[Here's something scary to start your new year. . . ] << start of forwarded material >> ** Date: Mon, 1 Jan 1996 23:41:38 -0000 ** Reply-To: "POLI-PSY [ Political Science-Psychology/Psychiatry ]" ** <POLI-PSY@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU> ** Sender: "POLI-PSY [ Political Science-Psychology/Psychiatry ]" ** <POLI-PSY@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU> ** From: Michael Benjamin <pmhil@SHANI.NET> ** Subject: Prevention Of Trauma 2 ** X-To: Multiple recipients of list FORENSIC-PSYCHOLOGY ** <FORENSIC-PSYCHOLOGY@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>, ** Multiple recipients of list LEGALTEN ** <LEGALTEN@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>, ** Stress Traumatic <traumatic-stress@netcom.com> ** X-cc: Multiple recipients of list TRANSCULTURAL-PSYCHOLOGY ** <TRANSCULTURAL-PSYCHOLOGY@VM1.NoDak.EDU>, ** Traumatic Stress Forum <traumatic-stress@netcom.com> ** To: Multiple recipients of list POLI-PSY <POLI-PSY@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU> ** ** PREVENTION TRAUMA II ** ** In a previous letter I pointed out the need to eliminate ** trauma by prevention. I mentioned that there are generally Agencies ** whose function is to prevent trauma, if it is in industry, military, driving, ** etc. These agencies have criteria for excluding people who they feel ** are liable to mal-function and cause trauma (danger). Often these ** Agencies employ programs to reduced the likelihood of trauma. ** I pointed out that I feel it is legitimate to help these Agencies ** not in defining their criteria but in eliciting the given criteria by the use ** of the techniques which are used in a Diagnostic Setting. I emphasize ** that the presence or absence of these criteria are not indicative of any ** pathology. As such I feel that this discussion does not only belong in ** the field of Forensic Psychiatry but is a legitimate form of treating ** trauma, i.e. prevention. ** In the field of Road Safety in Israel the Institute for Road ** Safety is a medical institute which advises on likelihood of a driver to ** be dangerous. ** The examination is carried out on all applicants for a Public ** License (taxi, autobus), heavy vehicle drivers, and drivers involved in ** fatal accidents, and drivers or prospective drivers who have had ** contact with Mental Health Care. Generally the exams are given by ** Psychologists and are based partially on the M.M.P.I. and a clinical ** examination. More difficult cases are referred to Consultant ** Psychiatrists and an Ad-Hoc Committee. ** The criteria under discussion are mainly:- Concentration, ** Attention, Projectivity, Judgment, Consistency, Reality Jesting, Ability ** to identify , Confirm with instructions, Impulsivity and Control over ** Impulsivity. ** Over the years we have found these to be of primary ** importance and we thus concentrate on illnesses or personality ** disturbance where these criteria may well occur. ** If these indications are discovered we check if they are ** causing driving delinquency. If so, we then determine if there is a ** reasonable likelihood of the patient / examinee being made to ** understand and correct himself. Obviously in some instances this is of ** little likelihood. If these indications are present or applying for a new ** license, the application is rejected. If we allow a "trial" period, the ** position is first explained to the examinee, and we try and ascertain if it ** at all possible that he both understands and is able of "changing his ** ways". ** In addition to the "meeting point" between Forensic ** Psychiatry and "Preventive" Traumatology we feel that we are on the ** delicate meeting point of "Personal Rights" and Societies "Right to ** defend itself". ** We are under perpetual scrutiny, which I feel is justified and ** healthy. I would very much enjoy any comments or suggestions. ** ** ** Michael. << end of forwarded material >> j. ercole <joee@li.net> ny, usa pgp public key at: http://www.li.net/~joee/index.html $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$********************&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Stand By---.sig presently being unearthed in regression therapy.