CONTENTS

Abstract: This article examines the enduring symbol of the vampire, which often appears when discussing issues of loss with youth. Manifestations range from subtle, such as being a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to more overt expressions, like participating in extreme behaviours typically associated with the Gothic sub- culture, which can shape the symptoms of those who have actual psychiatric conditions. Vampiristic behaviour and the chief relation- ship of vampirism, the vampire dynamic – its structure, how it develops, plays out, and its connection to symbols of loss, loneliness, negativity, and death – are also examined. A survey of the Gothic subculture and the vampire’s historical basis in mythology and fiction is followed by an examination of vampirism in the psychiatric literature and an analysis of its psychological underpinnings, including case studies that illuminate areas for clinicians to be familiar with.

Abstract: The case presented in this article illustrates the use of a solution focused dialog with a young mom. Sarah was at risk of losing custody of her child and needed to make some major changes in her lifestyle. After using many techniques without much success, the counsellors in this case tried a solution focused approach. While the outcome for Sarah remains uncertain, it is clear that this approach may have been more effective for her than the more traditional approaches used in the youth shelter.

EDITORIAL

When my daughters were smaller, 10 and 8 years of age, the oldest asked to colour her hair. I considered her request to dye her hair RED to be a little “ab”normal for a 10-year-old. I had never dyed my hair and I generally disapproved of children and teenagers doing this and thought that the rest of the community might also disapprove. Nevertheless, I bowed to the pressure and we used Henna – a natural and temporary product (or so I thought). Thus, the youngest proved that, for some hair types, Henna lasted a very long time and the oldest began a life-long relationship with hair colour. Over the years some or all of her very thick, long hair has been red, pale pink, fluorescent pink, blue, rainbow coloured, jet black, brown, golden blonde, white blonde (usually to better absorb the secondary rainbow treatment) and she has used Clairol, Henna, Kool-Aid, etc. It hasn’t really been a “passing teen-age phase” and I fully expect that at some point in her life she will be one of the 60 year old women that I occasionally see with pink or purple colour in their hair. She says it’s her “inner self” coming out.

So what defines “normal”? When does it become “abnormal” and require “treatment” because it impedes a person’s ability to function in day to day life? When are groups of people part of a “sub-culture”, “counter- culture” or “pop culture” where they feel accepted and their behaviour is seen as normal, by peers, if not be the rest of society?

Culture is the accumulated way of life for an entire society, represented by our life-style, our norms, values, institutions, and artefacts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Culture). Therefore, normal is represented by society’s collective definition of the rules and values for living together. Of course there is no everyday conversation about what our rules are. They are passed on through family and friends that we interact with, primarily at an implicit level and often through what we are allowed to do, encouraged to do, or prevented from doing as we grow up.

Halloween is one of those “cultural artefacts” celebrated primarily in the Western World. It arises from a pagan Celtic harvest festival in Great Britain and was adopted in Christian culture. Much of what is represented in a culture has some type of religious or spiritual connection. Halloween, as a celebration, tends to be more a children’s activity though for some adults it is a time to party. Regardless, it’s a time for presenting the self as a fantasy self; a fairy princess; a vampire; a heavily tattooed biker; a favourite cartoon character – hero or villain. The next day, all returns to “normal”.

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In this issue, several articles explore the boundaries between normal and abnormal. Dr. Bruce Ballon and Joseph Mobilio, in From Count Chocula to Sleeping in Coffins explore Gothic sub-culture and when vampirism might cross over that boundary. The very title of their article gives us an indication of how embedded in our everyday world the artefacts of vampirism are. This is what makes Goth a “sub- culture”, its daily representation in the rest of the world. Michelle Koroll (we hope she will become a regular columnist) explores the “art” of body modification and the question of when parents (and child and youth care practitioners) should be worried whether a behaviour indicates a cry for help that needs to be dealt with, or is simply an expression of “art” in today’s culture. Tattoos and piercing, which used to be a symbol of the underworld in North American society, have become increasingly popular among young and old. Body art has always been popular in other societies. Painting and piercing were part of traditional aboriginal ceremonies for many tribes in North America and are equally common among African and Eastern groups. Hans Skott-Myhre in a 2001 article on Hardcore Punk from CYC-Net examines the youth subculture, its potential as a counter-culture (one that might change the world), how history repeats itself and the lines between normal and abnormal become very personal.

This issue also contains two contributions on brief solution focused therapy. Pat Kostourous illustrates how truly brief the approach can be and the potential that it holds in certain child and youth care settings. One of the principles of Solution Focused Therapy is to examine the strengths of the client and not to focus on labelling and pathology. Pathology, of course, implies a focus on the underlying disease and harmful abnormality (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathology).

M. Noel in Storying, a personal reflection on her experience with a therapist using brief solution focused therapy, presents us with the client’s perspective as well as an indication that this therapy may not be brief at all. It’s just the time with the therapist that’s brief. Solution focused therapy takes us away from defining what is normal or abnormal and focuses on the client’s experience and need for the behaviour.

Abnormality is defined by statistical infrequency, distress (of the person or others observing the behaviour), morality, maladaptive behaviour, and the standards of society (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Abnormality).

So really, it’s all relative.

Indeed, if someone from another world were to drop onto earth in my hometown on October 31 at sunset, they would have a very different idea of what’s normal in our culture.

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