Different from those indispensable American Red Cross First Aid books that clearly assist in quickly diagnosing and treating the physically injured, "weird" mental behaviors are frightening to bystanders, most of whom tend to avoid trying to understand dangerous behavioral peculiarities that will never happen to them--they hope. So, how can one safely and effectively help those unpredictable "crazies"? It took the author fifty years of experiential deliberations before writing this book that clearly addresses such bystander concerns as identifying common early symptoms of future mass killers of innocents. In fact, the endless assortment of bystanders in any community are typically the most vital "first responders" to notice disruptive behaviors, with an indispensable asset of alerting any professional team responding to a 911 call. Finally, the very essence of this book is understanding other humans; which begins by simply observing behaviors, not just people. These observations of human behavior clearly include developing adolescents who are too often precursors of high violence potential symptoms that may result in mass killings--if untreated. More specifically, this book will teach you the following: Becoming a Good Samaritan. Recognizing your own limitations in helping others. How to assess bizarre behavior. Knowing when to help and when to run. Intervention strategies. Second aid for friends and relatives. The mental health dilemma in the U.S.
Dr. Wonderling is one of those rare professionals with a variety of different careers and plenty of street savvy. As a mediocre high school student, he excelled in athletics with later inductions into the high school and college football halls of fame. Despite minimal academic interests, he managed a BA college degree in sociology and physical education. Then drafted into the Korean War, he served as a field counselor for traumatized combat soldiers and as a football coach. When discharged, his work with the emotionally troubled guided him away from a sports career to a MS degree in psychology. In his spare time, however, he enjoyed competitive skiing, ski patrol, ocean sailing, and national race car driving--for over 20 years. After a decade in the criminal justice system as parole agent, probation officer, and psychologist in several maximum security prisons, Dr. Wonderling obtained his PhD in clinical psychology and a private practice with drunks, junkies, and a wide variety of mentally disturbed social rejects in the rough San Francisco Tenderloin. He also worked as a Peace Corps consultant psychologist for fifteen years, with assignments throughout the world including Afghanistan, Swaziland, Ghana, Morocco, and both Central and South America. In addition to assisting troubled volunteers, he gained an international reputation as a cross cultural speaker and a human relations program developer. He is a critically acclaimed author with seven published books since his retirement, a columnist for a local Prescott, Arizona magazine for over five years, and has written numerous professional articles. In his 80's, Dr. Wonderling leads an exceptionally healthy, active life, with a continued concern for helping the disadvantaged, while enjoying each day.
