Alan Hirshfeld, professor of physics and astronomy at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, also felt it’s been disproven, but added, I assume without prompting, “People may tend to get more romantically inclined…”

There are also all those theories about tides and fact that we humans are 80% water. Cecil Adams, in his “The Straight Dope” ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_337.html ) points out that other things besides moon exert influence on us: “Researchers have calculated that a mother holding her baby exerts 12 million times tide-raising force on child that moon does, simply by virtue of being closer.”

It sounds like researchers were talking about physical movement. We’re talking about emotions, very watery things indeed. But who exerts more emotional pull on an infant than mother holding it? You see how complex it all is …

It also should be noted that nearness of moon affects tides, not phase of moon. Kelly, Rotton, and Culver attributed persistent myths to four things: (1) media effects; (2) folkore and tradition; (3) misconception (i.e., tidal force of moon depends on its distance from earth, not its phase), and (4) cognitive biases (all bad events don’t occur during full moon and all events that occur during full moon aren’t bad!).

So where does Emotional Intelligence come in? Emotions are strong and they’re also contagious. Some of us are more open to “suggestions” than others, and more effected by emotions of those around us, and by tradition, media, and so forth. EQ is about self-awareness. I invite you to observe things around this full moon. Self-management is key to emotional intelligence, and related to success in relationships, career, and life, as well as to our wellness. Here’s how it works. IF full moon exerts pressure on us to act irrationally, so do other things, like PMS, heat, toxic people, crowded conditions and stress. IF others around you were to start acting more looney than usual, they also do during conflict, bankruptcy, stock market fluctuations, personal crises, and stress; and,

IF other people ‘believe in’ lunar effect, it’s part of reality. No matter what ‘effects’ are going, using your EQ can help you function at your best, and manage your environment positively.

The werewolf, metaphorically, is about letting your reptilian brain take over and hijack your reasoning. You get too tired, too hungry, too stressed, or are assaulted, and you turn into a ‘beast,’ yes??

We have to cope with emotional “pulls” all time. Because of our limbic connection with other humans, which is what makes our bonding possible, we can tell what others feel, and it can get to us. Being aware of how you’re affected by other things – people, circumstances, your own emotions, and possibly full moons – is knowledge you can use for better self- and other-management. Then you can respond to circumstances, not just react to them in a knee-jerk, sometimes beastly, fashion, yes?

Does full moon cause aberrant behavior, including that craziest behavior of all – falling in love? We don’t know. We do know full moon is beautiful.

I think of a cruise I took during a full moon not long ago. Who wouldn’t fall in love standing on deck of a ship watching full moon rise over endless ocean with no signs of civilization in sight – fall in love with person standing next to you, one you left back home, with night, with life, with wonder of it all? “And all night’s magic seems to whisper and hush. And all soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.” (Van Morrison, “Moondance”)

It’s your full moon. Make it a good one! Use your EQ.

If untreated, some individuals develop emotional difficulties such as depression associated with inability to concentrate, sleep, and eat. Occasionally, they also become hopeless to point that they want to die.

What is treatment for PTSD?

The combination of individual psychotherapy and medications is known to help. Antidepressants especially SSRIs have been tried with some success. Other medications have been helpful to address associated symptoms. Anxiety and agitation can be treated with benzodiazepines. The latter should be restricted to short-term use because of their addiction potential. Insomnia can be treated by a small dose of Trazodone.

Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” is an important part of treatment and recovery. The individual should be able to express fear, frustration, guilt, and blame in a secure and safe setting. Moreover, therapist should provide ample support and empathy.

Copyright © 2005. Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An Emotional Intelligence or EQ Game. For more information, visit www.oikosgame.com and www.soardime.com.