This is a general list of signs of mental illness. Later on in further blog postings, there will be more indepth discussions of each sign/symptom. For now, here is a somewhat brief listing of signs of mental illness:
Anti-Social Behavior
Sadistic Traits/cruelty toward others
Anxiety
Appetite Disturbances
Avoidance
Body Image Issues
Compulsions
Confusion
Cravings
Deceitfulness/pathologically lying
Delusions
Denial
Depression
Dissociation/restricted awareness
Euphoria/feeling on top of the world
Fatigue/persistent fatigue
Fears/phobias
Flashbacks
Grandiosity
Grief
Hallucinations/Auditory or Visual
Hyperactivity
Identity Confusion
Impulsiveness
Intoxication
Jealousy
Learning Difficulties........
These are just some of the signs of possible mental illness. Many of the above listed items/emotions/issues are quite normal, but they can also mean underlying mental illness. Just as being impulsive happens to just about eveyone at some point, we buy that DVD player though we really shouldn't, there are extremes. These signs are not suggesting there is a definite mental illness involved, but may/should have further analysis. Should you be experiencing several of these signs simultaneously, then it would be advisable to seek some professional help to rule in or out the possiobility of mental illness. There are many more signs, as stated, this is a somewhat brief listing. The book, "50 Signs of Mental Illness", by James Whitney Hicks, M.D. was used as a reference to these signs. Printed by Yale University Press (yalebooks.com). Also available at Amazon.com, and many other establishments. The cost as of today is $18.00 USD. This book was selected as a best Non-Fiction Book of 2005 by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and recipient of awards as well.
In depth discussion on these and other mental health issues will be continually discussed here at http://www.mentalhealthawareness.blogspot.com/ ....Please be sure to become a follower of this blog...Bookmark it, feel free to leave comments or questions, and anything else relevant to the topic of mental ilness and wellness. Feedback is crucial!!! Thank you -
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Child Abuse: Traumatic Disorder
Repeated trauma in childhood can form and deform the personality.(TaR) The person in an abusive environment must learn to adapt in finding ways to feel security, trust, safety, and control. "Unable to care for or protect herself, she must compensate for the failures of adult care and protection with the only means at her disposal, an immature system of psychological defenses."(TaR) Childhood abuse creates extraordinary capacities, which are both destructive as well as creative. It enables abnormal consciousness states to where the normal relations to mind, body, imagination, reality, etc., no longer hold their continuity. This can produce an array of symptoms, "both somatic and psychological."(TaR)
Many sufferers of this trauma experience disturbed intimate relationships, depression, suicidal thoughts/actions, promescuity(adolescence), troubled personality issues, trust issues, fear, PTSD, developmental issues, nightmares, and many other issues.
"Survivors [of childhood abuse/trauma] describe a characteristic pattern of totalitarian control, enforced by means of violence or death threats, capricious enforcement of petty rules, intermittent rewards, and destruction of all competing relationships through isolation, secrecy, and betrayal."(TaR)
many people also describe a fear of death, which could be caused by childhood trauma of family members, or pets being abused or threatened. Survivors of childhood trauma and abuse also tend to have a sense of helplessness.
Children that live in an environment that is abusive develop "extraordinary abilities to scan for warning signs of attack."(TaP) They learn body language, tones of voice, facial gestures and expressions. This becomes "highly automatic" and happens mostly outside of the child's conscious awareness. Usually the child adapts by avoiding the abuser or the abusive situation altogether, as often as possible. If this does not work, then the child will tend to please the abuser(s) by being obedient and not creating anything that would cause an issue. "Many develop the belief that their abusers have absolute or even supernatural powers, can read their thoughts, and can control their lives entirely."(TaP) These children try extra hard to be "good".
Children in abusive or traumatic situations tend to be isolated from not only family members, but also from the larger social world.
** This information was compiled via "Trauma and Recovery", by Judith Herman, M.D.**
The fact is, there is so much more to this issue, I cannot recommend enough reading this book. It is compelling, unbelievably captivating, and also accurate. There is more that needs to be discussed on this issue, as well as recovery options and coping skills, which will be discussed further. This is just a primer on the issue of Traumatic Disorders, regarding the issue of child abuse. This issue is so terribly horrifying, so completely upsetting, and very distressing, that I feel it necessary to discuss this issue in segments, rather than all at once. I personally have not suffered from childhood abuse or trauma, however, am close to some who have. This issue, if you have experienced such trauma or know of someone who has, is diffu=icult, at best, to discuss, especially in one sitting.
There will be further discussion on this issue, and there will be discussion on RECOVERY from these traumas. Now that you know a little more in depth the psychological issues surrounding childhood trauma, we can further discuss the issue, as well as redcovery, in future segments.
Thank you for reading, and as always, please feel free to comment, email or post your questions...
Many sufferers of this trauma experience disturbed intimate relationships, depression, suicidal thoughts/actions, promescuity(adolescence), troubled personality issues, trust issues, fear, PTSD, developmental issues, nightmares, and many other issues.
"Survivors [of childhood abuse/trauma] describe a characteristic pattern of totalitarian control, enforced by means of violence or death threats, capricious enforcement of petty rules, intermittent rewards, and destruction of all competing relationships through isolation, secrecy, and betrayal."(TaR)
many people also describe a fear of death, which could be caused by childhood trauma of family members, or pets being abused or threatened. Survivors of childhood trauma and abuse also tend to have a sense of helplessness.
Children that live in an environment that is abusive develop "extraordinary abilities to scan for warning signs of attack."(TaP) They learn body language, tones of voice, facial gestures and expressions. This becomes "highly automatic" and happens mostly outside of the child's conscious awareness. Usually the child adapts by avoiding the abuser or the abusive situation altogether, as often as possible. If this does not work, then the child will tend to please the abuser(s) by being obedient and not creating anything that would cause an issue. "Many develop the belief that their abusers have absolute or even supernatural powers, can read their thoughts, and can control their lives entirely."(TaP) These children try extra hard to be "good".
Children in abusive or traumatic situations tend to be isolated from not only family members, but also from the larger social world.
** This information was compiled via "Trauma and Recovery", by Judith Herman, M.D.**
The fact is, there is so much more to this issue, I cannot recommend enough reading this book. It is compelling, unbelievably captivating, and also accurate. There is more that needs to be discussed on this issue, as well as recovery options and coping skills, which will be discussed further. This is just a primer on the issue of Traumatic Disorders, regarding the issue of child abuse. This issue is so terribly horrifying, so completely upsetting, and very distressing, that I feel it necessary to discuss this issue in segments, rather than all at once. I personally have not suffered from childhood abuse or trauma, however, am close to some who have. This issue, if you have experienced such trauma or know of someone who has, is diffu=icult, at best, to discuss, especially in one sitting.
There will be further discussion on this issue, and there will be discussion on RECOVERY from these traumas. Now that you know a little more in depth the psychological issues surrounding childhood trauma, we can further discuss the issue, as well as redcovery, in future segments.
Thank you for reading, and as always, please feel free to comment, email or post your questions...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sorry it has been so long since the last posting.... HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!
I apologize for the delay in postings.... It is a New Year and I will be discussing all topics pertaining to mental illness/mental wellness and mental illness awareness as well. Topics will include Brain Function and Mental Illness, Signs of Mental Illness, Mental Health Advocacy, Mental Illnesses and disorders, including "cutting", personality disorders, psychotic fetaures and issues, suggestions for wellness, coping skills for different disorders, all of the Major illnesses such as BiPolar Disorder, Schizophrenia (http://www.theschizophreniadaily.blogspot.com/), Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Eating Disorders, Dissassociative Disorder, and much more. I hope you will continue to read this blog, as I have a lot of information to share with all of you!! Thank you for your support and I hope you have and will continue to pull a lot of good information from this blog, and possibly pass it on to someone who needs it! Please remember to always stay forcused, remember that mental illness is not "craziness", and there is a help and assistance out there.... Just stay aware!!! Have a wonderful day and Happy New Year to everyone reading!! Happy Reading!
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