Mental Disorders

Eponine:

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by tics - the involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way. Symptoms can sometimes disappear for weeks or months at a time, but usually onset before the age of 18.

Just on TS, (and I'm not saying anyone here has claimed this) I kind of get annoyed when people assume that people with TS swear a lot. That's a common myth, and even though some tics can be swear words, majority of tics are actually physical actions or just 'normal' words like, for example, 'coffee; or 'cheese' or something. I learned that in Psychology class and it set some things straight for me about this particular mental illness.

Just thought I'd say that for discussion's sake.

I have read a few books by people who have/had mental disorders.
Most of them have been about the author harming herself in some way (severly, I might add), as well as being addicted to drugs, which has triggered for example schitzophernia. (As it did with my aunt. Another reason not to do drugs.)

What I have discovered through these books, is that mental disorders are so, so complicated. There are so many layers, and you can't just take a bunch of pills and then be fine.

When it comes to depression, eating-, mood- and personality disorders (to name a few), I believe that through right psychological training/treatment and medicine, you can, if not be cured, become better.

But, now that I've written this, I realize just how little I know. :/

Sorry if this was pointless.

Mindfuck:

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Just on TS, (and I'm not saying anyone here has claimed this) I kind of get annoyed when people assume that people with TS swear a lot. That's a common myth, and even though some tics can be swear words, majority of tics are actually physical actions or just 'normal' words like, for example, 'coffee; or 'cheese' or something. I learned that in Psychology class and it set some things straight for me about this particular mental illness.

Just thought I'd say that for discussion's sake.

Yeah, I didn't know that about it either. I always though it was random outburst of swearing, but thankfully I'm more educated on the subject now.

There's nothing wrong with disorders. People have feelings!

Saint Helena:

There's nothing wrong with disorders. People have feelings!

What?

Im sorry, but disorders and feelings arn't the same things.

Mental Disorders catch my interest extemely. I love learing about the one I have and about others I don't. I fear terrible for those who have some of the mental disorders I know about. It can completely ruin a life if undiagnosed. It can also be very dangerous.

That's why I hate when people claim to have one and think it makes them cool. It is anything but cool.

Ohbseen:

That's why I hate when people claim to have one and think it makes them cool. It is anything but cool.

I hate that too, and you see it a lot on the internet. People are like "I am bi-polar, depressed, OCD, ADD, Schizophrenic, Anorexic, Bulimic" and I'm just like "No."

Eponine:

Oh, it's just that in a health class I took they listed autism as a mental disorder.

Is it? I mean, I haven't ever seen it defined as one. What did they say?

For some odd reason, I am very sensitive to autism. I don't really have anyone in my life who has it, other than a coworker's son whom I've met once. But honestly, it just seems like a developmental issue. it can be overcome...

There's a fantastic book out there called "Nobody Nowhere" by Donna Williams, an Australian autistic who recovered enough to even write a book about her struggle. If you're of a mind to buy books online, perhaps Amazon.com has it. I'd highly recommend it. it really puts you in her shoes and I found a very strong relation to her feelings and sensations.

Chris Martin:

Is it? I mean, I haven't ever seen it defined as one. What did they say?

For some odd reason, I am very sensitive to autism. I don't really have anyone in my life who has it, other than a coworker's son whom I've met once. But honestly, it just seems like a developmental issue. it can be overcome...

There's a fantastic book out there called "Nobody Nowhere" by Donna Williams, an Australian autistic who recovered enough to even write a book about her struggle. If you're of a mind to buy books online, perhaps Amazon.com has it. I'd highly recommend it. it really puts you in her shoes and I found a very strong relation to her feelings and sensations.

A child with autism appears to live in his/her own world, showing little interest in others, and a lack of social awareness. Autism surfaces within the first three years of life. Autistic children often have problems in communication, avoid eye contact, and show limited attachment to others.

That's all it says, in the health course.
I've heard that a lot of autistic people are very bright, but because they don't communicate well, people don't always see them that way. Aspergers is considered a mental illness and it's a mild form of autism. It's also said that Autism may be caused by something in your genes, a rare mutation or something. I don't think there's enough known about it to really classify it yet.

I searched that book on my local library website and they have it, I'm requesting it.

Eponine:

I've heard that a lot of autistic people are very bright, but because they don't communicate well, people don't always see them that way. Aspergers is considered a mental illness and it's a mild form of autism. It's also said that Autism may be caused by something in your genes, a rare mutation or something. I don't think there's enough known about it to really classify it yet.

A lot of people say that autism is genetic. I suppose it could also be a birth defect. Check out the Wiki article if you haven't yet; I recently read the entire thing and most of its links and found it very informative if it's to be trusted.

As far as brightness, you may be thinking of savantism - kind of like Rain Man, where a person with autism has one specific area in which they excel highly. That Savant Syndrome article on Wikipedia actually has an accurate quote from Darold Treffert, or one I believe to be accurate, in which he describes it as having a mind that is "exceedingly deep but very, very narrow." However, not all autistics are savants.

I am not sure about general IQ of the general autistic population, though. Jeannine, my coworker, has a son going through some routine IQ tests at his special learning school, and they said it appears that he has a very good IQ, but I'm not sure about being "bright." Perhaps it's true. I didn't notice it in my so-called "learnings," but I'm no expert, that's for sure.

Thanks for getting that book. I didn't think anyone would. Make sure to tell us how you like it.

Chris Martin:

A lot of people say that autism is genetic. I suppose it could also be a birth defect. Check out the Wiki article if you haven't yet; I recently read the entire thing and most of its links and found it very informative if it's to be trusted.

As far as brightness, you may be thinking of savantism - kind of like Rain Man, where a person with autism has one specific area in which they excel highly. That Savant Syndrome article on Wikipedia actually has an accurate quote from Darold Treffert, or one I believe to be accurate, in which he describes it as having a mind that is "exceedingly deep but very, very narrow." However, not all autistics are savants.

I am not sure about general IQ of the general autistic population, though. Jeannine, my coworker, has a son going through some routine IQ tests at his special learning school, and they said it appears that he has a very good IQ, but I'm not sure about being "bright." Perhaps it's true. I didn't notice it in my so-called "learnings," but I'm no expert, that's for sure.

Thanks for getting that book. I didn't think anyone would. Make sure to tell us how you like it.

So all in all, it's very incredibly complicated.
No prob, I love reading, especially about things that I know next to nothing about, like autism.

Bert McCracken:

drugs did this to him and alot of family history.

I thought schizophrenia was more due to genetics, because often times if one family member has it, chances are another will too?

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I'm scared I'm going to develop it because my psychologist said its really possible I could because I've been suffering depression for a very long time

Like your depression is going to turn into schizophrenia?

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I can't even imagine ending up like my uncle, he's so drugged up on psych drugs its so sad, when i heard his voice on the phone for the first time when i was 8 for christmas, i almost cried his voice sounded so blank.

That's really sad, but if he wasn't drugged up it could be worse.

Eponine:

I thought schizophrenia was more due to genetics, because often times if one family member has it, chances are another will too?

thats what I'm scared of, our family has horrible mental health issues in its history. The drugs he started taking because of my grandmother pushing religion on him to a scale he started to hear angels and speak to god...so yeah >_<

Eponine:

Like your depression is going to turn into schizophrenia?

Yeah, because the psych doctor said I'm infrequently experiencing anhedonia, depression and depersonalization :/ but its nothing to worry about for now, hopefully. I dont try to think about it.

Eponine:

That's really sad, but if he wasn't drugged up it could be worse.

I know but it was just so upsetting honestly >__<

Bert McCracken:

thats what I'm scared of, our family has horrible mental health issues in its history. The drugs he started taking because of my grandmother pushing religion on him to a scale he started to hear angels and speak to god...so yeah >_<

What if angels really where speaking to him? O_O
Sorry that was just my immediate thought.

Eponine:

What if angels really where speaking to him? O_O
Sorry that was just my immediate thought.

Mom hasn't told me what he said they said but I'm doubting it completely.
He went off his rocker >___<

Eponine:

I thought schizophrenia was more due to genetics, because often times if one family member has it, chances are another will too?

Some drugs can trigger schizophrenia if you're predisposed to it. If you're predisposed to it, it doesn't mean you will necessarily get schizophrenia - but things can set it off. I know pot is one of the drugs that can trigger it.

^Thanks.