Posted by Elizabeth on January 30, 2000, at 8:46:36
In reply to Re: P.S. -- Mea Culpa on the way to bed..., posted by Noa on January 30, 2000, at 8:10:00
Of course it's related to being off ADs. DJ, I'm sorry to see you go too because I feel you have a lot to offer. You say you feel better, but I can't imagine that you would feel better having such powerful reactions to interpersonal conflict. Isn't that overwhelming for you? (Feel free to write to me if you'd like. Currently shapere@aol.com, should remain so for at least another month.)
I think too little attention is paid in clinical practice to irritability as a symptom of emotional illness. I think that pathological irritability is probably distinct from both depression and bipolar disorder, though it can occur in conjunction with both as well as with other conditions (anxiety and personality disorders, schizophrenia). (As such, it's hard to treat: sometimes ADs are the solution, other times AEDs, lithium, benzos, antipsychotics, stimulants, ....)
There seems to be a tendency to blame the patient for being irritable rather than trying to help him or her (of course, it's hard to help someone who seems not to want to be helped, but many patients do display insight and realize that their irritability is extreme and problematic).
That said, I think DJ has something to be angry about, and it's the way that he (she?) is expressing it that is of concern, not the content of the anger. As an atheist, I'm constantly offended and insulted by "Christians" and others trying to ram their irrational "faith" down my throat or make condescending remarks that I am evil and going to hell. Atheists don't harrass people about their beliefs, they don't start wars, they don't engage in "ethnic cleansing" and the like, etc., so this seems like rank hypocrisy not to mention plain old rudeness.
It seems to me that those who foster religious beliefs owe me and other non-"spiritual" folks at least the courtesy of treating us as though our beliefs (*not* "faith") are not somehow inferior to theirs. This means, among other things, that I don't *want* you to pray for my "soul" - that's condescending. You may recall how disgusted and horrified non-Christians were (some Christians were too, in fact) when the Southern Baptist Convention urged members to pray for their souls. Same principle. It's your hubris that causes you to presume that you have the power to "save" others.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:19818
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/20077.html