Is Free Thinking a Mental Illness?

[RandomGuyOnCouch]

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/10/0 ... l-illness/

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.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't wish "above-average creativity" on anyone.

[Robert_S]

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.

that's me and everyone I spend time with under the age of 70.

[hadespussercats]

Hell, what can't we pathologize? And what, exactly, is a normal level of creativity?

[.Morticia.]

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/10/0 ... l-illness/

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.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't wish "above-average creativity" on anyone.

Those aren't mental illnesses/diseases. They are disorders/traits that significantly impact on the ability to have functional relationships, make good life choices and happiness.

The creativity one is thrown in there because people with very high self esteem are not afraid to express themselves. iow, normal people in all probably are just as creative, they don't express it.

[Warren Dew]

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.

that's me and everyone I spend time with under the age of 70.

It's what used to be called "above average IQ", before the term "IQ" got banned.

[RandomGuyOnCouch]

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/10/0 ... l-illness/

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.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't wish "above-average creativity" on anyone.

Those aren't mental illnesses/diseases. They are disorders/traits that significantly impact on the ability to have functional relationships, make good life choices and happiness.

The creativity one is thrown in there because people with very high self esteem are not afraid to express themselves. iow, normal people in all probably are just as creative, they don't express it.

Yes, it is a little misleading that the article calls those diseases when it means that they are symptoms used to characterize ODD. The symptoms, however, like so many newer psychological disorders, fit far too broad a spectrum. This doesn't mean that it's not a real thing, just that it's not a particularly useful thing.

In the States, at least, too, there has been and still is a huge push to ensure high self-esteem among kids of all abilities and talents, so why the sudden push back against the trend? Granted, it's not a philosophy I feel should be especially indulged, but I'm not in charge of educating many kids, either. Best case scenario, it is a psychological problem created by the soft, "progressive" psychological philosophies being shoved down the throats of parents and educators (much like how ADD was suddenly on the rise when spanking went out of fashion ... not the only contributor I can identify, but certainly not a minor one).

I am also curious what standards you are judging "functional relationships," "good life choices," and "happiness" on.

[charlou]

Just more value laden, trying to put everyone into neat little boxes, labeling shite. Hofuckinghum.

[charlou]

^ That's to the topic in general, not anyone's comments on it here.

[normal]

Ah, the DSM. It's been developing for some time, and it's still being developed. Patience, patients.