Lexicon of Madness -- Systematic Desensitization

Systematic Desensitization: An extremely effective behavioral treatment for phobias and other anxiety problems. Patients construct a "fear hierarchy" regarding the feared stimulus, ranging from activities they believe they could do right now (e.g., holding a magazine in which there is a picture of a snake) to activities they feel increasingly less comfortable with (e.g., handling a live snake). Relaxation training is an essential component of the treatment, which was developed by South African psychologist Joseph Wolpe. The treatment employs both graded exposure and counterconditioning, in which the patient experiences relaxation (or, at minimum, a significant diminishing of anxiety) in the presence of a feared stimulus. Wolpe also introduced the SUDS (Subjective Units of Distress Scale). Patients report their SUDS throughout the procedure (usually on a scale of 1, completely relaxed, to 100, extreme panic). Contrary to common belief, it is not necessary for a patient to become completely relaxed in the presence of one feared stimulus before moving on to the next item on the fear hierarchy. It is only necessary for the patient's SUDS to have diminished significantly, either through relaxation techniques or habituation. Systematic desensitization could involve either in vivo (real life) or imaginal exposure to feared stimuli. Exposures can be gradual ("graded exposure") or all-at-once ("flooding"). In flooding, there is a risk of the patient fleeing the feared stimulus prematurely, thereby reinforcing the existing avoidant response. Imaginal flooding therapy is sometimes called implosion therapy. Modeling (e.g., watching either a therapist or someone else of the same age and gender doing the feared activity) can also be very effective. Common phobias (e.g., dogs, snakes, elevators, flying, needles) can be treated successfully in a single session using this method. Systematic desensitization and similiar behavioral treatments have made it possible for people to live without being troubled by excessive or irrational fears.

Lexicon of Madness: Rorschach Inkblot Test

Rorschach Inkblot Test: The "ROR-shock" consists of a standard set of 10 ambiguous, symetrical inkblots, some achromatic, some mostly achromatic and red, and some brightly colored. The inkblots were developed and chosen by Hermann Rorshach, a Swiss psychiatrist, over 100 years ago. The inkblots are presented to a patient in a pre-determined order, with the instruction, "What might this be?" The clinician writes down, verbatim, the entireity of the patient's response. After an inquiry phase ("Help me see it the way you did"), a complex scoring system is used to quantify the patient's responses. In experienced hands, the Rorschach can be a valuable instrument for assessing psychological functioning. At one level of interpretation, how you perceive the inkblots conveys important information about how you perceive the world. Obsessional people tend to focus more on detail. Conventional people tend to see what the average person sees. People who are hostile or who come from hostile backgrounds tend to see animals or people fighting, not cooperating. Psychotic people tend to see things that the clinician cannot readily perceive, or provide illogical explanations for their perceptions. Contrary to popular belief, many of the Rorschach variables have well-established empirical correlates. The test is very useful in identifying "low-grade" psychoticism (i.e., "deviant thinking"), oppositionalism/anger, and psychological dependency. Scores on the Rorschach Suicide Constellation (S-CON) has been found to predict suicide completion in samples of psychiatric inpatients. Among experienced administrators, scoring is acceptably reliable. The test has survived significant bouts of controversary, some of which reflects ill-founded contempt for any method that appears reminiscent of the psychodynamic approach. Projective techniques such as the Rorschach enable assessment psychologists to uncover significant data about a person that he may have be unable, or unwilling, to reveal himself.

Lexicon of Madness -- Quetiapine

Quetiapine: An antipsychotic medication sold under the brand name Seroquel. Quetapine is approved for use in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is a dopamine, serotonin, and adrenergic antagonist. Because of its sedating effects, it is sometimes prescribed for people with insomnia (at low doses, Seroquel functions as an antihistamine). It is also sometimes used, inappropriately, to manage the behaviors of delinquent children and agitated dementia patients. In 2010, AstraZeneca, the maker of the drug, agreed to pay $520 million to settle claims of inappropriate, aggressive "off-label" marketing of Seroquel. Somnolence (drowsiness) is one of the most common side effects, as is weight gain. Quetapine was approved by the FDA in 1997 and is considered an atypical antipsychotic. Compared to traditional antipsychotics (e.g., Thorazine, Haldol), atypicals appear less likely to cause serious side effects such as tardive dyskinesia (3.9% versus 5.5%). In clinical trials, however, patients discontinue use of atypicals at about the same rates as traditional antipsychotics. Despite initial hopes, atypical antipsychotics do not appear any more effective than traditional antipsychotics at reducing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Lexicon of Madness -- Psychopathy

Psychopathy: A chronic, pervasive personality pathology characterized by impulsivity, irresponsible behavior, egocentricity, callousness, and empathy deficits. The estimated prevalance of psychopathy in the general population is 1%. About half of all law enforcement officers killed in the line of dury are murdered by people with psychopathic personalities. The term "antisocial personality" captures the psychopath's stance against society, but risks painting all habitual criminals as psychopaths. The term "sociopath" suggests that early social influences alone caused or influenced the adult deviant behavior. There are constitutional, biological, and genetic contributors underlying psychopathic traits, but psychopathy cannot be said to be genetically determined. David Lykken's low fear hypothesis suggests that psychopaths behave as they do, in part, because they do not fear the consequences of violating social norms as much as other people do. They are outgoing and have low social fear, which can help them to be charming con men. Under laboratory conditions, they are less likely to exhibit anticipatory anxiety in the face of punishment, and less likely to correct their behaviors after being punished. Failure to learn from punishment could explain why psychopathy is the best predictor of violent recidivism. Psychopaths are not psychotic, and they are not necessarily sexually sadistic serial killers. Psychopathic traits are more likely to be found among bank robbers and special forces operators.

Lexicon of Madness -- Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder: Often confused with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is a far more severe disorder. People with OCPD are rigid and perfectionistic. They are obsessed with order and routine, and are distressed by spontaneity and the unexpected. Interpersonally, they are rather stiff and formal and usually have few friends. They show a marked preference for work over pleasure. OCPD is seen more frequently in males than in females. They like having rules to follow, and don't mind enforcing them. People with OCPD are sticklers for the "letter of the law," and may utterly fail to comprehend the law's "spirit." They often have strict codes of moral conduct and can be condemning of those who fail to conform accordingly. Their perfectionism often gets them into trouble because they take far too long to complete even routine tasks. They may procrastinate before starting work or not turn in work that others would have considered finished. They are intolerant of what they see as other people's sloppiness or unpredictability. They take life very seriously and don't experience much joy. Often, they experienced very harsh upbringings marked by severe punishments for minor infractions. They have internalized the unrealistically high standards set by their parents. At best, they are "oversocialized," and at worst they are terrified, even paralyzed, by life. Their dedication to work, saving money, and minimizing waste represents an attempt to erect a barrier against chaos.

Ian McKellen reads Book I of The Odyssey

Well, this is awesome.

I'm kind of a Richard Lattimore snob, but Homer's greatness comes through in nearly any translation.

You might be familiar with Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey:




But he was also Richard III:

Ennio Morricone conducts music from "The Mission"

Here's the trailer for the movie: