Category Archives: Understanding Psychology

Cancer Patients, My Teachers

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by Sandra Ebrada, PhD. (cand)

My initial contact with cancer patients was when I joined a group of psychologists in putting up the Cancer Support Program in a government hospital way back 1996.  For two years, we met with adult cancer patients and their caregivers to help them in their psychosocial care.  There, we listened to their stories as they dealt with the shocking disclosure, the decisions they had to make regarding their treatment, the sacrifices they and their families will have to endure, dreams that will have to die, the plans for a better life, however tentative, when going home.  Despite all these, in the program, we helped them celebrate what healing resources they have untouched by cancer and tap into them – their own bodies’ healing resources, remembering loving and good memories to uplift them, and sharing the love they have with their loved ones. Continue reading →

Finding the Rainbow after the Storm

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In the past week our country found itself marking the second anniversary of the devastation of Typhoon Ondoy with yet another storm wreaking havoc on most of the country. By the end of its fury, Typhoon Pedring left many of our countrymen reeling and in need of help.

In 2009, our consultant Ria wrote a post about how we can help one another find the rainbow after the storm. Here is a re-post of that article dated November 2009. Continue reading →

When Worrying is More than Just Worrying.

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By Lala Alcala

I never liked reciting in class when I was still in school. It just made me nervous doing so. But, I would still do it, because I understood that I had to, even if my heart sometimes pounded in my chest or I felt a little bit lightheaded.

I remember a girl in my class though, Maria* – she was a nice, quiet girl. Whenever teacher called on her, she would obediently stand up, but then would literally look like she was unable to move or speak; she would then turn red in the face, and shed copious amounts of tears, as the confused teacher looked on. Eventually, my classmates and I just came to expect that she would behave this way every single time.

We both dreaded recitation, but hers has gotten to an extent where it affected her ability to perform well academically. Rather than merely being afraid, Maria was anxious and most likely severely so at that.

Anxiety in children is quite common. In every stage of development, there is a new challenge to be tackled, and this brings with it a whole host of fears and anxieties. But what is the difference between fear and anxiety? Continue reading →

Why is He Strange? Understanding the basics of Autism

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by Tina Enriquez

Many people first learn of Autism through the media. A few years ago, an ad came out on TV with a child banging his head on the wall, which was meant to develop Autism awareness. For those who watched the movie Rain Man, they might have formed the impression that a person with Autism is somewhat odd but has certain exceptional skills like dealing with numbers, such as what Dustin Hoffman had in the movie. The TV program, Grey’s Anatomy, also featured a doctor with Asperger’s Syndrome, who was highly intelligent and skilled but who had difficulties relating socially with her colleagues. I myself first encountered Autism through the TV show, St. Elsewhere, a hospital drama back in the 1980s. One of the doctors in the show had a son with Autism who exhibited behaviors like rocking himself while seated on the floor, having severe tantrums, and not being able to express himself verbally. The above examples reflect some of the efforts to make people more aware of Autism. Unfortunately, there are still misconceptions about it, such as when the term “Autistic” is used as a derogatory term to insult others. In addition, the common understanding of a person with Autism as someone in his/her own world (“may sariling mundo”) is quite limited.

Autism falls within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which as the name implies, is a range. Some people in the spectrum exhibit more severe difficulties whereas others exhibit milder ones. In addition, people with ASD are unique individuals with their own strengths and resources. Nevertheless, people with ASD exhibit three common areas of difficulty: communication, social, and a restricted pattern of interest. However, it is important to note that not all the sample behaviors listed below would manifest in every person within the spectrum. Continue reading →

Towards the Emancipation of Battered Women

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By Dr. Boboy Sze Alianan

For many years, Agnes painfully admitted being physically, verbally and emotionally abused by her ex-husband.  A year ago, she managed to separate from him, and is currently living overseas.  “Every time he hurt me,” she reported, “he apologised and acted really repentant.”  And this often led her to take him back, believing what he told her that only she can make him better.  After all, he promised never to hurt her again.  And she believed him.  Only thing is, he did it again.  In fact, he did it again, and again, and again in the 12 years they were together.

Women like Agnes often have a hard time seeing what appears to be obvious for many who see the relationship from outside looking in.  Somehow, they find some reason within themselves to really believe that they were helping their partners become better persons.  For some of these women, they see themselves as some kind of martyrs who need to suffer in order to fulfil their purpose in life, in being some kind of saviour to their man.  For others, their values have misled them to think that they are meant to stay in their marriage for life, despite and in spite of their suffering.  They might even use some religious belief to justify needing to endure such sustained pain.  Still others mistakenly think that having an intact family is ultimately still better for their children, even as the children, whose interests they are so concerned about, often witness the abuse first hand. Continue reading →