Mad in America

AUGUST 5, 2024

We consider the consequences of diagnosis as a form of social identity; of neurodivergence as a form of disability; and of self-diagnosis. Some of them self-identify as disabled, a category which—like neurodivergence itself—is extremely heterogenous. The consequences of ‘diagnosis as identity.’ Both outcomes are problematic.

Trauma and the brain 145

Trauma and the brain Genetics and mental health Self-awareness Personality disorders 145

Mad in America

JUNE 22, 2024

The result is a form of “marketing” that encourages self-diagnosis and the embrace of disorders as identity by watering down the definition of mental suffering—and, paradoxically, minimizing understanding and compassion for those who are truly struggling. I feel like a seventy-five-year-old being like, ‘ These kids on the internet!’

Sleep and mental health 141

Sleep and mental health Aging and mental health Self-awareness Childhood trauma 141

Mad in America

MARCH 21, 2024

Taking the two studies together, adverse events definitely predisposing to violence against self or others leading to discontinuation occurred in 11 versus 3 children. One of the strongest precursors for violence against self or others is akathisia. Forest’s internal documents showed that company staff were aware of the problems.

Manufacturing 145

Manufacturing Self-awareness Legal Personality disorders 145

Mad in America

JULY 12, 2024

I speculate now about withdrawal akathisia, extreme sleep deprivation, spiritual awakening, deep awareness, empathy and sensory experiencing, an invalidating environment, defensiveness, corruption and spiritual attack. In 2009 I had exited the workforce and entered psychiatry; something I have spoken and written about previously.

Hospitality 103

Hospitality Self-awareness Childhood trauma 103

Mad in America

DECEMBER 27, 2023

They believed in the Declaration of Independence, which held “these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” — otherwise known as the American dream.

Legal 138

Legal Self-awareness Education 138

Mad in America

MARCH 2, 2024

In 2009-2010, I had a very tough time. In 2009-2010, things did not go well for me due to a combination of extreme insomnia, a seriously diminished self-image, setbacks in all kinds of areas and the partial loss of my social safety net. Anniek: I had cleared six months of time to make sure I had time for optimal self-care.

Sleep and mental health 143

Sleep and mental health Self-awareness Neurotransmitters and mental health Resilience and coping 143

The Art of Healing Trauma

NOVEMBER 17, 2019

This short story about a train trip shows how the many symptoms of PTSD combine to have a devastating impact to one’s Sense of Self. Losing a large percent of memory of one’s past is the equivalent of losing a large percent of one’s Sense of Self, identity, personality, etc. April 2009 – I had Severe PTSD.

Trauma and the brain 52

Trauma and the brain Self-awareness Hospitality 52

Mad in America

JANUARY 9, 2025

And thanks to education and awareness-raising efforts, more people are getting help with their suffering. Raising awareness about depression, screening for it, and teaching that its common but underdiagnosed, at first glance seem like good things. So its particularly easy to get them to adopt an inferior self-image.

Healthcare 99

Healthcare Aging and mental health Self-awareness Bipolar disorder 99