Saturday, October 25, 2008
'Mad Pride'
Mental illness is not an identity. Nor is it something I wish to celebrate. Though certainly I would agree that the human rights of those deemed to be mad have for centuries been routinely disregarded - and that the stigma attached to mental ill-health is as powerful as racism, or indeed as homophobia. There isn't even a word for it, although I'm not sure the best way to counter this for me is to proclaim myself "Glad to be Mad"...
'Borderline' & 'Schizoid' Personalities
BORDERLINE PERSONALITIES
This term designates a defect in the maternal attachment bond to an over-concern with "other." Many have affixed the term "as if" personalities to them, for they tend to subjugate or compromise themselves. They question their sense of existence, suffer from acute abandonment anxiety, persecutory anxiety, and tend to merge with others in very painful ways in order to get a sense of bonding. Under close scrutiny and under stress, they distort, misperceive, have poor impulse control, and turn suddenly against self and others to attack, blame, find fault, and get even worse.
SCHIZOID PERSONALITY
The central features of the schizoid is their defenses of attachment, aloofness, and indifference to others. The schizoid, although difficult to treat, is usually motivated, unlike the passive-aggressive, but because of his detachment and aloofness lacks the capacity to achieve social gratification. A close relationship invites danger of being overwhelmed, suffocated for it may envision a relinquishing of his independence. The schizoid, differs from the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in that the Obsessive-Compulsive feels great discomfort with emotions, whereas the schizoid is lacking in the capacity, at least recognizes the need. The schizoids differs from the narcissist in that they are self-sufficient, and self-contained.
This term designates a defect in the maternal attachment bond to an over-concern with "other." Many have affixed the term "as if" personalities to them, for they tend to subjugate or compromise themselves. They question their sense of existence, suffer from acute abandonment anxiety, persecutory anxiety, and tend to merge with others in very painful ways in order to get a sense of bonding. Under close scrutiny and under stress, they distort, misperceive, have poor impulse control, and turn suddenly against self and others to attack, blame, find fault, and get even worse.
SCHIZOID PERSONALITY
The central features of the schizoid is their defenses of attachment, aloofness, and indifference to others. The schizoid, although difficult to treat, is usually motivated, unlike the passive-aggressive, but because of his detachment and aloofness lacks the capacity to achieve social gratification. A close relationship invites danger of being overwhelmed, suffocated for it may envision a relinquishing of his independence. The schizoid, differs from the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in that the Obsessive-Compulsive feels great discomfort with emotions, whereas the schizoid is lacking in the capacity, at least recognizes the need. The schizoids differs from the narcissist in that they are self-sufficient, and self-contained.
'Bi-Polar'
I am Bi-Polar, this is what I have to keep telling myself. It’s not that I forget, it’s just that when things feel normal, they are normal, which leads me to think that I am normal. Bi-polar doesn’t feel like much, it’s very sneaky for me.
I believe that civil rights and public understanding hasn’t reached the same levels as it has with other groups. If I was feeling “bi-polar” was a good excuse to people for actions, I would never be able to escape the stigma of having bi-polar actions. When I would be feeling ecstatic because I received my dream job, my mood could be labeled by other people as manic, or if someone died who was very close to me, my mood could be label just the opposite, people have a hard time knowing where it stops and where it begins; I have a hard time knowing where it stops and where it begins. This is bi-polar.
I believe that civil rights and public understanding hasn’t reached the same levels as it has with other groups. If I was feeling “bi-polar” was a good excuse to people for actions, I would never be able to escape the stigma of having bi-polar actions. When I would be feeling ecstatic because I received my dream job, my mood could be labeled by other people as manic, or if someone died who was very close to me, my mood could be label just the opposite, people have a hard time knowing where it stops and where it begins; I have a hard time knowing where it stops and where it begins. This is bi-polar.
'The Unhealable Disease'
To lay in sorrow today, tomorrow
To want in your mind, yet feel in your heart
That there is a life, but it is not yours
The Unhealable dream of being your part
That your soul is a toy, never filled with joy
Hot iron to the feelings, unmitigated hate
Left on the brink of the life ending days
Not one considerate note only a calendar date
Longing with love returned not ever fret
Destroyer of love and bringer of regret
Who be these ghosts of times long past
Why did the window of time opaque so fast
Death is it the saviour or only the wait
Is there left to be any happy or just hollow words
Alone in the dark, scared to move either way
Forward or backwards is either progress, or to late
None can help for the sorrow of time gone
Never shall it come back to see or change one time
Drugs are easy to come and though not heal
For no drug can change death or what it feels
Unhealable are memories
Unhealable are eyes
Unhealable the darkness
Unhealable is despise
To want in your mind, yet feel in your heart
That there is a life, but it is not yours
The Unhealable dream of being your part
That your soul is a toy, never filled with joy
Hot iron to the feelings, unmitigated hate
Left on the brink of the life ending days
Not one considerate note only a calendar date
Longing with love returned not ever fret
Destroyer of love and bringer of regret
Who be these ghosts of times long past
Why did the window of time opaque so fast
Death is it the saviour or only the wait
Is there left to be any happy or just hollow words
Alone in the dark, scared to move either way
Forward or backwards is either progress, or to late
None can help for the sorrow of time gone
Never shall it come back to see or change one time
Drugs are easy to come and though not heal
For no drug can change death or what it feels
Unhealable are memories
Unhealable are eyes
Unhealable the darkness
Unhealable is despise
'Bipolar Spectrum'
The primary differences of opinion around the diagnosis relate to what exactly defines a bipolar disorder and what constitutes a mood swing:
Classic definition: The classic definition of bipolar disorder includes major depressive episodes that last at least two weeks and periods of mania or hypomania that last at least seven or four days respectively.
Expanded definition: Over the last decade a number of experts in the field encourage expanding the diagnosis to include mood changes that are much different – moods that change quickly (within moments to hours) and that are often triggered by a particular stimulus. Some feel that this kind of mood regulation problem is related to bipolar disorder – and this has led to the birth of the “bipolar spectrum” concept.
The concept of a bipolar spectrum has taken hold with great strength in the world of child psychiatry. As a result, all kinds of angry and emotionally unregulated children have been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, and more adults in this range have been included as well.
These types of mood regulation problems are real problems – with real brain wiring issues – and deserve to be carefully evaluated and treated. The problem is that many conditions and problems other than bipolar disorder can also cause these regulation problems. Families of children and adults with this clinical picture suffer greatly, but whether or not it is helpful to lump all of these people in the “bipolar spectrum” is another question.
Classic definition: The classic definition of bipolar disorder includes major depressive episodes that last at least two weeks and periods of mania or hypomania that last at least seven or four days respectively.
Expanded definition: Over the last decade a number of experts in the field encourage expanding the diagnosis to include mood changes that are much different – moods that change quickly (within moments to hours) and that are often triggered by a particular stimulus. Some feel that this kind of mood regulation problem is related to bipolar disorder – and this has led to the birth of the “bipolar spectrum” concept.
The concept of a bipolar spectrum has taken hold with great strength in the world of child psychiatry. As a result, all kinds of angry and emotionally unregulated children have been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, and more adults in this range have been included as well.
These types of mood regulation problems are real problems – with real brain wiring issues – and deserve to be carefully evaluated and treated. The problem is that many conditions and problems other than bipolar disorder can also cause these regulation problems. Families of children and adults with this clinical picture suffer greatly, but whether or not it is helpful to lump all of these people in the “bipolar spectrum” is another question.
Bipolar Work-Related Issues
If you’ve resigned from a job due to the symptoms of bipolar disorder or side effects of the meds, please describe what happened and how you feel about your decision.
If you kept your job, what adjustments (if any) did you make to ease the transition back to work? Did your employer or co-workers assist in any way?
If your employer fired you or “let you go,” what happened? Did you take action? If you did, what were the results?
If you’re an attorney, do you have any recommendations on how to protect one’s rights as an employee?
If you’re an occupational therapist, what suggestions can you offer?
If you kept your job, what adjustments (if any) did you make to ease the transition back to work? Did your employer or co-workers assist in any way?
If your employer fired you or “let you go,” what happened? Did you take action? If you did, what were the results?
If you’re an attorney, do you have any recommendations on how to protect one’s rights as an employee?
If you’re an occupational therapist, what suggestions can you offer?
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