|
 The
Kings Speech Oscar
By Gail-Elaine
Tinker, M.S.
My Oscar hopes are on The Kings Speech, such a lush and engaging
film, so full of heart. Colin Firth plays King George VI,
who in a final attempt to overcome his lifelong stammer, is
introduced to Lionel Logue, an unorthodox speech therapist,
of sorts, played by Geoffrey Rush. The central plot is that
when the stammering prince learns he might be king, he works
on his speech defect (as it was called then) so that he might
be prepared for the new invention called radio. I'll try not
to give away any of this lovely film, more than it commonly
known as history.
The result is a fascinating look at the infancy of psychotherapy
itself, a topic for which I am deeply passionate. The character
Logue describes it accurately as coming out of the compassion
for the "shell shocked" soldiers of World War I.
In a time when psychological distress was considered a weakness
of character, and even in a war where the horrors of trench
warfare meant that about 10% of the fighting soldiers were
killed (compared to 4.5% during World War II) and the total
proportion of troops who became casualties (killed or wounded)
was 56%. [wiki/Combat_stress_reaction] Logue describes aiding
soldiers by means of movement, books, music, art, trust, and
talking about their past, techniques deeply foreign in the
1930s.
 In
2011, Shellshock is known today as post-traumatic stress,
a psychological disorder that develops in some individuals
who have had major traumatic experiences. The person is typically
numb at first but later has symptoms including depression,
excessive irritability, guilt, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks
to the traumatic scene, and overreactions to sudden noises.
Post-traumatic stress became known as such in the 70s due
to the adjustment problems of some Vietnam veterans. PTSD
is not limited to war victims but may also be victims of trauma
of disaster, accident, crime, illness, and other circumstances.
It is classified as an Anxiety disorder but it gravely impacts
al aspects of the sufferer's life and those who love him or
her.
According to advocacy group, Veterans for Common Sense, the
Veterans Administration is treating 143,530 new PTSD patients
which is up from 134,000 the year before including Iraq and
Afghanistan conflicts, but does not include the veterans who
have refused treatment and those who have the Traumatic Brain
Injuries common in these wars. They cite avoidance, denial,
mild cognitive impairment, substance abuse, and depression
are all characteristics of this disorder that lead to the
common behaviors of people with post traumatic stress disorder
and will prevent a vet from seeking help when they really
need it. Addiction, domestic abuse, vocational difficulties
are among the difficulties veterans experience as a result
of their service.
So the soldiers are the real heroes, and the people who figured
out how to help the soldiers put their lives back together
from battlefield to hearth and farm are also amazing. These
early therapists found their way and learn to duplicate methods
and study what worked and why. I have studied these people
and I follow their success and their methods. It is the synthesis
of compassion, art, and science which moves me.
|
| Gail-Elaine Tinker, M.S.
is a psychotherapist in private practice on the Lehigh Valley
PA. She was born in Philadelphia in May 1960, eldest of three
children. She was greatly interested in writing, language, theater
and music throughout her youth which opened opportunity such
as performance, travel, and academics. Gail-Elaine had planned
a career in teaching English but upon seeing the state of secondary
education in the 80s, she re-tooled her skills to become an
addictions counselor.
She was married and has a gifted son with
AS. She had a career in Art and entrepreneurial publishing
while raising him. Upon her divorce she furthered her credentials
with a Masters in Clinical Psychology and Master Levels in
Reiki training. Her goal is to change the stigma of mental
illness and facilitate positive solutions for her clients.
Gail-Elaine continues her work in trauma,
chronic pain, grief, and addictions in her general practice
of psychotherapy with art and somatic psychology. She serves
as Therapist, Consultant, Life Coach, Reiki Teacher, Advocate,
Community Speaker, Blogger [www.tinkerpsychotherapy.com],
and also as Features Contributor for PCM.
|
|
The advice contained in this web site is presented for information
and entertainment purposes only. The material is in no way
intended to replace professional medical care or attention
by a qualified mental health professional. Keep in mind that
asking for advice relating to a problem, be aware of the limitations
related to a web based discussion. Ms.Tinker cannot answer
each and every question personally, however, she offers a
wealth of informational links on her private
website. Questions and answers selected for publication
on this site reflect intent for information and do not intend
to discriminate on any basis other than our perceived relevance
to our viewers and timely variety of the subject matter.
Submit your questions or concerns to Gail-Elaine via e-mail
directly here.
Your privacy is very important to us. We will not give away
any personal information for anyone submitting legitimate
questions, with the exception of those who reveal crime or
intention to do harm to self or others.
The material in this web site cannot and should not be used
as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. If you find
something which should be corrected, please write to Joe@popculturemadness.com.
|
