Mental Illness

Off-topic
1

“We speak of mental symptoms, on the other hand, when we refer to a patient’s communications about himself, others, and the world about him. He might state that he is Napoleon or that he is being persecuted by the Communists. These would be considered mental symptoms only if the observer believed that the patient was not Napoleon or that he was not being persecuted[sic] by the Communists. This makes it apparent that the statement that “X is a mental symptom” involves rendering a judgment. The judgment entails, moreover, a covert comparison or matching of the patient’s ideas, concepts, or beliefs with those of the observer and the society in which they live. The notion of mental symptom is therefore inextricably tied to the social (including ethical) context in which it is made in much the same way as the notion of bodily symptom is tied to an anatomical and genetic context (Szasz, 1957a, 1957b).”

"The crux of the matter is that a disease of the brain, analogous to a disease of the skin or bone, is a neurological defect, and not a problem in living. For example, a defect in a person’s visual field may be satisfactorily explained by correlating it with certain definite lesions in the nervous system. On the other hand, a person’s belief – whether this be a belief in Christianity, in Communism, or in the idea that his internal organs are “rotting” and that his body is, in fact, already “dead” – cannot be explained by a defect or disease of the nervous system. "

“Our adversaries are not demons, witches, fate, or mental illness. We have no enemy whom we can fight, exorcise, or dispel by “cure.” What we do have are problems in living – whether these be biologic, economic, political, or sociopsychological.”

Mental illness is a myth. Thoughts?

P.S. Any Bipolar, Schizophrenic, BPD, etc people on the fora?
I have cycthymic (super rapid cycling) bipolar, ADD, depression and other connected “diseases.” I had been off all my meds for a three weeks, until things got really bad a couple days ago. As much as I want to stay off them, my life is too stressful and hectic right now. :frowning:

2

I’m not exactly sure what your point is. Are you just saying that there’s no such thing as a mental illness? If so, I disagree. Diseases that interfere with your interpretation of reality are bad.

3

Really? What is reality? Why is interpreting something bad, even calling it a disease?
Following the same logic, one could say that Jews are bad and have a disease because they interpret reality the “wrong way,” because they only make up about 0.3% of the world population. I mean, if schizophrenics are about 1% of the world population, Jews must be REALLY crazy.

“Reality is an interpretation.” (Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success)

4

Yeah, I have to agree, if a person percieves things contrary to reality, then he is mentally ill. I personally don’t like the term disease. Disease has implications of germs (bacteria, viruses etc.). I think “disorder” is a more apt name. Something in a persons body is not working properly, but It may be due to faulty genes, rather than an unsanitary environment. Either way, there are mental illnesses, they do require us to make a judgement, but common sense needs to be used, which often means ignoring philosophical ideas. i.e. Wheter you see a tree by observing tree-like qualities, or you see tree-like qualities by observing a tree, you’ll still wreck your car if you crash into one.

5

Is thier brain ill? Did you read some of the essay I posted? If a person’s leg is broken, we can say there is a problem because in human anatomy, bones are connected. Saying that someone’s thinking is not proper is all based on the observer, and thne comparing what they observe to thier own beliefs on what is “normal,” along with social, ethical, etc. beliefs. Its practically a pseudoscience.

Are you “affected” by any mental conditions?

If people could say if they are or arent and which ones that would be cool.

Here is the full text of the bits of the essay I posted.

6

As far as I know, I’m good. I might have mild ADD, but I don’t really care.

I think mine and Sam’s point is that something that interferes with how you percieve what’s in front of you is generally bad. If you have hallucinations, and you “see” a dog in front of you on the highway, slam on your brakes, and cause a huge accident, that’s not good.

7

I’m waaaaay too lazy to read all of that…

8

Whats the difference?

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The difference is one is a reaction to something that is actually there, the other is a reaction to something you only think is there. Here’s a better example, If I feel a poky thing in my leg, and start disecting my own leg with unsterile tools, without medical training, and without anesthetic, that’s bad. If I were of sound mind, I would not feel the pokey thing ans therefore would not harm myself to remove something that doesn’t exist. Or if I did feel the pokey thing, I would find someone with sterile tools, medical training and anesthetic to remove it.

10

So, if you don’t believe in mental ilnesses why are you taking medication again?

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What I mean is that mental “illness” should not be considered a illness or disease. It shouldnt be something to be ashamed of, at all. Things like bi-polar shouldnt be “cured” or “eliminated.” Yes, I have extreme mood changes. My reality is known to differ from some others. I dont have a disease. I take medicine to help keep things the way I like them, just as some may drink coffee to help them wake up. There are other ways that should definetly be persued instead of drugs to keep things comfortable, but under my current circumstances I had to go back to my last resort.

12

another question for the belivers…

At what point does eccentricity, creativeness, or sponteneity cross over into the boundries of “mental illness?”

13

I do agree with you here. It shouldn’t be looked down upon, because it can’t be helped (to a certain degree). It’s like cancer, or a heart attack. They should be treated, I think, but not looked down upon. You’re proof enough that someone with a mental disorder isn’t “weird”.

One causes needless loss of property/good health. Not to mention, when someone sues you, telling the judge you “saw” a dog that wasn’t there won’t help too much.

14

When you hurt yourself or others because of it.

15

Wait! I believe you have a very serious condition! Being completely normal!

Really, it’s human nature to become bored of tedious tasks and have the mind wander. It’s not a ‘disorder’.

16

No, I think ADD is an actual condition. Do I agree with putting your kid on meds because he likes to talk in class? Hell no. And just for good measure, HELL no. If you have a problem with the way your kid behaves, than learn how to parent. Don’t take the easy way out with meds that can change your kid’s entire personality.

However, if your kid honestly has a problem focusing in class, and is worse off because of it, there’s nothing wrong with giving him medicine/treatment if it helps him.

17

I think you guys are missing DK’s point. Who’s to say how one should interpret reality?

Your example of seeing something that isn’t there is a severe case.

What about one’s perception of others’ emotions? One’s interpretation of sounds? There are some mental processes that evaluate things which can not be scientifically measured.

At what point do we say an individual has a problem with their interpretation?

Severe mental illnesses that involve psychosis aren’t as questionable as mild mental illnesses such as ADD or depression. IMHO, mild mental illnesses are up to the individual to diagnose… in that if one feels out of control of their own mind, treatment is necessary (although not necessarily medication).

Personally, I am a little frightened at how quick general practitioners are to dispense psychiatric drugs… anti-depressants are being prescribed for eating and sleeping disorders… stimulants are given to hyperactive children… perhaps there is some incentive given them by pharmaceutical companies, or perhaps it’s just the easy way out, either way I think people are being over-medicated.

18

“Everyone has ADD except the computers.”

Very true. I think some people get distracted easier than others, but doping our kids up on amphetamines, due to a poorly designed style of schooling and/or unrealistic expectations is one of the greatest overlooked medical atrocities in modern times.

19

Thank you. Someone gets it.

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Again, when one begins to harm himself or others, then it’s an issue.