pilots such as commercial and transportation pilots which appear to be directly proportion to their heavy responsible of protecting the public.

Speaking as both a pilot and psychologist, the concept of mood fluctuations is not new to anyone. These minor mood changes are within the natural and normal range of our human experience. Most of us have experienced this fluctuation between happy and sad, either due to situational or interpersonal factors. In a short period of time, our moods return from their highs and lows back to a normal homeostatic state or balance and we go on with our lives.

During my years of experience in the mental health profession, I have become aware of how devastating certain forms of mental illness are upon people. Some are tortured by overwhelming feeling of helplessness and hopelessness for extended periods of time. In fact, the term we use in the profession is that of a psychotic reaction. Psychotic represents an extreme end of an overall continuum of mental health functioning. Most of us are able to continue our day to day responsibilities, perform our duties and honor our obligations such as going to school or work in spite, of minor fluctuations in our mood. But an individual who has become psychotic is no longer able to function normally. Their personal hygiene begins to deteriorate along with their relationships with other. They are no longer able to care for their daily needs such as food, clothing or shelter. They no longer are able to continue to perform normal routines of work and school.

These are tortured individuals, not able to pull themselves up from this enveloping mood state. In addition, it should be appreciate that one of the cognitive factors first to be impaired by mental illness is one�s ability to recognize the changes in their thinking, moods, emotions and behavior. Usually, the first people to recognize those changes a those individuals closest to them.

Thus, it is our responsibility to assist individuals in need of treatment and provide opportunities for the individual to obtain treatment in the community. Talking to your friend and letting them know that you have notice changes in their personality may be a first step. Suggesting they speak with a mental health professional who may possibly be able to provide medications to alleviate some of their suffering may be another step toward treatment.

In conclusion, it is not for us to easily explain a situation away, by stating they are simply too young to make decisions and be responsible. By doing this we risk losing the opportunity to learn exactly what went wrong and what can realistically be done to prevent another tragedy from occurring.

Adult and Child Psychological Services

January 7, 2002