MY WORK WITH EXTREME STATES OF MIND (SCHIZOPHRENIA, SCHIZOAFFECTIVE, BIPOLAR)

Recently, a young woman in college came to me for a consultation. She discussed experiencing the hearing of voices, and she felt that these voices were demonic and that she was possessed. She discussed that she had feelings of being judged and was often paranoid and fearful. The first reaction to those around her was to label her as 'strange and odd' and to want to suppress her experience, to make it all go away. She said she already felt alienated and now felt a stigma as those around her treated her as something other than human. It has been my argument that the language of those who are seriously distressed is metaphorical. In addition, though their statements and actions may be appear odd to others, these persons are speaking the truth. It is only necessary to decode what is being said. She was not literally possessed, but indeed her life had not been in her control, she felt many pressures to conform to a mold and never had an identity of her own, she also became 'possessed' for a time by the use of substances. When she said she was being judged, indeed she was, however she began to exaggerate certain experiences and apply them to all aspects of her life. She had been alienated, and sadly, her interactions with others only furthered her alienation. We discussed her existential crisis, how she finds meaning and purpose, and developing a support network. She is gradually embarking on a new future, and seeking to turn the tragic into something triumphant, to discover herself and what she can become in spite of the many traumas she experienced and shared. I am honored to journey with her.
In my text, JOURNEY THROUGH MADNESS, I commented, "
What is termed ‘madness’ or ‘mental illness’ is for some the only means for expression of their being lost and confused in a world which has caused them deep hurt and pain. Such is not disease but behavior with metaphorical meaning. There has been received through life mixed messages and placement into situations where regardless of the option they choose they felt damned. They seek to break out from the reality which has only caused them distress. The development of hallucinations and delusions are all metaphors for the very real demons they have encountered in disordered society.

The inner mind, the voice within us, becomes amplified, and becomes ‘possessed’ with the demons coming forward from the trauma and distress which has been encountered. Rebellion against the system of things becomes self-destructive as the person seeks to send a message to the world of their distress, but it remains unheard. Each coping mechanism that has been employed has often led to failure and not brought them out of the unlivable situation that is their life. However, the catharsis of this pain and grief can go in two directions- it can be misery and existential death, or it can be transformative.

Through the pain and struggle, through the breaking out of the ‘typical reality’ one can journey through various modes of altered consciousness. Many deemed ‘mad’ speak of the supernatural. They have sought every attempt to reach out and create meaning. If they can be helped by a loving, supportive network to navigate through this state of confusion and the various realms of altered consciousness towards rebuilding and reconstructing a life of meaning, then they can come forward to a recovery that gives them valuable insight about human nature and who they really are and the reality of the impermanence of this life and the world around us. They will find that suffering is an inevitable, and it that suffering is the state of the world which is mired in greed and attachment. The one deemed ‘mad’ for once has accomplished a rare task- they have completely detached. But this detachment is only from the typical standards of the world. They remain haunted by the visions of their previous life.

They cannot escape it, and thus they become anxious and paranoid that something or someone will pull them back to that painful existence. At times, rage comes forward as the reaction to challenges, but who would not be outraged if their voice was suppressed and they became the scapegoat for the problems of their families or those around them? Those deemed ‘mad’, feeling always alone, depart to a world where they remain alone from people, yet may create for themselves beings who give them comfort and solace. This is really the end of their search, to simply be accepted and loved. But here too lies a problem, for when their lives have been devoid of love and they receive unconditional love, it becomes like an overwhelming fire that consumes them. They have never been loved, so how can they respond to an outpouring of love?

When all they knew was that oppression and coercion was said to be because ‘we love you’, when ‘love’ really was only about control, how can the person then understand genuine love? Once again, the confusion sets in. To reach the person who has been deemed ‘mad’, we cannot overwhelm. Our sincerity will not be enough, for there trust has been shattered time and time again. It is only through entering their world for what it is, by joining in, and learning to speak the language, can we ourselves begin to understand the experience of these individuals. It is only by this joining in that the person may have the chance for their journey known as ‘madness’ to reach a transformative ending towards recovery.---

Alan was seen by most as an obstinate young man who had completed departed from any sense of reality. His hallucinations had earned him the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder not to mention he frequently displayed aggressive behavior. Reading the charts from before, it painted a monstrosity, but gave little detail to what Alan's experience might have been. When I first encountered Alan, I did not demand that he speak to me or that he not speak to me. I made no demands. I solely informed him that I was a supportive person who wanted to know him for who he is. This opened the door to intense dialogues. Together we explored questions about life that we both may have never thought much on before. The topics would drift to purpose, impermanence, suffering, the human condition. He related to me the pain of years of abuse, how he felt dehumanized and humiliated by the various people he thought would help him. He told me of his feelings of being alone, of being nothing. This feeling of nothing for him was an end at the time, but really it was the beginning. It was the door for him to question life, to question what he had been taught, to become. He related to me about his hallucinations, and his imaginary friends became mine as well. I asked about their habits, and their words. I noticed that these beings he saw were him at various points in time. As I met each of these beings, I learned something a bit more about the experience of Alan. Gradually as his emotional needs were met and he began to see himself once again as a singular person in the present moment of time and space, these beings began to depart. I saw in Alan the resilient human spirit and I will not forget him.



I was contacted on one occasion to conduct an assessment and consult with a family in regards to their son who was in his early twenties who had been involuntarily committed by his father to a state mental hospital. As I entered the facility, wondered how any in this place could not feel worthless, depressed, and mad. I entered to meet John. He appeared somewhat lethargic because of the cocktail of psychiatric drugs he was being given, but he greeted me warmly and with a smile. John began to immediately speak and told me how he was an African American infant who when he was around two years old was turned white. (John was quite pale in complexion). He then proceeded to tell me about the mind control he felt he was experiencing, that his freedom was taken away, he could no longer think for himself. I asked him who he felt was controlling his mind. His answer did not surprise me- it was his father. I later asked the mother if John's father was a racist and if John had been abused. The answer was yes to both; the father had been linked to racist organizations. The abuse began around the age of 2. It was clear that John had a powerful message, though surrounded in metaphor. To the person only wanting to categorize behavior and ignore experience, would they have known what John was seeking to communicate?

Aaron was a delightful 10 year old boy with a great sense of humor and alot of creativity and imagination. However, Aaron looked at himself as a 'bad kid'. His step-mother was filled with negativity towards him and his parents were embroiled in constant conflict. Aaron had been sexually abused when he was 3 years old. The memories of his trauma continued to haunt him. Aaron developed a challenge of encopresis that was occurring on a daily basis and it only furthered the negative relationship with his step-mother. After getting to know Aaron, I began to realize that he felt stifled and was often told to be quiet and was never allowed to really express himself. He told me that he felt he could not be himself and he was afraid to share any of his feelings, he did not feel safe and secure. I saw his encopresis as a reflection of the negative emotions he so deeply wished to share and it was no surprise for me to learn that this seemed to only occur in his home environment. I felt it was necessary for him to build a trusting relationship with someone, and sought to build him up and encourage his resiliency. Though our periods meeting together were short, I hoped that it would be a period of respite, a period where he could truly be himself and express himself without any fear of judgment. I believe Aaron will face many more challenges, but I remain hopeful that pointing him to an understanding of the roots of his distress and challenges, and giving him a spirit of overcoming, and with his own innate strengths, that he will be able to survive the violence so sadly inflicted upon him.

THERAPEUTIC SERVICES- NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

*AUTISM/ DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES SERVICES FOR NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA (SCRANTON/WILKES BARRE)- NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL AUTISM ACCEPTANCE PROJECT
Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania

http://autismacceptance.blogspot.com
http://www.DrDanEdmunds.com
http://www.humanepsychiatry.info
http://www.humanepsychiatry.com
http://www.Scrantoncounseling.com

-Existential Therapy
-Assistance with Extreme States of Mind (Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Bipolar)
-Drug Free Approaches to ADHD and Disruptive Behavior
-Family Mediation
-Forensic and Psycho-Social Assessments
-Relationship Based Approaches to Autism/Developmental Differences
-Assistance for Troubled and Distressed Children and Teens

QUOTATIONS BY DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS

"If we truly worked towards social justice, if we addressed the issues of racism, class inequality, poverty, and oppression in all its forms, then most assuredly, true mental health would arise."

"I have never purported that there is a means that can resolve the distress of every person, but I do know that every person deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. I also know that where this is lacking, we are not helping, but oppressing."

"I am aware that it is often difficult to change the difficult dynamics that impact many individuals, but I know that if I can create with them a place, even if but for a moment, where they feel safe, tranquil, and at peace with themselves, that in spite of the chaos and conflict circling them, much has been accomplished."

"Our goal as mental health professionals should be selfless and once again to define our work as restoring relationships and resolving conflicts. We must return dignity and respect for individual's experience and depart from biological determinism which defines all thoughts and feelings as chemical accidents. Children in distress need a voice. I seek to do my best to insure this voice. Psychiatric drugs never teach new skills. People do. It is time we invest once again, our time, our energy, and our hearts into the lives of our children. We must stop medicalizing experience and treating people in mechanical ways. For people to overcome distress, we must be genuine and journey with them."

"Because something can be scientifically validated does not mean it is ethical or good. One could validate many coercive practices. We must enter the realm where we realize that mental health is highly dependent upon our response to issues of social justice. Science must be linked with a strong sense of ethics and respect for the dignity and liberty of persons. Ethics must always proceed technology."

"We have the choice to look at the problems within the world and to bemoan our plight and to become complacent. We have the choice to become filled with rage and remain in our personal hells, to close ourselves off and allow our difficult experiences to become breakdown for us. Or we can decide to have a breakthrough. We can be courageous, we can actively transform ourselves, our worldview, and by this we can tranform that which is around us and our difficult experiences can be to our benefit and to the benefit of others."

"Psychiatrists have often completely misunderstood what the term recovery really means. It does not mean being a lifelong consumer of toxic psychiatric drugs. The psychiatric establishment's idea of recovery is based on suppression which lesds to oppression."

"Young people need a voice. Relationship is a powerful force for healing. Many of our young people are outraged by the injustices perpetrated upon them. Their despair becomes rage, and sadly, they move from victims to victimizing others. We must approach our young people with acceptance, and begin to realize what we can each change within ourselves, within our society, so that we can truly value and respect our young people again."

"What is termed ‘madness’ or ‘mental illness’ is for some the only means for expression of their being lost and confused in a world which has caused them deep hurt and pain. Such is not disease but behavior with metaphorical meaning. There has been received through life mixed messages and placement into situations where regardless of the option they choose they felt damned. They seek to break out from the reality which has only caused them distress."

"Life is our creation. We create it by our choices. In this ability to have choose, this is where we are gifted with freedom. But this freedom can be liberating or it can bring us to hell. Life is like a play or performance. At times, people's frame freezes and they become trapped in that singular moment. All that they define about life, about who they are returns to that singular point. We imprison ourselves by our thoughts, by our own choice."

"We live in a society where there must always be winners and losers, it impacts every aspect of how we conduct ourselves, in courts, in politics, in business. If only we can regain a sense of our common humanity, and be able to develop concern for others, even the most troubled."

"To find what is 'acceptable' is to find our humanity, to find our inner being, to find those links of experience which remain in spite of the social forces that cause us to sway this way and that, and for some tear at their core being and identity. When we are free, we can experience the other, when we are free, we can be ourselves. If we are free, we can reshape these social forces, and they will not be storms, but unifying forces helping us to recapture our sense of what it means to be human and to truly love again. How do we be free? Must be become 'mad' to be free? But are the 'mad' really free or have they been driven to this barren place? We can only be free once we have come to a state of unlearning, of unknowing, a rebirth where we are not bound by blame and shame and the darkness of past traumas or of ideas we have learned and carried forward because it is all we knew."

PRISONS, NOT PLACES OF TREATMENT, REST, AND SECURITY

When a person is placed in a mental 'hospital' or a young person is placed in a residential 'treatment' facility it is said to be that they are there to receive treatment. However, in these facilities a person earns privileges based on how they choose to behave, and particularly if they behave in conformity to the standards established by the staff of the institution. Now imagine if we are in a hospital and have a physical illness and the physician tells us, "oh, you are getting better, you did not cough as much today, so you may have this or that privilege." We would find this very odd. So, we should call these institutions for what theyn are- prisons, not places of treatment, not places of rest and security.


In my prior article HEARING OUR SERIOUSLY DISTRESSED ADOLESCENTS, I commented:
"Based on the viewpoints of biopsychiatry, adolescents who are medicated and placed in mental hospitals are labeled as improved when they conform to hospital demands or receive discharge. However, what is not examined is, how do the patients themselves actually feel? An estimated 180,000 to 300,000 young people a year are placed in private psychiatric facilities. These children and adolescents often feel powerless in these placements. But as mentioned above, it is the need for feelings of empowerment and hope that will lead to a genuine recovery from distress. Psychologist D.L. Rosenhan lead a study where "pseudopatients" had themselves admitted to psychiatric hospitals to experience them first hand and report on this experience. Rosenhan reported in an article appearing in the January 19, 1973 issue of Science, "Powerlessness was evident everywhere" He is shorn of credibility by virtue of his psychiatric label.

His freedom of movement is restricted. He cannot initiate contact with staff, but may only respond to overtures as they make. Personal privacy is minimal?? With children and adolescents it is easier to rationalize away their rights and control becomes more arbitrary and complete (Breggin, 1991). Psychiatrist Peter Breggin states that in such an environment it is hard for a child to resist feeling spiritually crushed, abandoned, and worthless under such conditions. With a less formed sense of self than an adult has, a child is less able to resist the shame attached to being diagnosed and labeled a "mental patient". Children may also find it much harder to conform to institutional life."

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.
www.DrDanEdmunds.com

QUOTES AND REFLECTIONS FROM DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS

If we truly worked towards social justice, if we addressed the issues of racism, class inequality, poverty, and oppression in all its forms, then most assuredly, true mental health would arise."

"I have never purported that there is a means that can resolve the distress of every person, but I do know that every person deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. I also know that where this is lacking, we are not helping, but oppressing."

"I am aware that it is often difficult to change the difficult dynamics that impact many individuals, but I know that if I can create with them a place, even if but for a moment, where they feel safe, tranquil, and at peace with themselves, that in spite of the chaos and conflict circling them, much has been accomplished."

"Our goal as mental health professionals should be selfless and once again to define our work as restoring relationships and resolving conflicts. We must return dignity and respect for individual's experience and depart from biological determinism which defines all thoughts and feelings as chemical accidents. Children in distress need a voice. I seek to do my best to insure this voice. Psychiatric drugs never teach new skills. People do. It is time we invest once again, our time, our energy, and our hearts into the lives of our children. We must stop medicalizing experience and treating people in mechanical ways. For people to overcome distress, we must be genuine and journey with them."

"Because something can be scientifically validated does not mean it is ethical or good. One could validate many coercive practices. We must enter the realm where we realize that mental health is highly dependent upon our response to issues of social justice. Science must be linked with a strong sense of ethics and respect for the dignity and liberty of persons. Ethics must always proceed technology."

"We have the choice to look at the problems within the world and to bemoan our plight and to become complacent. We have the choice to become filled with rage and remain in our personal hells, to close ourselves off and allow our difficult experiences to become breakdown for us. Or we can decide to have a breakthrough. We can be courageous, we can actively transform ourselves, our worldview, and by this we can tranform that which is around us and our difficult experiences can be to our benefit and to the benefit of others."

"Psychiatrists have often completely misunderstood what the term recovery really means. It does not mean being a lifelong consumer of toxic psychiatric drugs. The psychiatric establishment's idea of recovery is based on suppression which lesds to oppression."

"Young people need a voice. Relationship is a powerful force for healing. Many of our young people are outraged by the injustices perpetrated upon them. Their despair becomes rage, and sadly, they move from victims to victimizing others. We must approach our young people with acceptance, and begin to realize what we can each change within ourselves, within our society, so that we can truly value and respect our young people again."

"What is termed ‘madness’ or ‘mental illness’ is for some the only means for expression of their being lost and confused in a world which has caused them deep hurt and pain. Such is not disease but behavior with metaphorical meaning. There has been received through life mixed messages and placement into situations where regardless of the option they choose they felt damned. They seek to break out from the reality which has only caused them distress."

"Life is our creation. We create it by our choices. In this ability to have choose, this is where we are gifted with freedom. But this freedom can be liberating or it can bring us to hell. Life is like a play or performance. At times, people's frame freezes and they become trapped in that singular moment. All that they define about life, about who they are returns to that singular point. We imprison ourselves by our thoughts, by our own choice."

"We live in a society where there must always be winners and losers, it impacts every aspect of how we conduct ourselves, in courts, in politics, in business. If only we can regain a sense of our common humanity, and be able to develop concern for others, even the most troubled."

"To find what is 'acceptable' is to find our humanity, to find our inner being, to find those links of experience which remain in spite of the social forces that cause us to sway this way and that, and for some tear at their core being and identity. When we are free, we can experience the other, when we are free, we can be ourselves. If we are free, we can reshape these social forces, and they will not be storms, but unifying forces helping us to recapture our sense of what it means to be human and to truly love again. How do we be free? Must be become 'mad' to be free? But are the 'mad' really free or have they been driven to this barren place? We can only be free once we have come to a state of unlearning, of unknowing, a rebirth where we are not bound by blame and shame and the darkness of past traumas or of ideas we have learned and carried forward because it is all we knew."

POETIC REFLECTION BY DR. D.L. EDMUNDS,ED.D.- "IF I OPENED THE DOOR TO PARADISE..."

If I opened the door to Paradise, would you choose to remain in Hell? If I gave you my heart, would you notice? Can you respond to that you never knew or had? Surrounded by the demons, yet truly alone. You recognize not your friends. Engulfed in delusions, seeking pleasure in that which but leads to more suffering. How I sought to change the wretched mind. A deafening silence, but then an echo, a constant echo. Are you too far away to hear it? Your hurt is now the hurt of others. You inflict your pain on many. Covered in stinking filfth, they say you are foul. Yet I saw what was within. I saw what was possible. You glorify the one who hurt you. You have indeed become him. A sick cycle. The wheel must be broken. Who are you? What do you see? A mirage. A false image, not you, but that which the demons say you must be to join their legion. You think they laugh and revel with you, they laugh at you, they scorn you. And now in the darkness, they flee, leaving you truly alone. If I open the door to Paradise to you now, will you choose to remain in Hell

LISTEN

All I ask is to be heard.
Yet when I look at you, you turn away.
You do not have time for me. Your world created my pain, and when I seek to share a glimmer of my experience, you look at me with revulsion.
Staring at the watch, pretending to listen, but really distant. And some of you seek to mock me further. Is it not the wish of us all simply to be heard? And because there is no one to listen, no one to understand, I retreat into myself, and I find my own to listen.


-Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.,B.C.S.A.
International Center for Humane Psychiatry
www.DrDanEdmunds.com

THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT BELONG IN AFGHANISTAN

In my book, ROOTS OF DISTRESS, I commented-
"We are controlled in this country by a ruling elite, whether we wish to recognize it or not. The elite have their paths paved for them. The middle class struggle to survive and are burdened and the elite seek to make them slaves to the system. For example, a middle class young person will be burdened with student loan debt possibly until the day they retire, the elite do not face this. The elite have created this system to keep people 'in their place'. For the poor, the elite have sought to entice them with financial incentives if they will go along with the sad debacle of having their children labeled as 'crazy' or to be shipped off to fight the wars that the elite have created and benefit from."

Afghanistan is a prime example of a war fought for no apparent reason other than for interests that are not that of the American citzenry. We have no place in this conflict. It is actually the US governments imperialistic desires and agitation of other societies (particularly Islamic society) that creates further risk of terrorism. When we see that people are oppressed and have no voice, it is then that they at times sadly resort to drastic and often tragic measures to make their point to those who they feel have oppressed them. As Chomsky has clearly statedm, our best role to end terrorism is to stop participating in it.

-Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.
www.DrDanEdmunds.com