All the voices in my that agree, say 'aye'!

[williamofoccam]

I been spending some quality time with my abnormal psych class.  Specifically with a case study of a schizophrenic.  It is funny that the random draw gave me this case, because it's one of those diagnoses that interested me in undergrad as well.  Clients with this variety of disorder tread on the edge of reality.  I know they are not the only

Comments

Tasty topic

[careswen]

Having beliefs that some would classify as "supernatural," I have often been curious about the blurry line between supernatural beliefs and schizophrenia. It doesn't help that religious ideation is so common in serious mental illness -- in a four month internship on in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, I met three people (including a female) claiming to be Jesus Christ. (Fortunately, not all at once. I wouldn't want to see that bid for supremacy

Re: Tasty topic

[williamofoccam]

I think you are correct un the useful or uselessness of the behavior is a good indicator.

There is more in pyschology that is cultraly specific than I knew about. This is a good thing, but then it blurs the line. There is a condition listed in the DSM for people who develop a condition after practicing Qi-Gong. This is main localized in China but I wouldn't have suspected this 'vital energy exercise' to have negative reprecussions.

Oh, and I don't think you'd ever have to worry about folks claiming to be Jesus Christ have problems when they met each other. I'm sure he would forgive himself/herself the indescretion. :)

Re: Tasty topic

[careswen]

Wow, developing a condition from Qi-Gong? Wild. Like a psychosomatic illness or something? Huh.

Re: Tasty topic

[williamofoccam]

Because you would be someone who would enjoy knowing the details as much as I here's the entry.

From Appendix I, Outline for Cultural Formulation and Glossary of Culture Bound Syndroms, MSM-IV-TR

"qi-gong psychotic reaction A term describing an acute, time-limited episode characterized by dissociative, paranoid, or other psychotic or nonpsychotic symptoms that may occur after participation in the Chinese folk health-enhancing practice of qi-gong ("exercise of vital energy"). Especially vulnerable are individuals who become overly involved in the practice. This diagnosis is included in the 'Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders', Second Edition (CCDM-2)."

This lends some validity to 'everything in moderation'.

[williamofoccam]

Ack. Misdiagnosis is something that makes me uncomfortable. I can see how it can happen, but... then I tend to hold myself overly responsible on things.

That's why reassessment happens a little each session I guess.

Thanks for the condition suggestion to research as well.

[careswen]

Wow, that's good to know about. Who knows if we'll ever come across it, but I'd sure like to be prepared and be able to help the patient faster.

[paraselenic]

other interesting note:
I worked with "special needs" children for a large part of my adult life, some with fetal alcohol syndrome. As they were children, they weren't labeled schizophrenic as children don't have the ability to differentiate reality the way that the adult brain can, but they carry many of the same characteristics. One girl who I worked with heard voices almost constantly, and had the paranoia to boot "they're talking about me! I heard them telling you about me!" She had a deadly aversion to pinecones-- she was convinced they were trying to hurt her. all of those things aside, she was the best part of my job, all those insecurities and "symptoms" made her so unique and fun to be around (when she wasn't spitting or hitting, but that was due to the voices, not her).

Schizophrenia, like much of psychology, is so wrapped up in culture and context that it makes it almost impossible to discuss anything as an absolute. I'm jealous of your journey.

[williamofoccam]

This class in abnormal has been eye opening in pointing out the relativism it terms of culture and context. There is a small section of the Diagnostic and Statical Manual of mental disorders that talks about some conditions that are specific to different culteral groups.

Thanks for sharing your experience with children who have fetal alcohol syndrom. I'm nervous about the path I've chosen, but the nervousness seems in proportion to the change that is happening. Sometimes I want to go back to what I know in corporate America, not because I like it but because it's familiar and I'm good at it.

[careswen]

"I'm nervous about the path I've chosen, but the nervousness seems in proportion to the change that is happening."

Ditto.

[williamofoccam]

Along with that nervousness I've been getting alot of really good insight to myself and how to make my own life easier in general and when I go into practice.

I think the lifestyle assemment class is when some of the veils started opening for me. I'm looking forward to our coffee time coming up.