UWRT-1102-091-WRTNG AND INQRY ACDMC CONTXT II

J. INTAWIWAT
FALL 2015

Brainstorming Topics for

Midterm Review
Imani Colclough

1. I think Chris was selfish why?

I think Chris was selfish for walking out on his family. His issues stemmed from his
parents fighting regularly and that they had secrets about how their relationship began.
Instead of truly confronting his parents for the emotional abuse that he and his sister
endured, he decided to run from his problems. In running away he caused more stress for
the family because they became obsessed with his where abouts. I think only a selfish
would cause this kind of pain on others because if he was truly selfless and beyond
concern for himself than forgiveness would have been a part of his voyage. Not only did
he show lack of concern for how his parents felt he also failed his sister. His younger
sister grew up in the same circumstances as he and it seemed as if they developed a bond,
to leave her alone to deal with the emotions. The least he could have done was to let his
family know his plans. I find his actions not only selfish but also cowardly.
Proposal
Subject: Running from your past problems
1.) Why do people run from their problems?
2.) What type of people run from their problems? Weak People?
3.) What alternatives are there to running away?
4.) Does running away solve or resolve issues?
5.) What is the psychological impact?
6.) Do problems follow you if not dealt with?
7.) What impact does this have on others?
8.) Can you ever overcome your problems truly, or will they always haunt you?
9.) Is life one big maze that we are all running around trying to forget in?
10.) What kind of problems do people run away from?
Why did you choose this subject over others? Why does it interest you?
I chose this subject because it is the one thing that catapulted Chris on his journey. If
Chris had lived a completely happy life, he may not ever begin this journey. I feel
like this is a origin story. It gives us a perspective on people and breaking points.
What things can people tolerate? My interest on the subject is learning more about
how Chris came to be. There are so many different ways to cope with your problems.
Some people turn to negative things, some people immerse themselves in more

positive things like causes, careers, hobbies, etc. Why Chris choose this path? Does
running away solve or heighten your problems?
Are the peoples comments going to change how you write your proposal? Are you
using comments in writing?
I found that all the feedback I received to be useful. I am incorporating a lot of it
into my writing. It helped me open up more rational which will allow me to expand
on my topics.

David M. Allen M.D. is the author of How Dysfunctional Families Spur Mental Disorders: A
Balanced Approach to Resolve Problems and Reconcile Relationships. Allen is a graduate of
U.C. San Francisco Medical School. He trained in psychiatry at the Los Angeles CountyUniversity of Southern California Medical Center. For sixteen years he has held the position of
emeritus professor of psychiatry and the former director of Psychiatric Residency Training at the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis Tennessee. He currently serves as
the associate editor of the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, and he previously held the seat
as treasure of the Association for Research in Personality Disorders. For 13 years during the
introduction of managed care health insurance he was in presided as psychiatrist in a private
practice in Sothern California. Allen has completed research on personality disorders and has
become a psychotherapy theorist. He has also written countless journal articles and book
chapters and three books specifically for psychotherapists: A Family Systems Approach to
individual Psychotherapy, Deciphering Motivation in Psychotherapy, and Psychotherapy with
Borderline Patients: an Integrated Approach.

Summarize: This article is a reflection on a letter to the newspaper advice column Annie's
Mailbox, it demonstrates several different approaches on how to deal with relatives who try
to make you miserable. The article begins with a woman who has decided to no longer
communicate with her mother and other family members around her mother. She seeks
advice from the advice column in which they recommend she goes to counseling and try
communicating differently with her mom. The article then follows various readers comments
supporting and opposing the advice given. The writer David M. Allen M.D expands on the
topic and explains the process of effective problem solving and how it can prevent future
relationship dynamics.

Assess: I think that Davids advice is very explanative on the process to solve family
problems, especially in comparison to the columnist who tells the woman to go to
counseling. David explains the importance on hiring the right counselor by making sure
to finding one who can help you discover the nature of the repetitive interpersonal
behavior patterns. I found it interesting that he emphasized on selecting a therapist who
shows empathy but calls you out when necessary. The article is both informative and
thought-provoking. It helps me dive deeper into the mind of Chris while on his own
journey of self-discovery and what he his legacy could have been if he had taken a
different course of action. The first portion of the article aside from the columnist advice
is very biased and based on self-experiences, David however is very informative but
remains objective. The goal is to get people to stop procrastinating and put forth the
effort to stop transmitting dysfunctional family patterns from generation to generation.

1.

Reflect: The source was helpful because of the different layers of human analysis. Allen
opens the scope even more by stating that most people who dysfunctional families feel that
they have only three choices which are cutting the person off, fighting back, and ignoring
the abuse. Then he dispels these myths by explaining it doesnt help the person cope with
the problem. He recommends changing how you approach family members and taking
responsibility for wrongful actions, and using the aid of a counselor when needed. It
reassured me on my opinions of the topics.

- 1 or 2 sentences to relate the article to your research topic (Assess), your personal experience,
or your future goals (if part of your assignment) or to add a critical description.
- REFLECT: Was/Is the source useful, biased, understandable, up to date? Will it help your
project and how? Has it changed your topic in any way (led you somewhere else)?

M. Allen M.D., David. "Stop Running Away From Your Family Problems Its Time to learn how
to stop dysfunctional family interactions.
www.psychologytoday.com/blog/matter-personality/201207/stop-running-away-your-familyproblems Posted July, 30, 2012