Is Free Thinking A Mental Illness?

I was pointed to this article, and truth be told, I am quite offended. Obviously all of us would say that the answer to this question is a very loud NO, but the "experts" have a different opinion:

❝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.❞

So, putting aside the fact that this recent inclusion on the DSM-IV, tacitly makes us all free thinkers, by definition, mentally ill, how is this going to affect us legally?

Is it going to be a criteria on a trial? What about kids custody and stuff like that?

I find this really unfair, religious people are downright schizophrenic, but they have god(s), then they are alright?

This is outrageous. Please somebody tell me that this is a joke. *facepalm*

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Comment by Jon Heim on October 25, 2010 at 11:28pm: ....this isn't even credible. There is a difference from being true to you're self and being against everything that is mainstream.

since when is above-average creativity a bad thing? without above average creativity, we wouldn't be making anything new in the world!

as far as arrogance, narcissism, disobedient, hostile, defiant, questioning authority, negativity, argumentativeness, cynicism, easily annoyed and antisocial...

I am not arrogant. I'm not carcissist.(which by the way is the reason people are arrogant) I'm not disobedient unless I am being told to do something that goes against my morals and values. I'm not hostile, I'm only defiant when dishonorable people try to command me to do something. I Question authority because any person can let power go to their head. I'm not usually negative about things. I'm argumentative when people make ignorant statements. I'm not very cynical. I am easily annoyed because people seem to misunderstand basic logical thinking. and last but not least, I AM antisocial because the world seems to think that there is something wrong with my beliefs.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 25, 2010 at 11:29pm: * I am not narcissistic.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 25, 2010 at 11:35pm: Sometimes I wish I had a shrink just to see just how a professional might perceive my personality.

I'm already on medication for anxiety and depression. I live in a household where my very being goes against their beliefs. I have money problems, my dad is dying and I have a hard time making friends because I was such a loser in school!

No wonder you would think there is something wrong with me!!!

ok, im done ranting now.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 25, 2010 at 11:39pm: One more quick thing because this really bothers me..then I promise I'll stop commenting lol :

all of these PERSONALITY TRAITS...which is what they are, are caused by reacting to experiences in you're life. apparently these "professionals" don't know enough about cause and effect when it comes to psychology.

Comment by Cara Coleen on October 25, 2010 at 11:51pm: This is way beyond offensive... it's actually rather terrifying. John, you shouldn't be trying to excuse yourself; these traits are something to be proud of and it's horrifying they're even under the microscope. These traits are what makes the world go 'round. I have to click on the link here, but I'm completely aghast here. What credible "experts" would even make such a claim? Aren't they, by definition, also afflicted with this alleged disease?

I take this about as seriously as I take PMD (pre menstrual disorder). They just keep coming up with new "disorders" and soon we'll all be medicated drones.

Comment by Monica Salcedo (Monicks) on October 25, 2010 at 11:57pm: Don't ever stop commenting, Jon. That's the whole purpose of posting these discussions.

I am sorry to hear that your dad is dying. I know that nothing that I could say to you is gonna make you feel better, but at least, there is a comforting thought about an announced death.

When your loved is on "death watch" (for lack of a better word,) they have the privilege to receive all the love and affection and quality time from friends and relatives, that otherwise nobody cares to give them. This is a very special situation and when everything is over and done, what you have left, aside the pain of losing a loved one, is the satisfaction of having been specially good to that person, and having spent a great deal of quality time with them.

Hope this makes you see this sad moment you're going through in a different light.

We are mentally ill, who cares? I rather be crazily aware of reality, than sanely deluded, which is in itself, a huge contradiction.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 26, 2010 at 12:09am: I regret growing apart from my dad. We are so different, and I feel like he is one of the people in my life that judges me the most. of course, it bothers me, because no one wants to feel like a disappointment to their father.

On a better note, there is time to change my attitude toward the situation.

Cara:...I know I have no idea what being a women is like, but I sort of always thought that PMD happened because of changing levels of hormones. Am I wrong?

Comment by Keith Johnston on October 26, 2010 at 12:12am: Basically this under the wire Patriot act. If you question the government they can now lock you up as insane.

The USA and Europe are now worse than the USSR ever was. You people really need to either leave or rebel.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 26, 2010 at 12:14am: Also, since I am on medication for depression and anxiety, I feel a little guilty about medicating myself up. I mean..I understand serotonin imbalances in the brain, but what if it's all hype? Sometimes I think that I'm dependent on my medication, because when I miss more then one dosage, I feel very anxious. Almost like it's worse then if I never took anything to start with.

I definitely think that our culture medicates for way to many things..but, I also beleive in the progress of medical science.

Comment by Jon Heim on October 26, 2010 at 12:19am: Keith...were gonna need backup man. lol

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