Psychologists

Psychologists
__Task 1, Books I-IV__As a __troubled teenager__ growing up without his father, Telemachos has been coming to you for counseling. For months, you have been observing his actions and listening to him talk about his family and home life. Most recently, along his journey, Telemachos has been sending you letters, sharing the details of his experiences with you. As a result of all of these sessions with your patient, what can you conclude about Telemachos’ character? Can you diagnose Telemachos? In your psychological report, list Telemachos’ behaviors, beliefs, or statements and your conclusions about him.

@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLFHiWyn0JU
 * Link to Psychologist's Vlog on Telemachos:**

Hello my name is Dr. Leon Chiang and I am Telemachos’ psychologist. Telemachos has been going through a very rough patch of his life. His father Odysseus has been missing for quite some time, and his house has become overrun by suitors that wish to marry his mother. All of this stress has not been good for Telemachos’ health, and I think it is in his best interest to take a break from the chaos and reassess how he should handle the invaders in his house. I have diagnosed Telemachos with a severe case of anxiety, exhibited by his emotional and reckless behavior when he addressed the people of Ithaca in the town square and when he decided to take a ship and find his father across the sea. In my professional opinion, Telemachos must be found and convinced that he must focus on his home situation instead of abandoning his mother and going on a wild goose chase.
 * Video Script: **


 * Telemachos' Facebook Page:**



Task 2, Books V, VI, and IX __ You have the opportunity to meet with Odysseus in the land of Phaicia between his visit with the king and his recreation with the residents. He has been away from his home for two decades, and you are certain that his time in battle and violent travel afterwards has had some effect on his overall psyche. Does he show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder? Write a transcript of your brief session with Odysseus, including questions and answers, with a brief explanation of your findings. Remember, you want Odysseus to talk about his past experiences and his reaction to them, and you hope that his answers will reveal his personality and character. [Hint: You may need to investigate post-traumatic stress disorder and provide some information/links for your classmates.

// (godly voice) // // Odysseus... I have come to help. Do not fret. I am the Olympus Psychologist. // Being that you sought me out, how do you think I feel? I feel a terrible sinking feeling. It is as if I am in a fifty foot hole with no way out. I cannot believe the gods have sent me someone to help me with my problems. The world ahead of me must truly be bleak. As I look out into the vast blue sea, I cannot accept that I will probably never see my sweet Penelope and bright Telemachos ever again. The feeling is something I cannot explain. When I first killed a man, I felt a tearing at my gut. I knew that I was doing the right thing by defending my country, but I could not help to think of that man’s family who would be so crushed to know their husband, brother, son, father was killed. All I wanted was to not end up being one of those men whose families was left abandoned. Now I feel that I have abandoned them. They probably believe I am long gone and shall never return. But I am determined to return. Well, Agamemnon, as our leader in the war, often took control. At times he would refuse my well thought out advice statements and ignore me entirely. Sometimes I felt I needed to prove myself to him and to the other soldiers. I wanted to prove that I was strongest. Yes, actually I do! I want to prove to the gods that I am just a tough and strong as any soldier. As I continue on the difficult journey the gods have paved for me, I pray that I can persevere and prove to myself that I am more courageous than any other man that has faced a terrible journey such as mine. // Justification: // // " // Foolhardy man! Why do you want to provoke the madman?[...]" "But I was determined not to listen, and shouted again in my fury: 'I say, Cyclops! If ever any one asks you who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus, the conqueror of Troy, the son of Laërtes, whose address is in Ithaca!' " *tear trickles down his left cheek* I wish I knew. (tears fall). Most likely still in Ithaca, struggling to control the people without me. I hope Telemachos is alright as the man of the house. Being away from my homeland for two decades has been difficult. I miss my family terribly. The dreams I have of seeing them again torment me day and night. All I want is to see my beautiful wife Penelope again. My ears yearn at night for the sound of her voice. She is my life, my everything. And Telemachos, what a bright boy I’m sure her must be. It kills me to know I wasn’t able to see him grow up and be there for him as a father. Although I have done nothing wrong, I feel guilt, as if I had chose to abandon them. // Justification: // "[...] Calypso went in search of Odysseus. She found him sitting upon the shore. The years were never dry in his eyes; life with its sweetness was slowly trickling away. " Everyday I worry about them. I wonder what they are doing right now, how they are getting along without me. Sometimes I completely panic and my mind goes to the worst case scenario, where they both are in torture and need my help. I feel helpless and lost. I only want to sit on my rock and cry the rest of my days away. I can only pray to the gods that they are being protected and cared for so that nothing terrible happens while I’m gone. I just cannot get over stress. I used to laugh at the people who worried about everything back in beautiful Ithaca. What a fool I used be. Now that I my only company is Calypso I just do not know what to do. I does not even help when I cry. How can I not be stressed when I do not even know if I still have my family. (tears and sobs) Explanation: After speaking with Odysseus about his many troubles, I conclude that he in fact has PTSD. His anxiety and fears are common signs of PTSD. After suffering a long brutal war, then fighting more soldiers and traveling long in far in the ocean, I could not comprehend him not suffering from post-traumatic stress. What seems to hurt him most is being separated from his family and his people. I can feel it in my soul that the gods will be sure he returns home soon enough.
 * Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: **
 * // What is PTSD? //**
 * A disorder that occurs after someone goes through, sees, or learns about a traumatic event. Some of these events could include: combat, abuse, terrorist attack, serious accidents, natural disaster.
 * // What are the symptoms? //**
 * Reliving the event
 * Avoiding situations that are a reminder of the event
 * Feeling numbness
 * // What are triggers of PTSD? //**
 * Loud noises
 * Particular smells
 * Places associated with the trauma
 * Sounds, accents, or music heard during the trauma
 * // What are possible treatments? //**
 * ** Psychotherapy ** (a type of counseling)
 * Medication (antidepressant)
 * How do you feel? **
 * As a soldier, how does it feel to take someone’s life? **
 * Has anyone ever made you feel inconsequential or inferior? **
 * Do you still feel the need to prove yourself? **
 * Where is your family now? **
 * Describe the stress you face everyday not seeing your family. **
 * How do you manage this stress? **

__ Task 3, Books X-XII __ Since you are a renowned psychologist, you are in the process of writing a self-help book. You are currently creating/drafting a chapter entitled, “Fate vs. Free will: Does man control his own destiny?” Using the adventures that Odysseus and his crew experience as evidence, create/draft this chapter. You may use evidence from the second reading as well. Remember that as a counselor, you want to provide examples that explain the advice you are giving your readers. Consider creative ways to present your findings/advice (i.e. chart, outline, etc.).