Psychiatry

I've spent a lot of time learning, and trying to understand why having purpose in life is so important. I finally came to an understanding. Having a purpose in life, and following through with it, gives the person both a sense of meaning, and worth in their life, as well as fulfillment. When one feels like they are fulfilling their purpose they are much more likely to live a happier, and more enjoyable life. As well as feeling as though there is worth in their existence. Fulfilling your purpose here can make people feel whole, and feel good about themselves.

____________________________________________________________

To satisfy a feeling of belonging or want for yourself to fit in.

The idea of having a purpose is a "benign delusion" that helps most people cope with life's meaningless stresses and incomprehensible disasters. If you can find a way to abandon the "benign delusion" of having a purpose and still cope with the hard parts of reality you might do better. However if the "benign delusion" of having a purpose includes other people, I cannot recommend abandoning it as that may be less benign than just keeping the delusion undisturbed.

The function in evolution of "benign delusions" such as having a purpose, etc. are usually to assist binding human societies, human groups, and human families together. The systems in the brain for their formation evolved long before language did (most primates and some other mammals and certain bird species also can form them), so beliefs had to form faster than they could be verified. Now our language often shows us the beliefs formed in "benign delusions" are wrong and that is very hard to accept.

The very same brain systems that support "benign delusions" can support clinical delusions, causing many mental illnesses. The very brain wiring that helps hold our societies and relationships together, is the root of delusional mental illness.

Really,,,,having purpose is a "benign delusion"?? Then just about every human being is delusional. Explain that concept please. The simple purpose of keeping oneself alive and well is a benign illusion?

No, conversion therapy does NOT work.

No mainstream medical or psychological institution endorses or supports the idea of conversion therapy. Not only does it not work, it can be detrimental to the health of the patient.

Furthermore, there is absolutely no reason why someone would want to get themselves treated for "homosexuality" since it is not a mental condition. A statement from the American Psychological Association (APA) is quoted below:

No, lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are not disorders. Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology. Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality. Both have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding. Therefore, these mainstream organizations long ago abandoned classifications of homosexuality as a mental disorder.

The APA also directly advises against the use of conversion therapy and warns against its dangers:

All major national mental health organizations have officially expressed concerns about therapies promoted to modify sexual orientation. To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation (sometimes called reparative or conversion therapy) is safe or effective. Furthermore, it seems likely that the promotion of change therapies reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. This appears to be especially likely for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who grow up in more conservative religious settings.

For colleges and universities within the United States and its territories, you can obtain this information by clicking on the related links section (College Board) indicated at the bottom of this answer section and using the College Board site College MatchMaker search engine. You can research colleges and universities by name, or by programs of study, or by geographical location, size, or combinations of part or all of them. The site will provide you with a list of institutions based on your request. It will give you the schools background, accreditation, degree offerings, programs of study (majors),entrance requirements, tuition and fees, financial assistance, room and board, athletic programs, school activities, etc., and a link to each institutions official web page. Practice navigating this site. It will be well worth the time and effort.

WARNING!!!

When choosing a college or university within the United States, make sure the institution has a regional accreditation. With a regional accreditation you can be assured the coursework and degree you complete will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. Below I have listed the six regional accrediting agencies and their geographical areas of responsibility. I am disclosing the below so you do not become a victim of educational scams, institutions that are nothing more than diploma mills, or that do not have the best accreditation, and are eager to take your money for a degree that is worthless. Make sure the institution is accredited by one of following responsible agencies.

Regional Accreditation Agencies

Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy:

A New Approach to Art Therapy

By: Dr. Reza Johari Fard[1]

"Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy"

theory, which we called it "Themes Theory" in abbreviation, at first, proposed because of this question that, for describing art works, specially musical pieces, with various and differences types of them, for different persons and clients, what reliable and valid method and protocol can be used?

Recently research in these years, caused to created "Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy" model by Reza Johari Fard (2006; 2009; 2011).

Conceptualization

We can investigate art works in to ways:
1- Analytic and Reductionism way: which is investigated art works elements and parts.

2 - Synthesis and Holistic way: which is investigated ideas and whole of an art work; this concept is called “theme” (Johari Fard, 2006; 2009).

Generally, "Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy" has Three Stages:
I

) Lifetheme Analysis;
II ) Objecttheme Analysis;
III) Prescribing (Johari Fard, 2011).

I) Lifetheme Analysis:

Lifetheme, is a new concept which means, the theme or subject of life.

Definition of Lifetheme:

Lifetheme is the interaction between intrapersonal and interpersonal factors.

Such as interaction between needs and press in Henry Murray's Personality Theory.

In this model, we have three indexes for analyzing lifetheme:

1) Reaction Style;

2) Selection Style;

3) Evaluation Style (Johari Fard, 2006; 2009).

In our research by semi structure interview, TAT and "Lifetheme Analysis Questionnaire" (LAQ; Johari Fard, in press), we could found three below lifetheme:

1- Body (somatic) lifetheme;

2- Emotional lifetheme;

3- Cognitive lifetheme (Johari Fard, 2006; 2009; 2011).

For example, in the people with body lifetheme, their "body" is important in reaction, selection and evaluation. They select strong and athlete persons; they react by their body in different issues; and they don’t like to thinking and spirituality (Johari Fard, 2009; 2011).

For in the people with emotional lifetheme, their reaction, selection and evaluation index is "emotion". For example, most of the Iranian has emotional lifetheme; they select emotional music and movies, they react by their feeling and they are very sentimental; and usually evaluate issues by their emotion.

Also, in the people with cognitive lifetheme, their reaction, selection and evaluation index is "cognition". They like to think about every thing, solving the problems and in general, they are logical and rational persons. Their life is like "chess". I think Germans have cognitive lifetheme[2]. In our research by "Lifetheme Analysis Questionnaire" (LAQ; Johari Fard, in press), we found significant correlation between this lifetheme with spirituality.

Forming the lifethemes is because of "Bio-Psycho-Social-Culture" conditions and developed in three below stages:

1- Body Lifetheme Stage: from the begging of the birth. In newborn baby, "body" is the dominant object. (In this stage "Rhythm [Ahang]" index of objectthems is dominant).

2- Emotional Lifetheme Stage: this stage begins after body lifetheme stage and its peak is in the puberty. (In this stage "Color [Rang]" index of objectthems is dominant).

3- Cognitive Lifetheme Stage: after puberty and finding identity, this stage begins.

In "Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy" theory, everyone has these three lifethemes, but one of them is dominant.

II) Objecttheme Analysis:

Objecttheme, is another new concept in "Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy" theory, which means the theme of every phenomena or object.

For example, nature (sea, tree, …), books, music, movies, and every thing in the world, has its own theme.

In this theory, we can find these themes by three indexes:

1) Rhythm index (AHANG);

2) Color (Chrome) index (RANG);

3) Contemplation index (DERANG[3]) (Johari fard, 2009; 2011).

Objectthemes in Music Therapy

As we mentioned before, we can use every phenomena as an objecttheme, and after anglicizing the elements of it, we can prescribe it to particular lifetheme.

In passive music therapy, we had several researches to find out the objectthemes, and we could find three below objecthemes in music therapy:

1- Somatization objecthemes (Body objecthemes);

in general, in this objecthemes, rhythm (Ahang) index is dominant.

2- Mood- making objecthemes

(Emotional objecthemes); in this objecthemes, color (Rang) index is dominant.

3- Relaxation objecthemes (Cognitive objecthemes);

in this objecthemes, contemplation (Derang) index is dominant (Johari Fard, 2006; 2009; 2011).

III) Prescribing

The third stage of this model is, prescribing the particular objectthemes to particular lifethemes. In below diagram, we show this model:

Objecttheme Analysis

Prescribing

In below table, we summarized the "Themes Analysis & Theme Therapy" theory and several examples in music therapy:

Lifetheme

Objectheme

Describing

Music Therapy

Examples in classical music

Examples in Persian music

Body

Rhythm

(Ahang)

Color & contemplation

objectthemes

Relaxation themes/

Mood- Making themes

Air (Bach)/

Nocturn (Shopin),

Lark (Schubert)

Mahour/

Shour, Nava, Segah

Emotional

Color

(Rang)

Rhythm &

contemplation

objectthemes

Relaxation themes/ Somatization themes

Air (Bach)/

Dance (Brahms)

Mahour/

Chahar gah

Cognitive

Contemplation

(Derang)

Rhythm &

color

objectthemes

Mood- Making themes/ Somatization themes

Nocturn (Shopin),

Lark (Schubert)/

Dance (Brahms)

Shour, Nava, Segah/

Chahar gah

References:

1- Johari Fard, Reza (2006). Therapeutic themes, themes of psychological effects of music therapy Proceedings of first congress of art therapy, Tehran, Iran, Shahid Beheshti University: 102-108.

2- Johari Fard, Reza (2009). Theme Therapy, Tehran: Asim Publication.

3- Johari Fard, Reza (

2011

).

The Effect of Musical themes and Their Presentation techniques on Reducing Students' Anxiety (

19th European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA), Vienna, Ausrria).

[1]- Clinical Psychologist, Faculty member of University, Researcher of Iranian Institute of Higher Health and Iranian Association of Music Therapy.

Email: rjoharifard@gmail.com

[2]

- Of course we must investigate on German and the other people of other cultures, by "Lifetheme Analysis Questionnaire", to compare their lifethemes.

[3]

- Ahang,

Rang & Derang, are Persian words.

They would have to have obtained a license to practice that sub-specialty of medicine.

I believe (but am not entirely certain) that the law requires that their degree be displayed in their office.

However, I AM 100% certain that their state license to practice medicine is required to be posted in their office in plain view of the public. From that you could detemine his license number and (if necessary) call the state licensing board and inquire what his qualifications are.