Your Questions About What Is Mental Illness

Sandra asks…
What mental illness might make someone feel cold?
There is a beggar in my city who has been around for years, and he always goes about wearing a winter coat and hood, even on days like today (95 F and humid). I don’t know for certain that he has a mental illness, but is there any medical condition (mental or otherwise) that could cause this? (He appears physically healthy.)
It might be relevant that he is a fairly (but not abnormally, I don’t think, though it’s hard to tell) thin man, with glasses and a beard, perhaps in his late 40s.
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).

Jenny asks…
What criteria is being used to reference great minds of history to mental illness?
Are we basing this on historical documentation of their erratic behavior? I have often heard Van Gogh, and Poe referred to as manic depressive/schizophrenic/ect. Albert Einstein as autistic/schizophrenic among numerous other dead greats now being diagnosed. Did we establish these assumptions to bring consolation to those suffering from mental illness, or in our pretentious faith in modern science decide to “label” any popular figure who’s behavior did not conform to the standards of their time, and apply it to ours? I’m just curious and a little confused as the criteria for mental illness and specific diagnoses continues to “evolve” daily and remains subjective and inconsistent. Supposedly a “definititive diagnoses”can not be made without a psych eval(and even then…)
I’ve read that Joan of Arc was a schizophrenic. Jesus Christ ‘s documented behaviors make the rest look simply eccentric. Who’s gonna touch that?
I want to give you all stars. A million for each of you.
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.

Donald asks…
What mental illness did that Virginia Tech shooter have?
I heard it on the news but I couldn’t quite hear it right. Can someone tell me more about this illness and what is it called? And why in the F would someone give a gun to someone with a mental illness?
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.

Lisa asks…
Is studying psychology advisable to people with mental illness?
I have no mental illness but I asked this because I am curious about mentally ill people. What will happen to them if they take up psychology in college? Will it improve their mental health?
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.

Mary asks…
What mental illness do furries suffer from?
Hello, what is the mental illness called which makes people attracted to Sonic the Hedgehog?
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.
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Filed under Q&A From The Internet by Eric on Dec 6th, 2012.
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