AM I ANXIOUS OR SICK? THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS OF ANXIETY
I’d like to introduce you to a fictional patient named John Smith. He’s a 10-year veteran of LASD assigned to patrol. John’s passionate about his job and has a loving and caring family at home. If you ran into him at the station or in the field, you’d think that everything is great. Unfortunately for […]
SOMETIMES WE ALL NEED A LITTLE HELP
Sometimes, we all could use a little help. “I can stop on my own!” I’ve heard this numerous times, and the person making this statement truly thinks they can do it on their own. If the individual is successful, no additional steps are obviously needed. But what if the person tries to cut down or […]
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Author and activist Bryant H. McGill is quoted as saying, “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” You are all well-versed in listening on the job, and you even have the ability to listen to things that are not said in interviews, investigations, etc. However, […]
NOW IS A GOOD TIME
Many of the recovering alcoholics I know are thankful daily that they gained their sobriety when they did. Most drinkers wish they could have sobered up earlier, although they almost unanimously subscribe to the idea that everyone quits drinking only when ready. Happily, not every alcoholic has to hit bottom before they can successfully quit […]
SPIRITUALITY AND DUTY
How does your spirituality influence your duty? Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than us. It typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience, something that touches us all. Spirituality is also […]
13 REASONS WHY
Depending on when this article is printed, the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why might be fresh in our minds or just something we Google to remind ourselves. Regardless of the timing, the topic of suicide is always current. I will neither glamorize nor vilify the show or suicide. As a psychologist, I am duty bound […]
FAILING TO PLAN
Every Sheriff’s employee knows the dangers of drinking and driving, or at least they know it when they are sober. Yet, it is a frequent occurrence for one of our employees to get arrested for driving under the influence. This indicates that, after drinking, many individuals say, “Yes, I am OK to drive,” when any […]
Contentment
“…in whatever state I am, to be content…” — Philippians 4:11 The race to a “better” life. The quest for a better position, a better car, a better house, a better relationship, a better physique or a better place in life. A pilot pondered this “better” as he flew a certain route. The pilot always […]