Is Free Thinking A Mental Illness?

[Studeo]

Is nonconformity and freethinking a mental illness? According to the newest addition of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), it certainly is. The manual identifies a new mental illness called “oppositional defiant disorder” or ODD. Defined as an “ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behavior,” symptoms include questioning authority, negativity, defiance, argumentativeness, and being easily annoyed.

The DSM-IV is the manual used by psychiatrists to diagnose mental illnesses and, with each new edition, there are scores of new mental illnesses. Are we becoming sicker? Is it getting harder to be mentally healthy? Authors of the DSM-IV say that it’s because they’re better able to identify these illnesses today. Critics charge that it’s because they have too much time on their hands.

New mental illnesses identified by the DSM-IV include arrogance, narcissism, above-average creativity, cynicism, and antisocial behavior. In the past, these were called “personality traits,” but now they’re diseases.

And there are treatments available.
http://offthegridnews.com/2010/10/08/is-free-thinking-a-mental-illness/?ref=nf

[shadowstalker]

Not surprised at this , as I told a friend of mine last yr. they will find new ways of medicated us.
Each generation will have a new dis-ease for them to diagnose by and medicate us with there killer dope.
I warned a lot of folks this would happen.

[Ethereal Blue Being]

Studeo, I see you're located in New Zealand. Does this manual apply to the US as well. Even if it doesn't this is pretty astounding . This "Oppositional Defiant Disorder" sounds like the typical teenager/preteen at times of extreme stress. If someone I knew acted like that (all of a sudden and for an extended period of time) I would assume they were facing extreme stress. And this manuel calls arrogance, narcissism a mental illness ! This applies to quite a few people I know.Arrogant because they have risen to the top of their profession, Narcissistic because of amazing genes or really big bank accounts that have allowed them the best face, body and clothes money can buy. They may not be what is considered "normal" but they still have a really big heart and do care about their families, friends etc. You mentioned "above average creativity" as a mental illness, thats inconceivable. How can a person be "too creative"? It would be really interesting to read the symptoms on that one. and let me guess the "treatments are drugs" INteresting thread,I'm going to go watch your source material. Thanks Studeo

[East Sun]

Unreal...Reeks of Big Brother...Because you question the ongoing manipulation of the citizens by the ptb you are branded as having a mental illness. That sounds like what a psychiatrist once said about anyone believing in any Religion to have a mental aberration.
No this thinking is not anything but declaring your right to be free.....

[Dale]

symptoms include questioning authority, negativity, defiance, argumentativeness, and being easily annoyed.

I wonder when they'll start making vaccines for this.

[Heartsong]

It might possibly mean a disorder where the patient, regardless of topic or circumstances, is oppositional. Whatever is expected or posed, the patient does the opposite and is deliberate and or aggressive about it. Sort of like a grown up two year old. Won't stop at red lights, drives the wrong way down one-way streets, won't wear clothes, argues just to be contrary. I don't think it's means that the patient is just unconventional in their thinking. More likely that the patient is contrary without regard to consequences to the extent that they can harm themselves or others.
Just a thought.

[AtlasFactor]

I was diagnosed with a mental illness, and over the years came to accept their diagnosis. Believed myself to be mentally ill, sought to re-integrate, sought to dismiss those disturbing notions & perceptions which doctors assured me were the result of psychosis.

In later years I came to learn that those things which had me diagnosed were in fact accurately perceived phenomenon (I won't go into details here.) At the time I grew very afraid because no one else around me knew we live within an artificial Matrix. I saw outside the cage, got spooked, & then the hammer came down in the form of medication and the state health system. Looking back, doctors I interacted with either knew nothing of reality outside the matrix, & bombard with pills whomever ends up in front of them (and they get comissions & treats from drug companies for it.) That, or they are system insiders who know very well, & whose job is to maintain the matrix by acting as witch hunters for those who, like me, saw the nature of the cage.

[AtlasFactor]

To this day, if I say some things which hard research can verify - ET presence, for instance - some around me would believe it "symptoms" rearing their heads, and doctors would assuredly want to up dosages of medication. It would not matter that the thought process could be rationally demonstrated, it is if the conclusion reached is deemed impossible, one is deemed ill.

[Ross]

An old friend of mine was a leading Psychiatrist in NZ at a very notorious facility.

I asked her to explain the definition of 'insanity versus saneness', she replied...If you step outside of the 'accepted rational of social behaviour' this includes what you say as well as your actions, you are deemed not fit for general society and thus deemed as insane...she went onto say...co-existing in society, wherever you live in the world, requires a high level of stratergy, a game if you will, and you must play it to win. She continued...if we spoke out loud to others what we are thinking at any given time we all would be deemed insane.

I have never forgotten that conversation...

Regards

Ross.

[Elandiel BernElve]

Categorizing people in such ways sounds medieval to me.
Considering all the the cultures of this planet, the extensive diversity of people within one society alone. I mean you only have to listen to music to get how many ways there are of seeing adn experiencing life.
And now some people in white coats totally detached from anything spiritual or universal call a person with a free mind ill.
They are the ill ones, lacking any sense of universal behaviour.

[steve_a]

Hi Studeo,

You may be suprised to hear that mental illness doesn't exist. It cannot be claimed as an illness as it isn't clinical, as is, for example diabetes. This book you refer to are mere opinions by people who meet up each year and vote as to which new opinion, in their mind, is valid.

I was given an example which I found interesting. If a man was on his own on a desert island, would he have a mental illness? The answer is 'no' as there needs to be an 'opinion' and sometihing to mark the man 'out of bounds'. If the man was on his own on a desert island with cancer, would he still have cancer? Of course he would.

Another valid example is the 'out of bounds' remark I just made in the above paragraph. If a man was outside Tescos kneeling to God and praying out loud, he could be deemed crazy, however, place this same man in a church or a Bhuddist temple he would be deemed devout. What I'm trying to get at here is that everything is relative so two peope doing the exact same thing will make one of them crazy in one situation and the other person extremely dedicated in another. That's why it's difficult to claim that mental illness exists.

I will scrub around for a Youtube video that I once saw....

Best regards,

Steve

[steve_a]

Hi Studeo,

The 'save' tag doesn't seem to work on my computer o here's the link to a Youtube video that explains it all quite well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu7NDUc5TD4

Just to tell you we are all quite eccentric sometimes. When I left the UK many years ago my family members thought I was crazy. Now they seem to be somewhat jealous (in a good way) giving me the "I wish I could have done that" story. ;)

Best regards,

Steve

[morguana]

it is my feeling that every body on this planet has some neurosis or another (makes us individual), its all to do with ego defence and only becomes a concern when it deepens into a psychosis (something that effects a person from functioning on an every day level without their awareness of it doing so)
but to call free thinking a mental illness is crazy and mentaly ill in its self, i wonder if the folks that are pushing for this to be labled as such realises the irony of their thoughts and wishes
m

[xbusymom]

It might possibly mean a disorder where the patient, regardless of topic or circumstances, is oppositional. Whatever is expected or posed, the patient does the opposite and is deliberate and or aggressive about it. Sort of like a grown up two year old. Won't stop at red lights, drives the wrong way down one-way streets, won't wear clothes, argues just to be contrary. I don't think it's means that the patient is just unconventional in their thinking. More likely that the patient is contrary without regard to consequences to the extent that they can harm themselves or others.
Just a thought.

yes, exactly! my son - now almost 18- has ODD. And it is more than just preteen rebellion, he has been 'going against the grain ' since he was 2 years old. but this is not just a case of "the terrible twos +++", because this child of mine has exhibited oppositional behavior even though he can logically agree that what he ends up DOING/ DECIDING is not in his best interest... he can reason out the thinking process normally, and then the short circuit blows a fuse so that the behavior never matches the decision.

Or maybe that type of behavior is because of his other diag. of CONDUCT DISORDER - I don't know which...and I can't separate the two because i don't know what constitutes which diag.

[xbusymom]

Not surprised at this , as I told a friend of mine last yr. they will find new ways of medicated us.
Each generation will have a new dis-ease for them to diagnose by and medicate us with there killer dope.
I warned a lot of folks this would happen.

my son( #3)has not been on meds since the age of 10 when we found out that there are NO MEDS that will have any effect on the defiant behavior, just as there are no meds that are effective with Aspergers/PDD (son#1)... or Bi-polarism (son #2 and ex)

I think society will have to invent BEHAVIOR TOLERANCES for people with these kinds of neurological dysfunctions (brain damages/chemical imbalances). The combined toxicity of our food, water, air, cleaning agents, household items, clothing, personal care products, etc. is creating a situation where the EFFECTS of the body mechanics are screwed up due to chemical mutations that alter every aspect of emotions and thoughts AFFECTED BY the changed chemical formulas of the current physical reality. (boy that is a mouthful! - let me know if I need to clarify, cuz I am not sure I understand that myself... LOL)

Edit:found this video...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBN2Zjz4W-0&playnext=1&videos=bMt2lCp5fOA&feature=mfu_in_order

watch the entire playlist... I have put some interesting puzzle pieces together...

http://www.youtube.com/user/xbusymom?feature=mhsn#g/c/370212447D47C846