Letter Never Sent

I came across an interesting article in my daily survey of the internet on a website about Bipolar disorder and depression, Taking it Personally. I’ve trimmed it up a little but you can read the whole thing by using that link:

It started out as whim, but turned into an eye-opener. In May 2003, I asked my Newsletter readers to take an online Myers-Briggs personality test and email the results, along with their diagnosis. Although this was strictly a readers’ poll and not a scientific study, and bearing in mind the risks inherent in pigeonholing personalities, the findings were striking enough to indicate I might be on to something. …

Approximately 150 responses were received, and of these the first 100 were analyzed (a nice even number for this maths-challenged individual). Most readers also sent in their diagnosis, nearly all depressive or bipolar. Since most people with bipolar are depressed more than manic, it is safe to conclude that this poll was dealing with a mostly-depressed population, without further breaking down the figures. Approximately three-quarters of the respondents were women, which about matched the Newsletter’s readership. …

The first eye-popping result was 83 percent of those who replied were introverts, which sharply contrasts with the 25 percent to be found in the general population. According to one reader, who had a strong extrovert score four years ago and a much weaker one when responding to this poll: “Over the last four years I’ve sunk into a very isolated existence. The mania has worsened despite changes in medication/dosages and I spend most of my time sleeping and avoiding large social functions. I do slightly better in small social gatherings, but up until just a couple of months ago I didn’t go anywhere or see anyone other than my immediate family within our house.” …

Continue reading →

I was listening to something this morning on NPR when I was on the way to the doctor about compulsive hoarders. The thing that stuck out to me was that most compulsive hoarders are stricken by two or three different qualities which seem to promote compulsive hoarding. Namely, a notable lack of motivation, a reluctance or inability to make decisions or a lack of decisiveness, and the lack of social intercourse.

I often think about the relationship between social influences and the individual especially since I remember reading once about how insanity and lack of social activity seem to go hand and hand. Either the insanity causing social discomfort and anxiety or the lack of social stimulation promoting neurotic thinking and extreme self-consciousness.

Anyway, why the lack of motivation? Compulsive hoarders tend to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of maintaining order and therefore psyche themselves out, ignoring the growing clutter and mess. That feeling of not knowing where to start and feeling overwhelmed effectively saps any motivation. Those feelings demotivate.

The lack of decisiveness is similarly logical as decision-making is a mode of thought requiring action. The act of making a decision is a thought, but not just a thought. It is a thought and a committment to action. Decision-making is action. Since compulsive hoarding is not based on conscious decision-making but on the shadowy compulsion of ignoring action or responsibility it makes sense.

So, where does the social aspect of things come in. It seems to me that if you have a person who is in general indecisive and demotivated they may remain removed from other people to a certain degree. Also, if someone is socially active they increase their chances of being affected and coerced by others into maintaining order. Anyway, I’m just thinking out loud. I still need to think about this aspect of things. It is definitely interesting stuff.