Should emplyee's whistleblow and expose companies who allow work place bullying

Well if you are asking me, as a person who has been bullied I would say yes, tell whoever will listen.

Write to the head office, speak to your local MP or someone close to you expose these firms.

That is exactly what I am going to do here and I am willing to face the consequences, should it happen.

IKEA WALES, I was bullied while in work by a fellow member who I respected and trusted, yet they still physiologically bullied me not speaking to me, ignoring me and well mucking my work up so I would get into trouble and I have found out in the last few months that this came from the top, yes you heard me senior management.

You see 3 years ago I had a nervous breakdown and went through it while working the night shift, with no one else there, I was saying I was doing certain tasks and signing to say I had done them, yet I was not.

I my own mind I was doing them and it was not until I had a look at some CCTV footage I realised, I was not doing them and it was frightening, to see myself doing this, if this was happening what else was happening, I do vaguely remember having a file note for not doing these checks and breaking down in tears in front of my manager and since I have been told that this was me crying out for help, yet none was forth coming.

Since this time, pressure was put on me to do this wrong, so to give the company a reason to get rid off me, they used my Mental Health Issues against me and I am sure there is a law against it, but it is hard to prove.

So the company eventually got what they wanted me to make a mistake, the pressure had so much, I was suffering with work related stress, because of the way I was being treated by my fellow co-worker and also my supervisor and another co-worker within my department and was told it was all my own fault by my supervisor and the HR Manager.

The people I trusted and respected I turned to yet they did nothing, they are not the one's out of a job now, but me.

They know the bullying happens and yet they just want to brush it under the carpet.

I urge any employee who is being bullied expose, the company for allowing it to happen and the co-worker who is doing it to you and always REMEBER YOU ARE NOT A COWARD FOR ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN AND YOU ARE NOT A BULLY FOR EXPOSING THE BULLY.

I ask am I able to sue for the stress and mental health issues this has caused me  

NHS staff are unable to drink tea or coffee in Public areas.

Yes read right, NHS staff in 3 Leicester Hospitals have been told they can not drink tea/coffee or hot chocolate in public areas.

 

3 Hospitals in Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfeild General Hospital and Leicester General Hospital, This has come about as their has been alleged complaints that having a hot drink in front of patients gives the impressions staff and slacking off.

 

Staff were informed of this ban via e-mail.

 

A spokesperson said the sight of staff enjoying a cup of tea or coffee "Clearly this activity has given the wrong impression to the public that clinic staff are not as hard working as they might be".

 

Well I look at this as member of the public is what the hell is going on, stopping staff going for a cup of tea or coffee in their break time to a café, they could be meeting up with a relative or a friend for a chat.

 

This is management gone mad if you ask me, what will happen next that you wont be allowed to go to the toilet.

 

I wonder if any staff have looked into the fact that this is an invasion of privacy or a breach of their human rights.

 

This correctness gone mad.

One Voice, My Voice, One View, My View.

Stay Strong and Believe

 

 

IKEA the not so family freindly company to work for

IKEA the Swedish furniture store that prides itself on being the quote "Family Friendly Store to Work for" in my experience what a load of bullshit, Family Friendly my arse, they say they put family first yet, pressure their co-workers into working the hours that suit IKEA.

 

Yes that's right to suit IKEA, I should know I worked for them for nearly 10 years and all they are interested in is working their co-workers to the bone, some don't even get a pay rise, you see, they do it performance related, so if your not up to scratch you DON'T GET ONE.

 

I should know, I never had one for the last 3 years I was with IKEA, they don't give you a cost of living pay rise, they give you a performance related one, so in my case because of one thing and another I never got one, yet my household bills were going, up and up and up, so much so I had to take a loan out to pay them, putting myself in even more debt.

 

They also use scare tactics as well, like for in my instance I had been off on the sick with tendonitis in my Achilles for 7 weeks, had planned my weekends, as I knew which one's I had off, how wrong was I, I came back after this time off on the sick to find out that my weekends had been changed, no consultation.

 

When I queried it I was told "We saw an opportunity to change the weekends so we took it", we I asked why I had not been consulted I was told "We don't have to, if you don't like it you know what you can do", In other words I was told "Like it or lump it, I you don't like it find another job".

 

If they had just taken the time to at least phone me to say "we are changing your weekend, sorry for the inconvenience, but we need to do it" I probably would have been OK with the whole situation.

 

IKEA the company who makes you work a late shift and finish at 9.30pm and have you back in work for 6.30pm, yet you are supposed to have 11 hours between shifts, you complain and your told the same again "If you don't like it, you know what you can do".

 

IKEA in breach of the European time directive.

 

From my understanding and from reading my contract, they are supposed to hold a 30 day consultation period with you before doing any changes, they used the excuse they were just changing the rota, yet it was a total change of shift pattern.

 

I no of cases where this has happened to mothers, who all they want is to spend some time with their children, yet they have their shifts changed willy, inly, IKEA the company that is supposed to hold family values very high, they say we are all one big happy family, yet they think they can walk all over you.

 

This a company who say they have an anti-bullying policy and take bullying seriously, yet it is only if a manager does it, but not if it is a fellow co-worker.

 

IKEA standing for I KEEP EMPLOYEE AGERY, yes those Swedes.

 

Come on co-workers strand up for your right to be heard.

 

One Voice, My Voice, One View, My View.

 

Stay Strong and Believe.

 

 



Work Place bulling and it's effects in the UK

Work place bullying is becoming a big issue within the UK and it is an issue that in my opinion needs to be sorted out and soon.

 

8 out of 10 workers in the UK have suffered work place bullying 1 in 4 are going through it now, it is an issue that can cause my problem for the economy and employers alike.

 

83% of UK employers do have an ant-bullying policy and 90% of them are in the public sector, yet this issue seems to be getting worse, I thought the firm I used to work for IKEA said they had an anti-bullying policy yet they don't really want to tackle the issue, they would rather sweep it under the carpet, than deal with it head on.

 

The cost of to the UK economy per year is £2 billion pounds and a total 19 million sick days, so as you can see it is a very big issue in the UK today.

 

The effects on the person can be very profound and last a very long time if not a life time, it can cause depression and anxiety.

 

You will be asked if your firm has be asked to see an Occupational Health Advisor, I was asked to when I was going through what I went through and to be honest all the are interested is making sure the firm is OK not yourself, when I saw one, I was told I was boarder line depressed and Boarder Line Anxiety, I stupidly enough agreed to have an investigation done in to me allegedly losing a set of store keys, this meant the company had me where they wanted me and thus agreeing to the investigation, I had to go through with the Disciplinary.

The OHA Report stated this "Mark is fit enough to do the investigation, as long as it is at a neutral venue, with breaks and accompanied by a colleague" at not time did this state I was fit enough for the disciplinary, On a sick note, from my doctor it stated not fit enough for meeting on Thursday, I also stated this to The HR manager, their reply I find this some what confusing as the OHA said your were fit enough to go through the procedure, ultimately leading to me losing my job.

Well that's a lie what he said was "fit enough for the investigation"

some of the effects that work place bullying can have on the employee going through it are, Anxiety, Stress, depression, work phobia, physical sickness ect.

It got to the point with me that I did not want to go to work when a co-worker I was working with by the name of Alan was working, he was the one bullying me, not physically or even name calling but psychologically bullying, not speaking to me, ignoring me, dropping me in it, changing things I had done to make me look bad this sort of stuff, the reason I was afraid to say anything was because he is an ex-police officer and well respected within the store.

Out of the 8 in 10 employee suffering this, 1 in 6 will at some point suffer mental health issues and 1 in 3 may at sometime feel like taking their own life, I know I did.

A few months ago, I posted on facebook what had happened to me, it was year to the day that I had lost my job, for me this was my way of letting my feelings out, I now wish I had not done it as it became open season for a group of Cricketer's from a rival club in my area to well, cyber Bullying me on facebook, by say things like what I was saying was not true  and I hadn't been bullied, this set me back in my recovery even more, this group saw what they were doing as banter, yet I never saw it that way.

Some people ask me how do you deal with work place bullying, well I would go to your HR department or your line manager, baring that go to Citizen Advice and ask for their help, I wish I had and maybe I would still have been in a job, if I had been stronger and not a Coward I have no doubt I would still be working for IKEA.

So I would say be strong, don't be a coward.

Stand up and be brave.

One Voice, My Voice, One View, My View

Stay Strong and Believe.

     

 

 

A poem of a depressive

This is a poem I wrote over 3 years ago when I was at one of my lowest points.

 

 

A Lonely Broken Heart

 

 

As I sit here on the cliff top

on this cold April night

 the stars shining bright...

like dots in the sky

 

I hear a heart beat

a broken one it is 

Thinking what the

future will bring 

 

Thinking of love 

The love I once had

The love I pushed away

The love I want to have

 the love I may never have 

 

Is it time to leave this place behind

 I hear myself say

on this cliff top

this cold April night

But that would only 

 be leaving the people I love 

 

 My heart is broken

It brakes a bit more

each day we are apart

on this cliff top

this cold April night 

 

 My love grows stronger

as each day passes

on this cliff top

this cold April night

with the stars shinning bright

like dots in the sky 

 A Lonely broken heart 

 

            By Mark Rees 5th April 2011

Should shoppers boycott Tesco

Yes should shoppers boycott Tesco, who showed discrimination to a Blind woman at their Belsize Road store in London, where a Student at The London Central School of speech and drama who is Blind was aske to leave the store because she had her Guide Dog with her.

 

Maya Makri was shopping in this afore mentioned store when she was approaching  the checkout to pay, with her friend when the cashier shouted out "NO PETS ALLOWED"

 

 

Despite there being a high viz on the dog to show it is a guide dog Ms Makri was asked to leave the store even after other members of the public in the store backed her up, yet  she was still asked to leave the store.

 

A Tesco Spokesman said "This clearly should never have happened and we will contact Ms Makri directly to apologise. We do allow Guide dogs in stores  and have reminded our staff of that"

 

Well obviously on this occasion it did happen, and the dog was not allowed.

 

Guide Dogs for the blind are finding that People with guide dogs are finding these problems increasingly common in the UK today.

 

Is this discrimination by Tesco, well on this occasion by Tesco, in my opinion yes.

 

One voice, My Voice, One View, My View.

 

Stay strong and believe. 

A mans Journey looking for a job

It has been a hard going for me over the last 15 months since I lost me job at IKEA, this being no fault of my own, looking for a job.

 

It has all changed since I was last out of work in 2003, then you went to the job centre and looked on the board take the reference number down and go to the desk and they would give you the details, along with an application form and you did the rest.

 

Now you have to do everything on-line on Universal Job Match, if you don't you get sanctioned and lose some of your Job Seeker Allowance or part of it there of.

 

In the last 15 months I have applied for more than 100 jobs within my area, with so far only getting 10 telephone interviews and 3 one on one interviews and it is frustrating as I want to work and get a job, I was in my last job for over 9 years, the longest I have ever been in a job and thought I would be there for life, yet it was not to be.

 

Also I had an interview cancelled on Tuesday when I turned up for it.

 

I have made a conscious decision that from next week I am going to start to send out letters along with my CV to various firms asking for a job.

 

It is hard being unemployed and at first I was embarrassed to sign on at the job centre, but my father said this to me "Son there is no need to be embarrassed you have paid your taxes for the last 9 years plus", so don't be embarrassed.

 

I know that some people will look at me and say, he is unemployed, living off the state, well I have no doubt that something will come up and come my way, I will keep on trying and won't give up.

 

If there is any employers out there all I as is give me a go employ me and see what I can do.    

One Voice, My Voice, One View, My View.

Yes you read right one voice, my voice, one view, my view, I am feed up of being quiet about what I went to with my former firm IKEA, it seemed to me that there was a culture of bullying within the firm and I am not going to stay quiet about it.

 

Today a very good friend text me, saying I had upset them with some of the things I had said and it was all over one e-mail, it was not my aim to offend or upset them, I was just trying to get my point over about how I felt about the e-mail sent, bare in mind I was already suffering with work related stress and felt the e-mail was uncalled for, all the person had to do was ask why the task had not been done instead of sending the following e-mail:-

 

Mark

I am writing to inform you that you have not completed the damages as requested on 21/05/2013.

As a result of this, i must insist that you must take full responsibility of this and ensure that the damages are completed by the end of next week.

]
I will not place you in the rota any longer, you must allocate time yourself!

Also, please can you ensure that you follow the guidelines and dates as written in the emails sent by me previously.

Cheers

Ange

 

 I was told that this e-mail was a bit of tongue and cheek banter, well you decide.

The reason this above task was not done was because we were short on staff, yet I was not asked why it was not done just sent this, as you can and maybe understand why this upset me, only 6 weeks after this e-mail I was dismissed from my job.

 

I know there will be many people who will read this and say who's the bully now, well it's not me I am just exposing what I went through and the bullying culture that I personally had to put up with where I worked.

 

One Voice, My Voice, One View, My View.

 



a mans experiance of work place bullying

You my have seen I have been writing about Work Place Bullying, This is something I have suffered not once but twice when I worked for IKEA WALES, on both occasions I suffered some work related stress, but it was only the second occasion that this became a real issue for me after a set of keys were taken from my draw in the office.

 

After the afore mentioned incident I feel with deep depression that not only made me feel suicidal but made me fell worthless and I lost all confidence.

 

The Bullying started some 12 to 18 months before me actually going on the sick, it started with a fellow co-worker by the name of Alan, totally blanking me, not talking to me and basically ignoring me.

 

 

At first I just thought it was a faze and things would get back to normal after time, but it never a couple of other co-workers saw things weren't right, yet never done a thing.

 

Things got that bad that I eventually spoke to my Supervisor Johan who in reply to me question was "think what you have done, it's your own fault", this really upset me and made me feel as if he was part of what was going on.

 

There were many times around this time that I would come home from work and burst into tears and think it is time to end it all, I would get up in the morning to go to work and would be physically sick knowing I would have to work with Alan, so much so that one time I rang in sick and told them I had a problem with kidney stones.

 

Johan would pile the pressure on get me to do the jobs either he didn't want to do or that he wanted Alan to do, but instead gave them to me, one day I got pulled up on something that had not been done right, yet the sheet had been changed, it was from this day that I realised that my time with the firm was coming to an end, if someone was doing this to me, how far would they go to get rid of me.

 

So I was suffering for awhile with work related stress, I told work it was because I was having family problems with my son, it wasn't this it was the physiological bullying I was going through at the hands of Alan and latterly Johan.

 

I spoke to someone in HR and asked for some counselling thinking, which I started not long after this meeting, I was to scared to tell people that Alan was bullying me as he was a highly respected member of staff and the fact I felt that no one would believe me.

 

Stress/Depression is a nasty and unseen illness that's creeps up on you when you least expect it, there are no words that can really describe how you feel but I will try, You feel very low, you have no energy, you feel that you can't do anything right, you feel everyone is against you, unexpected bouts of cry, suicidal thoughts and low self-esteem.

 

I still have me days where I feel like this, I still have nightmares about what I went through and still think to myself was it all my fault, but his is how you feel when you have experienced any sort of bullying, you think why me and what have I done to deserve this.

 

To this day I still do not know what I did to Alan, he has never told me, nor has anyone else ever told me, I have been called a bully for exposing what I went through, apparently I am the one bullying Alan, I have also been told I am an attention seeking male for exposing what went on.

 

I ended up losing my Job because of these lost keys, I was dismissed while on the sick, yet there was no proof that I lost these keys, I will sware till the day I die that I put them in the draw, yet I am still confused as to how I can be dismissed/sacked and get 9 weeks pay in lieu of notice this still baffles me.

 

I did in the end speak out about what was happening to me, but it was to late, the decision had been made to dismiss me, It was never looked into and to this day I don't think it ever has.

 

As I said earlier I am still feeling the effects of this bullying and I am sure I will for the rest of my life and if by doing this particular blog I help just one person then I will have done what it is meant to do.

 

I wish I had spoken out earlier and maybe, just maybe I would still have a job.   

what is a nervous breakdown

I had one 3 years ago and went through one again last year, would not wish it on my worst enemy.

What is a Nervous Breakdown?

 

A nervous breakdown can be described as an acute emotional or psychological collapse. The term nervous breakdown is not a medical term, but rather a colloquial term used by the general

 public to refer to and characterize a wide range of mental illnesses.

                

It generally occurs when a person  is unable to function in social roles anymore, experiencing severe depression or feelings of being out of touch with reality. This often occurs after a long period of stress which has not been adequately dealt with.

               

This inability to function can occur in both work and personal arenas, resulting in difficulty in fulfilling obligations. It also causes the individual to develop physical, mental and emotional

symptoms. A person experiencing symptoms of a nervous breakdown may feel extreme tiredness, weakness, episodes of uncontrollable

crying, confusion, disorientation and feelings of worthlessness.

                

There may also be a loss of self-esteem and confidence, extreme weight loss or weight gain, disrupted sleep patterns and feelings of guilt and despair. In severe cases, an inability to

move, called catatonic posturing, may result. This is a serious

psychiatric condition and should not be taken lightly.

   

 Other Disorders Associated with a Nervous Breakdown

                   

 Diagnosing a Nervous Breakdown

   

Your doctor will perform a physical examination to rule out any other medical conditions, and also ask you what symptoms you are experiencing. A course of medication may be prescribed as well

as a referral to a psychologist or psychotherapist.

           

 Symptoms of a Nervous Breakdown & Early Warning Signs

                

There are physical, emotional and behavioral warning signs and symptoms of a nervous breakdown. They include:

          

Physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown

           

Sleep disruption - much longer periods of sleep or insomnia

                 

Diarrhea

Constipation

irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Breathing problem          

Migraine headaches

Low libido

Memory loss

Disrupted menstrual cycle

Extreme exhaustion/fatigue

Feelings of persistent anxiety or panic attacks

Significant changes in appetite, such as eating too little or too much (comfort eating)

Visual/eye disturbances

Emotional symptoms

Anxiety

Depression

Agitation and restlessness

Indecision

Loss of confidence and selfesteem

Inability to stop crying

Feelings of guilt, poor judgment

Disinterest in social life and work or alienation from previously close friends and family

Hearing voices

Inability to pursue a normal life, normal activities or normal relationships

Increasing dependence on alcohol or drugs

Paranoid thoughts, such as the thought people are trying to harm you

Seeing people who are not there

Thoughts of dying or wish to die

Thoughts of grandeur or invincibility

Having flashbacks to a prior traumatic event 

Hearing voices

Behavioural symptoms

Mood swings

Strange behavior such as odd body movements or undressing in public

    

              

In more extreme cases, psychosis can occur where the person will experience complete loss of contact with reality. The symptoms may include hallucinations or visions, feelings of

victimization or persecution, strange speech patterns and behaviors as

well as extreme guilt or grandiosity.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

             

There is always a trigger or catalyst that sparks a nervous breakdown. Breakdowns usually stem from a change in a major life event such as a broken relationship, death of a loved one, a demanding

job or financial difficulties.

Factors that may contribute to a breakdown include:

Stress

Depression

Alcohol and drug abuse, particularly cocaine

Genetics (family history)

Coexisting medical conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, movement disorders, skin and limb problems, etc.

           

Anxiety surrounding major life changes or disorders, such as pregnancy/after birth/labor, menopause, etc.

           

Schizophrenia

Extreme guilt or emotional problems

   

Help for Nervous Breakdowns

         

There are many treatment methods and approaches for dealing with nervous breakdowns. Choosing the right one depends on the diagnosis of the individual case, as there is no standard cure. There are ways to prevent a nervous breakdown, conventional treatments, natural remedies, nutritional supplements and many other therapies to choose from.

What is PTSD

In recent years, mental health professionals have adopted the term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to describe a range of psychological symptoms people may experience following a traumatic event, which is outside the normal human experience. The World Health Organisation has defined it as: ‘A delayed or protracted response to a stressful event or situation (either short or long-lasting) of an exceptionally threatening or long-lasting nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone.’

‘The depth of my sorrow was no surprise to me, but I was totally unprepared for the other reactions – the shakes, nightmares, panic attacks, memory and concentration problems, and the unrelenting exhaustion.’Bomb attack survivor
Just hearing news of shattering events, such as the September 11 destruction of New York’s World Trade Centre, incidents during the Gulf Wars, the Potter’s Bar train crash and the Hillsborough football stadium disaster, can have a lasting impact on individuals. Anybody actually present during a disaster of this nature is likely to become extremely distressed. Every day, people are involved in, or witness, events such as road accidents, muggings, and sexual or physical assaults that cause them deep emotional injury. There is no doubt that the reactions that may follow can seriously hamper and

interfere with their lives.

Some survivors have objected to the use of the term disorder, because they see such reactions as an entirely normal and understandable response to abnormal events. But the label recognises that events and social conditions that are beyond our control, and which may fill us with fear or horror, can cause extremely disturbing psychological symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

‘Tom had almost denied what happened, didn’t want to talk about it, didn’t want to read any of the articles. Then, one day, a friend mentioned to him that she was worried about her cat, because she had left it that morning trapped up a tree, and it was as though that pushed a button. He broke down and shed lots of tears.’

One of my problems resulted from experiencing upsetting flashbacks: people badly injured; the shocked faces of fellow passengers and staff at the hospital; my husband and brother-in-law splattered with blood and mud. They came to me when I was at my most vulnerable. I don’t think they will ever go completely, but they are fading and are easier to cope with.Train crash survivor
If you have faced a traumatic experience, you may simply feel emotionally numb to begin with, and feelings of distress may not emerge straight away. But sooner or later, you are likely to develop emotional and physical reactions, and changes in behaviour, which may include some of the following:

Reliving aspects of the trauma

vivid flashbacks (feeling as if the trauma is happening all over again)
intrusive thoughts and images
nightmares
intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
Avoiding memories
keeping busy
avoiding situations that remind you of the trauma
repressing memories (being unable to remember aspects of the event)
feeling detached, cut off and emotionally numb
being unable to express affection
feeling there’s no point in planning for the future.
Being easily aroused
disturbed sleep
irritability and aggressive behaviour
lack of concentration
extreme alertness
panic response to anything to do with the trauma
being easily startled.
These responses are all quite normal. Many people find the symptoms will disappear in due course. It’s when they last for longer than a month, or when they are very extreme, that PTSD may be diagnosed. Sufferers may also have other symptoms, such as severe anxiety, a phobia or depression. They may develop a dissociative disorder (see Understanding dissociative disorders) and suicidal feelings. There’s no time limit on distress, and some survivors may not develop post-traumatic symptoms until many years after the event.
What causes PTSD?
PTSD was first described in relation to the veterans of the Vietnam War in the USA, but the problem has been around for a lot longer under various different names. During the First World War, large numbers of soldiers were said to be suffering from 'shell shock', 'soldier’s heart' or 'battle fatigue'. Rather than admit to the horror of war, and in order to explain the large numbers of men involved, the official line was that these were symptoms of an illness.
‘I still have nightmares. They can be triggered by something on television, or the smallest of things, like having the duvet caught round my face. The number of times is lessening, but when they do come I’m learning how to cope. I put the light on, I open the window and say “Yep, look, that was a dream”.’Train crash survivor
Since that time there have been a number of reports made on the effects of war, recording between 6 and 30 per cent of veterans suffering from PTSD.
There are important similarities between the psychological stresses associated with war and those that occur in response to major disasters or to personal trauma. Following the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry at Zeebrugge, 90 per cent of the passengers and their relatives who were seen for psychological assessment were found to be suffering from PTSD, either alone or in combination with other problems, such as alcohol misuse.
This highlights the fact that people who have not been directly involved in a trauma of this kind may still experience levels of distress as high as those who were. Civilian survivors of war and refugees also develop PTSD, for example. So do people who have lost relatives and friends as a result of some disaster, as well as rescue workers who tried to save them. After the King’s Cross underground station fire in 1987, mental health professionals drew up a list of 670 people who were potentially at risk from the psychological effects of the experience. Of that number, only 100 had been involved directly; the others came from the emergency services, railway officials and the families of victims and survivors.

Two years after the Lockerbie air disaster, police, firemen and ambulance workers were still traumatised by what they had witnessed.
Personal trauma, violent crime, sexual or physical assault, road traffic accidents or difficulties during childbirth can all produce PTSD. Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse may be affected. Children who have themselves been abused, or who have witnessed something terrible, such as a murder, are also prone to the disorder.
Why do some people develop PTSD?
‘Every time I hear of any disaster, whether here or abroad, it brings back my own memories, and I can imagine how the families and victims are feeling. My own experience has taught me that you can’t change what happened, but that time does make it easier to cope. The memories don’t go, but they do fade.’
It’s reckoned that about 1.5–3.5 per cent of the general population is likely to be affected by PTSD at some point. Anyone can develop PTSD following experiences such as those mentioned above, but not everyone does so. Nor does everyone develop it to the same degree. There are a number of possible explanations for this.
Fearing for your life
E
vents involving loss of life, or where people have been faced by the prospect of dying, may lead to more long-lasting stress responses. A study of Falklands War veterans found that exposure to combat was the most significant factor in predicting who would develop PTSD.
Harmful intentions
Man-made disasters, particularly those involving deliberate acts of violence or terrorism, seem to cause longer-lasting and more painful emotional consequences than natural disasters. The crucial factor may be that it destroys people’s trust in others, particularly when it involves someone they depended on.
Conscious memories
People who remain conscious through the experience may be more vulnerable to PTSD because of the horrific memories etched on the mind.
Personal circumstances
Your personal history can make you more prone to PTSD. If a traumatic event triggers memories of an earlier distressing experience, the impact is effectively doubled in intensity. Similarly, if you are already going through emotional problems, you are also much more vulnerable. Your temperament may also have a lot to do with it.
Guilt feelings
Survivors often feel extremely guilty, as though they were responsible for the event, or could have done more to save themselves or others. One study showed that those who blamed themselves in some way for the outcome of the disaster were more at risk of severe and long-term distress.
What’s the best way to deal with a traumatic event?
In the aftermath, people often feel numb, dazed and disorientated. Talking about what has happened to them may well be the last thing they want to do. Many survivors have said that what they found most useful, to begin with, was practical advice, information and support with day-to-day tasks.
Expressing your feelings, by talking, may be the best way of coming to terms with the experience. But there are differing views about whether, or not, counselling or some form of psychological de-briefing immediately after the event can prevent serious problems developing later (see NICE recommendations below). Everyone will have their own unique responses, and will need to proceed at their own pace. Survivors may turn to friends, relatives and colleagues when they decide they do want to talk about what they’ve been through. What’s important is that there should be an opportunity to talk to someone about their distress, when they’re ready to do so. Many of those who do develop PTSD are able to come to terms with the traumatic experience, in this way, within a matter of months.
Stress responses that are bottled up over months or years become deeply ingrained and may cause serious problems. Sometimes, people turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to blot out painful feelings and memories. Individuals may remain in a state of extreme tension long after the trauma has passed. They may find themselves avoiding situations, in case they remind them of their trauma, so that life becomes increasingly restricted. In trying to avoid the problem, they are also, in effect, avoiding getting appropriate help. There are various organisations that can provide information about counsellors experienced in treating PTSD. (For more information, see Useful organisations.)
It can be very helpful for people to share their experiences with others who have been through something similar. This can be an extremely important step in moving away from isolation, from the role of victim and passive recipient of professional help, towards regaining control of their lives. There are organisations and helplines that specialise in particular groups of people, for example, soldiers who have seen combat, victims of violent crime or sexual assault, and people who have been tortured or who are refugees. You may find it especially useful to contact an organisation geared to your particular experience (see Useful organisations).
What sort of help is available for PTSD?
If you have been suffering from distressing symptoms for months after a traumatic event, you should see your GP, who can refer you for specialist help. There are clinics that focus on PTSD and there are national referral centres. Your GP may also be able to refer you to a local practitioner (a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist) who has been trained in treating PTSD.
Treatments for PTSD are still being evaluated, but experts agree that for anyone who is still suffering months after the event, an effective approach may be a series of lengthy sessions with a psychologist or other therapist. (See the NICE guidelines below)
Different types of trauma have different types of impact. Survivors of long-term child abuse or prolonged torture may have similar symptoms to people who have survived a traumatic event (single incident trauma), but they may need much more long-term, intensive help and are often diagnosed with ‘complex PTSD’. Specialist programmes have been set up to provide the appropriate therapy for people who were abused as children, victims of political violence, witnesses of murder or those involved in life-threatening situations (see Useful organisations). They may provide very structured treatment plans to clients using a combination of therapies.
At the time of printing, there has only been evidence that EMDR (see below), some forms of cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants are effective as treatments. Their impact and usefulness will be different for each person. At the moment, no other forms of psychotherapy or counselling have been proved to be helpful in treating PTSD.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
CBT is based on changing the way we view things: trying to adapt negative ways of thinking into more positive ones. If someone has been through a traumatic experience, they may expect the negative feelings that this evokes to continue, or certain triggers in life may be bringing up old unwanted feelings. CBT helps people to recognise these expectations, and the often automatic negative thought patterns associated with them, and to try and find a more useful way of reacting and behaving.
Trauma-focused CBT has been specially developed to help people with trauma, and includes help to overcome avoidance behaviours and the symptoms of fl ashbacks, for example. Therapists delivering this treatment will need to have special training to practise.
Behavioural therapy
This involves going though the trauma, repeatedly, with a psychologist or therapist, so that people re-experience the emotions they felt at the time. It’s important to go through the details of the trauma many times until they’ve dealt with the feelings and feel comfortable and no longer anxious. Some people may not be able to remember the details of the trauma because they were unconscious, or because they have repressed aspects of the experience. They will be encouraged to focus on their fears about the event and any aspects they do remember. Sometimes sessions are recorded on tape, to be listened to later at home. Research suggests that this kind of self-directed remembering can lead to a significant reduction in symptoms.
Behavioural therapy can also help with the problem of avoidance by encouraging people to confront their fears. For example, if you have been avoiding driving since a car crash, the therapist would help you to overcome this, through a step-by-step programme.
Cognitive therapy
Many survivors develop irrational feelings and beliefs as a result of their trauma. Someone who has been raped may start to believe that all men are rapists, for example, or may feel extremely guilty and blame herself. Cognitive therapy involves challenging self-damaging thoughts and beliefs about the event and encourages everyone to replace destructive ideas with a more realistic outlook.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
This treatment has been around for about 10 years, and is based on behavioural techniques, in which the patient makes rhythmic eye movements while imagining the traumatic event. The eye movements are designed to stimulate the information-processing system in the brain, and the aim of the treatment is to help along the processing of the traumatic events, and speed up readjustment and recovery.
Medication
Many people with PTSD are also extremely depressed. Taking antidepressants may help relieve some of the symptoms and help people to get the best from the psychological treatments. Since antidepressants can be addictive, they should be used with caution and with full knowledge of the possible side effects they may create (see Mind’s booklet Making sense of antidepressants).
NICE recommendations
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that psychological treatment for PTSD should not start until four weeks after the trauma; however, support and information can be made available earlier than this, together with ‘watchful waiting’ to monitor any ‘natural’ recovery. Once PTSD is diagnosed, only psychological treatments that are designed for PTSD (EMDR and CBT are recommended) should be used and should be offered on a regular and continuous basis for 8-12 weeks by the same therapist. More sessions may be needed in certain circumstances (see the NICE website for more details). The person with PTSD should be given all the information about the treatments available to make an informed decision. Medication should not be offered as routine first-line treatment for adults with PTSD, but may be suitable if the person also has depression. For children and young people with PTSD, families should be involved with their treatment. The impact of the traumatic event on all family members should be assessed and appropriate support provided.
What should friends or relatives do?
‘
As the shock wore off, I felt under more and more pressure to get on with my life and to behave as though nothing had happened. As a consequence, I became less and less able to do this... It was a great strain trying to balance the need to talk about what had happened, and the consequences, and giving others as little excuse as possible to come out with phrases such as, “Life goes on” and,

“You’ve got to pull yourself together”.’
Survivors may need to be given permission to express their feelings about what they’ve been through. Relatives and friends can help by:

encouraging them to talk about it allowing them to be upset (without necessarily trying to console them), getting them to talk to other survivors, helping them to contact organisations that offer specialist support not letting them get into a pattern of avoiding situations that remind them of the trauma.

on changing your lfie

Well this is a hard one to write changing your life.

 

I am a fine one to talk about this one, I am the worlds worst for say "I'm going to change my life" yet I never do, that is until now.

 

Over the summer I drank how should I say it "A bit to much" and put on quite a lot of weight and ballooned to 21st 7lbs, I realised this is not good for me so something had to give.

 

So I was set a challenge by a good friend to lose 3 stone by the beginning of the next Cricket season in May so I have risen to the Challenge and have taken it on.

 

In my first week I lost 3lbs in weight just by cutting out Beer, you see I would drink a very lot, 5 pints on a Monday, 5 Pints on a Thursday and Saturday and Sunday take your pick how much I would drink, along with this I would have curry and chips or a kebab on the way home, so the weight pilled on.

 

I have also started to exercise, exercise me you must be joking, well I have been and it has been a struggle let me tell you, I have downloaded an app on to my phone called couch 2 5K and it is brilliant, if I am unable to get over the cricket ground to do it, I will use my V-Fit stepper, I feel so much better for doing it.

 

When I lost my Job, Just over 12 months ago all my confidence went and I was close to taking my own life, but then a friend of mine by the name of John Gee, got in touch with me as he was the captain of Barry Athletic Cricket Club and they were looking for someone to do the score book for them, I decided to go and give it a try and have never looked back since, I have had a new lease of life so to say, I am now the Secretary at The Club for their 125th Year in 2015 and it is keeping me busy, my confidence is still very fragile at times and I still get those feeling of what is life worth but not that many anymore, they are becoming more and more frequent.

 

I have also in the last year have done a few things I have wanted to do for many years, in July 2013 I visited the Giants Causeway, something I have been aiming to do for over 20 years and had it planned for my 40th Birthday, but a few things happened and it never happened, I have also been to St. Patricks day in Dublin.

 

I have many over things I want to do, Score a 50, take 5 wickets, have more children, do the Cardiff Half Marathon, The London Marathon, be the best person I can be.

 

I look back now at my life and think where has it all gone, that I missed out on so much, but now since I have been doing this weight loss Challenge and exercising more, I can look forward to my future with some enthusiasm and delight at what it can bring me, losing weight and exercising is just the start of it, a new job or maybe start my own business, who knows what it will bring all I do know is I will be strong and take anything that comes my way.

 

"Success is not final

failure is not fatal

it is the courage to

continue that Counts"

 

"Failure is not about falling down, failure is staying down" 



workers could be forced to pay £5 a week to get benefit.

So then George Osborne and the Conservative led Government are at it again, this time workers could be forced to pay at least £5 per week out of their wages into a personal welfare account to get higher benefits if they lose their job.

 

 

So you are paying your tax national insurance and now they want you to pay at least £5.00 per week extra in case you lose your job. Also a report states that workers earning more could put £100 per week.

 

I would ask this what is going to happen to the money left over when you retire.

 

Well Mr Osborne states it could be used to top up your pension to a sum of £10,000 when you retire.

 

Now if I am right aren't workers now in a compulsory pension scheme that the company and the Government as well as the employee pay into and now they want you to pay more money out of your earning in case you lose your job.

 

It seem to me that all this Government like other Conservative Governments before are taking from the poor to pay the rich, they always have and they always will.

 

 

MPQ's Lord Freuds statement on Disabled workers.

So it was that time of the week again Prime Ministers Questions.

 

The main topic of conversation was the Economy, The NHS and Unemployment.

 

With Unemployment figures have fallen to under 2 million and David Cameron is hock a hoop that this had happened, and went straight in for the kill, by hitting Ed Miliband  with what the coalition had done for the economy, increasing what you can earn before paying tax to £10,500, and certain tax cuts, but they did increase VAT to 20% and have talked about raising it to 22.5%.

 

Then it was the NHS and the failings of this government to do more about it, one MP sated that their constituents had to wait 2 weeks to see a GP, I know in Wales you have to wait at least 14 months to see a Cancer specialist, yet David Cameron insists that this Coalition Government has increased Nurses and Doctors, Well Mr Cameron, where are these Nurses and Doctors, some nurses work without a break and long hours. You had Gideon Osborne, oop's sorry that should be George, for those of you who don't know George Osborne was christened with the name Gideon.

 

And now we come on to the biggest issue of the day when Ed Miliband, ambushed Mr Cameron with quotes from a fringe meeting at The Conservative Conference when  Lord Freud, who has been a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions stated that disabled people were "not worth the full wage".

 

 Labour is urging a welfare minister to resign amid reports he suggested people with disabilities could be paid less than the minimum wage.

 

Ed Milliband then went on to sate the following that Lord Freud also said:-

 

"Now, there is a small… there is a group, and I know exactly who you mean, where actually as you say they're not worth the full wage and actually I'm going to go and think about that particular issue, whether there is something we can do nationally, and without distorting the whole thing, which actually if someone wants to work for £2 an hour, and it's working can we actual"

 

I watched PMQ's on SKY NEWS and Mr Cameron seemed to get very agitated by what Ed Milliband had just thrown at him.

 

Raising the issue in Parliament, Mr Miliband said:

 

"These are not the words of someone who ought to be in charge of policy relating to the welfare of disabled people.
       

"Surely someone holding those views can't possibly stay in his government?"
       

But Mr Cameron said these were not the views of the government, which believed that everyone should receive the minimum wage and had backed an increase in the level of the wage.

 

Mr Miliband also called the Conservatives the nasty party, and I am inclined to agree with that statement They are the nasty part and Lord Freud should be tin tacked, sacked, how can we have someone with those views in Government, there are plenty of Disabled People who very rewarding jobs and SHOULD be paid the minimum wage if not more.

 

So todays PMQ's were interesting to say the least.

 



Can England win the Ashes in 2015

Can England win the ashes in 2015, well I am not to sure let me explain why I see it this way.

 

You just got to look at the 2 teams in General, first the openers England have Alistair Cook and Sam Robson, The Australians Have Chis Rogers and David Warner, Cook and Robson plod along and try to bore the opposition to sleep, Rogers and Warner, roger a solid foe for the flamboyant Warner, who reminds me of how Michael Slater used to bat, play my shots and take the game away for the opposition.

 

Then we look at the 2 captains, Alistair Cook, tactically Naïve and inept, very reactive and not proactive, does not no how to change the game, Michael Clarke very astute, very tactically brilliant and can change a game with his fielding positions.

 

The bowling attack, England have Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and who else they fucked England fastest Bowler, Steve Finn up, telling him he is un-pick able, is Tim Bresnan really the answer, yet the best bowler in the county game for the last few season doesn't get picked, Graham Onions, as for a spinner well Swann bottled it as soon as England lost the ashes in the winter, Monty Panesar the best yet won't get picked, is Moeen Ali the answer, I'm not sure.

 

Now the Australian Attack well Mitchell Johnson consistently bowls at 90 plus MPH, Ryan Harris Very steady and can bowl a hard ball, Peter Siddle another very steady and consistent bowler, Shane Watson not only bowls but bats at 3, in the back ground putting pressure on the bowlers there is Mitch Starc, James Pattinson and James Faulkner, they have a very useful spinner in Nathan Lyon.

 

There is not much  to split the Wicketkeepers Australia have Brad Haddin very steady and useful with the bat, England have Joss Buttler who could turn out to be the next Adam Gilchrist.

 

Now lets look at the coaches, Peter Moores first, it's his second spell as coach of England his first ended in controversy with a falling out with Kevin Pietersen and Morres was sacked, what test experience does he have, well the answer to that is none, zilch, Zero, he has never played test or international cricket. 

 

Now Darren Lehmann, played county cricket for Yorkshire, played 27 test matches, scored 1798 runs at an average of 44.95, with 5 hundreds and 10 fifties, coached Australia to last winters 5-0 white wash of England.

 

England will surely miss both Kevin Pietersen and Jonathon Trott, Pietersen being Englands top run scorer in the winter and has scored 8,181 at an average of 47.28, with 23 Hundreds and 35 Fifties.

 

Pietersen was used as a scapegoat for the 5-0 white wash in the winter.

 

   

who will win the 2015 general election.

Who will win it, well that is the question, will it be David Cameron, will it be Ed Miliband.

 

Well recent opinion polls show that it would be David Miliband, with UKIP not The Liberal Democrats who would hold the balance of power.

 

Yes you did read it right UKIP you no those Tory rip offs, they could very well hold the balance of power, in a recent poll, the were polling at 25% and if that were to trend into a general election the UKIP could well have 120MP's, yes that's right 120 MP's, who would these seats be taken off well the belief is it could be off all the parties, with the Lib Dems almost being wiped out.

 

This could well be the end for one party having complete control of Westminster, but for many years to come it could well be a coalition government.

 

But think of this, if Nigel Farage becomes an MP and UKIP hold the balance of power he could well become Deputy Prime Minister, Nigel Farage Deputy Prime Minister, UKIP a party that 21 years ago was not even around and are now major players in UK politics. 

 

They say a week is a long time in politics, well 21 years sure is, UKIP could go from zero to hero, top of the polls in the recent Clacton by-election with 60% of the vote, but that was no surprise, a close second to Labour in the Heywood & Middleton by-election with 39% of the vote, Labour only winning the seat by 617 votes.

 

Next it is the Rochester By-election were Mark Reckless is polling high and with the Tory smear campaign in full swing, UKIP could well have to MP's in Westminster come the end of November.

 

Also UKIP topping the poll in the European Elections winning 24 of the 72 seats.

 

So by 8th May 2015 Ed Miliband could be in number 10 and Nigel Farage his number 2.

 

 

 

How best to deal with work place bullying.

Earlier today I was asked via e-mail how best to deal with work place bullying. I have asked if I may use their e-mail and they are quite happy for me to do so.

 

In reply I asked the respondent what the problem was and what exactly what was happening.

 

They replied the following:-

 

The problem I have is with 2 managers within my company, One is a manager of the freezer food department and the other is the manager of the cosmetics department.

 

A few months ago, I went through a rather bad brake up with a woman I had been with for over 5 years, she decided she wanted someone else, this other person was another woman, me being a male I couldn't understand this and descended into a bout of deep depression and I was off work for about 5 weeks up on returning I was subjected to some nasty comments from both of these Managers who are both in fact women.

 

It started as some as they said "Light hearted fun" but I didn't see it that way and asked them to stop. Yet after many times asking them they carried on saying things like "What's it like to know she left you, to do some muff munching", and "what was the problem you couldn't satisfy her with your cock" and "what is it like to do a 5 knuckle shuffle every night".

 

I found these very offensive and now it has got to the point where I am afraid to speak out as they are both women and feel no one would believe me and I am now again on the sick with work related stress.

 

I replied the following:-

 

I know how you feel, I went through some physiological bullying in my old job, he was a former Police Officer and well respected, so I found it really hard to tell management or HR what was going on, in the end I ended up on the sick with stress and felt I had no other option but to e-mail the Company HR department and tell them what was going on.

 

They did nothing about it but, I was left with no option.

 

My advice to you is either speak to your Union representative, if they are no help, try speaking to your HR department or a Manager  you can trust, failing that, put everything down in an e-mail and send it to either your HR department or Your Store manager, explaining what is happening and the fact you now feel bullied and under undue stress, also mention you have spoken to a solicitor about and you don't want to take further action, if this problem can be sorted amicably.

 

Also does your company have an anti-bullying policy if they have ask them why they don't use it and also check if they have some sort of counselling service or a stress helpline. 

 

That's my advice to you.

 

Good Luck and let me know how you get on.

 

Regards

 

Mark

 

I found this e-mail rather disturbing to think a man could be put through this, but 2 women.

Are the Vale of Glamorgan Council doing what is best for Barry as a Town

This is a very good question, are the Vale of Glamorgan Council doing what is best for Barry as a Town.

 

In my opinion no they are not, so let me explain why I feel this way, I have lived in Barry all my life and it used to be a thriving busy Town, but over the last decade you have seen Woolworths go, Burtons has gone, Peacocks nearly went, the Fair Ground but a shell of it's former self, the only Cinema in the town gone.

 

The Council in their wisdom decided they would spend money on tarting up Thompson street with some murals and silly looking bollards, at the cost of tens of thousands of pounds to the tax payer, they have had money off the Welsh Assembly for regeneration of Barry Island by putting Beach Huts over there, what the hell for I have no idea.

 

Lets look at the state of Holton Road, full of Charity Shops, Cash for Gold Shops, Cafe's and fast food outlets, the big shops in town are Wilkinson, Tesco Extra, Peacocks and Boots, Sports Direct and a few Banks.

 

There is no indoor market in Barry, why I have no Idea it sure would be an asset to the town.

 

Instead of wasting the money they have on Thompson Street, it could have gone to keeping the library going as it is threatened with closure, because of Local government cuts.

 

There are plans afoot to merge The Vale of Glamorgan Council with Cardiff County Council, this would a brilliant Idea, things might get done, but this will not happen because it would mean many councillors will lose their jobs, but so be it I say, There are many good councillors yet there are many who are just in it for themselves, to get their photo in the paper.

 

this is my view on Barry as a Town and The Vale of Glamorgan Council, I hope one day Barry will become a thriving and prosperous town once again.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council need to stand up and be counted.

 

is it right to be told how long your child should be on the sick from school.

Well that is what 5 local councils in south Wales are possessing to do, by producing a leaflet that spells out how long your child, should be on off school if they are ill, is this the nanny state gone mad.

 

A report yesterday sated the following.

 

Parents in south Wales have been told that children suffering from tonsillitis or glandular fever are still expected to go to school.

A health guide subtitled Miss School, Miss Out, produced by a partnership of five local authorities, tells parents that pupils with a wide range of ailments, also including headlice, conjunctivitis, threadworm and hand, foot and mouth disease, are recommended not to take time off.

The same advice applies to children with the slapped cheek virus, though the booklet says they should “keep away from vulnerable children and pregnant females”.

Pupils with chickenpox, whooping cough or mumps are recommended to take five days off, while those with measles should take four days off, according to the booklet, which suggests that parents with an ill child seek advice from NHS Direct Wales or consult their GP.

The advice, issued by county councils including Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, comes amid pressure placed on schools and local authorities by Estyn, the Welsh school inspectorate, to improve attendance.

 

It says that absenteeism is a concern in nearly a third of Welsh secondary schools, with nearly three-fifths of all absences due to illness in 2012-2013.

But parents have reacted with anger to the advice, arguing that they are best placed to judge their child’s ability to attend school.

 

A father of two from Cardiff, told Wales Online: “I thought it was a joke. I think as parents we are responsible enough to know when and for how long we should keep our children away from school.”

 

Pauline Jarman, a governor at two schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf, one of the local authorities in the consortium that produced the guide, said she was “inclined to trust the judgment of the parent or guardian.

 

Children told: no time off school for tonsillitis or glandular fever.

 

Kids are required to attend if they suffer from a range of childhood complaints such as conjunctivitis, head lice and threadworm.

 

And they should spend no more than four days away from school for measles and take no more than five days for chicken pox, whooping cough and mumps.

 

For chickenpox, parents are told to keep children off schools for 'five days from onset of rash', adding: "Keep away from vulnerable children and pregnant females."

 

Children with mumps should be kept off for 'five days after onset of swelling', although parents are told it is 'preventable by vaccination'.

 

These Guidelines are poppy cock, I would trust my GP any day.

 

Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils are 3 of the councils who had this report and leaflet produced and what cost to the tax payer.