Another day, another class

We spent last night going through sections of our DSM book which lists all the different diagnosis people can have. I was fortunate enough to have to study and explain Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD. This is one diagnosis I have a problem with (no, I'm not ODD). Some kids find that being defiant and rude gets them what they want, so they continue it and then are labeled ODD when in fact they are just brats. Now, there are some kids who are ODD, but some are just trying to get away with what they can so they get what they want. Okay....I need to stop with this, I'm getting a bit flustered and that's not counselor-like behavior. ....Well, all this to say, that as counselors, we need to be careful when diagnosing anyone, especially children, because that "label" follows them wherever they go.!

Who knew?

Oh my!! Who knew there were SO many things that could be wrong with a person. From ADHD to catatonic disorder to drug induced disorders to psychotic disorders, anxiety, mood, eating, sleep, dissociatve, impulse and so on. It's amazing the things we can find wrong with ourselves. There's even a diagnosis for hypochondria, which I will probably have after learning all these disorders!!! Man oh man!! And the depressing thing is that the American Psychiatric Association is coming out with a new manual for diagnosis that is even thicker than the last one. The current one is 2 inches thick and each year it seems likes they add an inch. At least they will be adding PMS to the new one!!!

I survived!!

Well, I survived my first night of summer school. The professor I have is quite fun. He loves to stir the pot. His favorite saying is "very, very interesting". Fortunately there is hardly any work . The class consists of learning all the different diagnosis and what numbers are assigned to them. For example, if your are suffering from separation anxiety disorder, your number would be 309.21 for diagnosis. If you were schizoaffective disorder, you'd be 295.70, The good news...by the time I'm done with this class, I will not see you as a name, but a NUMBER!!! Of course, I'll make sure to keep those numbers to myself for fear of bodily injure!!!

Summer School Begins

So tonight starts the long journey (or so it seems) of summer school. Twice a week, three hours a night until July 10th UGH!! I am so not thrilled to go, but on the other hand I shouldn't have any papers to do, I don't think. Oh well, at least it will give me a break from killing rabid spiders in the bathroom, wiping behinds and give me a chance to talk to adults. I look forward to that!! So, I'm off soon and will let you know how it goes!

The Journey Begins

Well, I survived 200 of practicum at VHS. It was a blast and I miss it greatly. I am so looking forward to going back in the fall. I would say that what I miss the most is the student interaction. I met so many neat students while there. Most of them will graduate this Friday, so I won't see them next year. There are a few that have asked that I see them again next year, which I am looking forward to. Tomorrow starts Summer school where I will be taking Diagnosis and Treatment. Should be interesting.