The Movie "Into The Wild" A Study of Schizophrenia?

Into The Wild is the true story of Christopher McCandless - a twenty two year old man, who decided to leave everything and everyone behind to travel across the United States to live in the Alaskan wilderness.

Many saw his story as an idealistic journey but I wondered if something more was going on. I wondered if some of his behaviors were similar to individuals experiencing Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia frequently surfaces in late adolescence, often making its impact in college age individuals. It is an illness that distorts the ability to think clearly, and is often accompanied by hallucinations &/or delusions, among other symptoms. Schizophrenia is generally stereotyped. Versions of maniacal people cringing in paranoia or hiding in shadows are never accurate depictions. I couldn't help but wonder if Christopher McCandless was experiencing Schizophrenia or something along those lines, and not an unbridled zest for an unencumbered life.

If you saw the movie or read the book , tell me what you think.

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Herschel Walker and Dissociative Identity Disorder

US Football star, Herschel Walker, has written a book about his lifelong experience with Dissociative Identity Disorder .

Dissociative Identity Disorder - formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder - occurs in childhood. However, most cases aren't diagnosed until a person reaches adulthood. Be it abuse in the form of physical, emotional, sexual, or a combination therein, DID can develop to cope with trauma. There are no precise numbers on how many people experience DID. Many who have the disorder don't seek treatment for fear that they will not be believed. But Stanford University psychiatrist Dr. David Spiegel - who has been studying this disorder for over three decades - estimates that DID affects about 1 percent of the population.


In his book, Walker talks about coming to terms with his DID diagnosis, hopes to educate others about the disorder and address skepticism and stigma. Walker is a sports legend, holding many records, but feels that his greatest achievement will be "to tell the world about my truth".



Wow.



~ Trigger alert: Comments expressed offer differing opinions about DID ~

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"Positive Direction": May The Force Be With You

Remember this scene from Star Wars ?

Stormtrooper: Let me see your identification.

Obi-Wan: (influencing the stormtrooper's mind) You don't need to see his identification.

Stormtrooper: We don't need to see his identification.

Obi-Wan: These aren't the droids you're looking for.

Stormtrooper: These aren't the droids we're looking for.

Obi-Wan: He can go about his business.

Stormtrooper: You can go about your business.

Obi-Wan: Move along

Stormtrooper: Move along. Move Along.


This bit of dialogue showing how "The Force" works is similar to the communication tool known as Positive Direction.

Positive Direction is a style of communication that works toward making positive behaviors happen. Don't and Stop are negative words that often fail to register as we think. Instead, it is human nature to register the words that come after the dont's and the stop's.

When you use Positive Direction, you give the person with whom you are communication a positive image to attain. There's likely to be more cooperation. Hopefully less rebellion. And if so, then everyone feels good.



Instead of: Don't throw your coat on the floor!
Try: Hang you coat up.

Instead of: Stop interrupting me when I'm on the phone.
Try: Wait and I'll talk to you later.

Instead of: Don't be so loud!
Try: Talk in a quiet voice.

Instead of: No, you can't go out with your friends, you have homework to do!
Try: Yes, you can see your friends when you finish your homework.


Positive Direction takes some practice, but it could be worth the time and energy.


Now, move along....

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The Hidden Tiger

Take a look at the picture below, and see if you can found out why this illusion is called "The Hidden Tiger".












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At-Home DNA Test For Bipolar Disorder

Psynomics , the first company to offer diagnostic testing for mental illness, is causing a stir in the health field. They offer two genetic tests to diagnose Bipolar Disorder on its website, along with descriptions, references and instructions for individuals and doctors.

Once ordered, a "spit kit" arrives at one's home or doctor's office. From there, the procedure is simple. Spit, seal and send. Psynomics will analyze the DNA and forward test results and a report. For more on the process, read here .

There are some limitations, specifically that the genetic test is valid only if you experience the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and are Caucasian with Northern European ancestry.

Some health experts worry that such genetic tests are built on thin data and may be preying on a person's deepest anxieties. While others feel it is an exciting step into a new world. A world where technology and genetic helps to make diagnosis easier.

I'm excited by the possibilities.

How about you?

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Phobot: The Phobic Robot

Phobot - a robot created by students from the University of Amsterdam - won top honors at an international conference on Human-Robot Interaction .

Phobot was created to help children deal with phobias. It is programmed to be specifically frightened of other robots. It displays fear, anxiety and avoidance when it is initially confronted by another robot. But as the Phobot moves through a psychological-behavioral program of being exposed to little robots to bigger and bigger ones, it overcomes its fears.

So clever.

For more on this, read here

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Psychoanalysis in HBO Series "In Treatment"

Home Box Office has been running an interesting series called In Treatment

In my opinion, it's a wonderful snapshot of modern psychoanalysis.

Irish actor, Gabriel Byrne , plays psychoanalyst Dr. Paul Weston. The series revolves around the sessions of five of his patients and his personal life. Each patient is seen a different day of the week - and the show is cleverly aired on the "day" of their sessions.

As a viewer, you get to experience the nuances of modern psychoanalysis. The unconscious, transference, counter-transference and interpretations, just to name a few. I hope this series opens the door to many who are curious about this form of psychotherapy. It's a really well-done gem.

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