Your Questions About What Is Mental Illness

Eric answers:

Inability to accept change is diagnostic of a very long list of psychological disorders. It’s also diagnostic of neurological disorders. It may just be that he is self-conscious about the way he looks (his shape) and chooses to cover up. It may also be that he is homeless and would rather wear the coat than carry it. It may be that the coat serves as a multipurpose tool (lots of pockets, pillow or blanket for sleeping, prevents sun damage, etc.). It’s impossible to know unless you ask him. Even still, his answer might be a lie or a miss-perception. The answer doesn’t really matter ultimately. You can believe what you wish to believe.

As a point of interest, people with depression or depressive disorders will often have low metabolisms and therefore lower heat output. This could account for the need of a coat (especially if he doesn’t have a lot of internal insulation (fat).

Eric answers:

These labels placed on historical figures are completely unsubstantiated and have no true value. If you look at the current manual used for diagnosis under the auspises of the APA (American Psychological Association) the DSM IV-TR there is a statement which says that the labels or diaqnoses noted in the manual are purely a form of short hand for mental health professionals and may descibe a group of behaviors which are consistent with a person with a mental disorder. It further states that the diagnosis can only be made after counseling and evaluation by the mental health provider. As no mental health provider can observe, speak with or in anyway directly evaluate any person who is deceased, any opinion of their behavior has no value, it is purely based on anecdotal stories from biographies and historical records. As we have seen many times over the years, biographies vary wildly depending on who writes them, and history is often revised to meet the needs of the writers of the history at the time. Taking your final example as a study we can note that the four gospels do not completely agree. They have similar themes and significant consistencies, but are not exact. So no evaluation is possible.

Eric answers:

I believe it was called selective mutism, I could be wrong though. It means he had trouble speaking in social settings when it was expected of him.

What Is Selective Mutism?

Selective Mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak in select social settings, such as school. These children understand language and are able to talk normally in settings where they are comfortable, secure and relaxed.

Over 90% of children with Selective Mutism also have social phobia or social anxiety, and some experts view Selective Mutism as a symptom of social anxiety. Others view it as a separate, but related, disorder. It is not yet understood why some individuals develop typical symptoms of social anxiety, like reluctance to speak in front of a group of people or feeling embarrassed easily, while others experience the inability to speak that characterizes Selective Mutism. What is clear is that children and adolescents with SM have an actual fear of speaking and of social interactions where there is an expectation to talk. They may also be unable to communicate nonverbally, may be unable to make eye contact and may stand motionless with fear as they are confronted with specific social settings. This can be quite heart wrenching to watch, and is often very debilitating for the child as well as frustrating for parents and teachers.

Eric answers:

I took my many experiences as the mentally ill “patient” or “client” and put it to use as a professional therapist. I went to college and grad school and now I’m helping others who are in the position I used to be in. It helps me feel good about my accomplishments and I help others by knowing how it feels to be in their shoes. I think just being satisfied with what we do for a living does wonders for our mental health, no matter who we are. So if it is someone’s passion, whatever their diagnosis or lack thereof is, they should do it.

BUT… I will say that my profession does seem to draw people who have emotional issues that they’ve never dealt with. It is an interesting phenomenon.

I’m assuming you only mean studying psychology professionally. Learning about mental illness and all the information related to it can be useful to any person with a mental illness.

Eric answers:

I think that it would be ok to say that “furries” can sometimes be said to have some type of personality disorder. I’m not saying all of them have it, but it could be a theory to why sometimes they have an urge to be furry. Most people genuinly like this intrigueing fandom but ohers strongly believe that it is a spiritual thing and they are or should have been “something” else.