Dethroning The Self-made Man
photo from http://www.manhusbanddad.com/vocation/man/twelve-righteous-virtues/
and one of his pastors about struggles in this culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W52-H5-6qW8
THE SELF SYSTEM
Modern attempts to understand human behavior are labeled Psychology, and Psychiatry. These disciplines were founded at the turn of the last century and continue to be structured after the models of practice used by their founders.
Views in Psychology and Psychiatry are more fluid than those in most of the scientific or medical disciplines. Preferred views and practices have freely flowed with changing social values, emerging ethical dilemmas and preferred hypothesis and theory, as have interpretations of observation and research findings.
Medications have played a major role for treatment in modern Psychiatric conditions. During a psychotic episode, where the ability to distinguish reality is lost due to faulty processing of thoughts and emotions antipsychotic medications are by far, the fastest working and most effective short term treatment.
Some Questions about Psychiatric Meds
What do antipsychotic med do?
Are they drugs that people abuse?
Are they a crutch for weakness of character?
Are they a replacement for
dependence on God?
Doesn't the Bible teach against this
when it talks about
(pharmakeia,) in Rev 9:21.
Where it says:
"They used drugs for doing sorcery
and witchcraft."
Could these medications be a form of
witchcraft or sorcery?
Answer:
This word is found in three texts. In each you will see a list of lawless, (disinhibited) acts, i.e., murders, sorceries, fornications and thefts.
Considering that drugs and alcohol use are key disinhibiting factors leading to these acts it is clear that getting people high,(disinhibited) to do lawless spiritual acts, (witchcraft and sorceries), or lawless physical acts like, (murders, fornications and thefts), is what is being condemned along with their unrepentant attitudes.
I am very certain that, "pharmakeia," does not refer to antipsychotic meds because Antipsychotics meds do exactly the opposite.
Antipsychotics make people less high and less disinhibited. They are exactly the opposite of intoxicants because they reduce Dopamine and Norepinephrine activity in the brain by reducing our sensitivity them.
When triggered by alcohol or drug use Dopamine disinhibits us and makes us feel, "high," as it stimulates pathways that bypass our higher, more cautious ways of thinking. This relaxing of the deeper processing can feel exciting. It can falsely change the boring to the exciting, funny to hilarious and even general feelings of attraction to irrational acts of intense sexual compulsion. It can change anger to rage, fear to terror and general suspicion into paranoia or acts of false honor or revenge as in gang related attacks.
Dopamine is what stimulates the brain to over process what seems intensely important in all people and it is what activates faulty processing in people that are pone to delusions or hallucinations.
Since the Dopamine neural pathway is shared by the fight or flight adrenaline-survival response system, the beliefs responses and emotions experienced in this area of our thinking are a very high priority and cannot be easily dismissed even if they appear completely illogical. It is experienced as though our very survival depends on our continued attention to these intense thoughts or mental experiences, often described as hallucinations.
As our bodies return to a normal state if we are not experiencing a mental illness, these beliefs and emotions and or hallucinations will dissipate. If we are prone to psychosis due to conditions like (Schizophrenia or Schizo-affective disorder), our innate over sensitivity to these natural chemicals residing on our adrenaline neural-pathway, we may need to continue to take antipsychotics even at normal stress levels. If we stop them completely, symptoms of psychosis will usually return. Perhaps not immediately, but when we become sufficiently stressed, they usually will return.
Triggering Stresses May Include the Following:
Being overwhelmed with a startling or frightening situation.
Being overwhelmed with a loss or damage of an important relationship.
Being overwhelmed with having to adapt to constant, rapid change.
Being overwhelmed with worries about your finances or future.
Being overwhelmed with major life event, such as changing jobs or moving to a new home, getting married, the birth of a child.
Being overwhelmed by juggling many roles and responsibilities.
Going from one stressful situation to the next without taking time to relax.
Being overwhelmed by the technology designed to help us. Keeping up with our cell phone messages, e-mails, and text messages, blended families....
Get Prompt Medical Attention if any of the following happen
• Feeling like your symptoms are of a known PTSD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective condition are getting worse (increased hallucinations, or agitation, especially to harm self or others)
• Unable to eat or sleep or care for yourself for more than 48 hours
• Feeling out of control like you want to harm yourself or another person
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can have many of the same signs and symptoms listed above. If you or a loved one, or you are experiencing any of these symptoms seek help and support for the sake of yourself and those that feel close to you or even just do it for Anthony and Stephanie and their children sake.....
see their stroy at...
What about Bipolar disorder?
Bipolar is described as an illness because of the Very Strong, Uncontrollable Changes in Mood, Energy Levels, Confidence Levels and sometimes Psychotic thoughts and actions.
In a Manic Episode, it's All Gas Pedal and no Brakes.
Life is amazing! You think fast and very confidently. But you quickly become impatient and irritated with others and have lots energy to do a myriad of things very quickly (and most often very poorly). You have Unquestioning Confidence and Endless Energy, Amazing Ideas and Motivations and Energy to pursue all kinds of loosely connected interests.
AND.... Your life becomes
DISORGANIZED, CHAOTIC
and DISINHIBITED
compared to your balanced self.
There may be unusual spending sprees, sexual acting-out, drug use, conflicts and rage or even violence against yourself or strangers. Sometimes there is no interest in food or sleeping for many days at a time.
Your speech becomes rapid and difficult for others to understand as you jump from one thought stream to another. You eventually exhaust the people around you and become separated from them by the intensity of your Amazing thoughts and feelings.
In a Depressive Episode
it's All Brakes
and No Gas Pedal.
Life? What life? You lack interest, confidence and energy. There is no such thing as a good idea. You feel depressed and worthless, slow tired and hopeless. You may have thoughts of self harm and suicide and often become isolated and withdrawn by the intensity of your own thoughts and feelings.
Between phases life is good, but that is what makes this condition easy to ignore. When you are finally able to deal with the problem, it's gone.
People with this condition will usually have to treat it all of their life. Medication and good care can greatly reduce the symptoms. Do not change medication without your Dr's instructions. Do not Isolate. Stay connected to friends and family. Seek out a support group to talk about your struggles, thoughts and feelings.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org (phone 800-950-6264). has information as to where you can see a Dr. and where you can find a support group. Celebrate Recovery at many churches also can provide a support group base to increase personal responsibility.
The exact cause of Bipolar is unknown, but it is usually treated with either a buffer salt like, "Lithium," to modify nerve reaction potential or a variety of anti-seizure medications.
The purpose of these meds are to calm the overactive functional part of the brain, either, what I call, The Thought Originator, "Gas Pedal," or the, Thought Checker, " Brake." These meds help to allow these parts of our being to work in better balance.
There are genetic markers for Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Schizo-affective disorder in families and the use of depressants like marijuana and alcohol, or stimulants like Meth, or other amphetamines and cocaine, as well as hallucinogens like LSD, etc. increase it's likelihood of occurrence.
Get Prompt Medical Attention if any of the following happen to you:
There are genetic markers for Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Schizo-affective disorder in families and the use of depressants like marijuana and alcohol, or stimulants like Meth, or other amphetamines and cocaine, as well as hallucinogens like LSD, etc. increase it's likelihood of occurrence.
Get Prompt Medical Attention if any of the following happen to you:
• Feeling like your symptoms are of a known Bipolar condition are getting worse (depression, agitation, excess energy)
• Unable to eat or sleep for more than 48 hours
photo from http://ibpf.org/blog/psychosis
Medications are also used to reduce the intensity and severity of many emotional conditions. In these cases, medication alone, without attempts to address and alter self-defeating thought and behavior patterns can only provide limited improvement at best.
Modern Psychology:
A Science led by a Philosophy
As a science, Psychology is established squarely on the principles espoused in the tenants of Humanism as describe in Manifestos I, II and III.
It views humankind as a collection of autonomous beings that are influenced by their fellow persons and interdependent on them, but not necessarily responsible to them in a truly moral sense. Modern Psychology adamantly denies any responsibility to a higher being, or power, or Creator per se, allowing instead for each individual to hold their own views autonomously.
In this way each person functions as ultimate authority and judge as to what is right and acceptable to them. Problems as presented from the psychological viewpoint do not have a moral aspect to them. The goal of treatment does not include the development of charter, but the resolution of conflict and finding personal comfort.
In psychology, a problems only becomes a problem if it interferes with a person’s ability to get their needs met. Since it is a basic human need to be accepted socially, crime, social wrongdoing, and abhorrent behavior becomes a problem because of the consequences to self and others that they create, and not for any intrinsically moral reason.
In a sense, until significant negative consequences occur, or a habit gets, "too far," out of control, no problem exists. Not surprisingly, effort to conceal or minimize far exceed efforts toward improvement or change in attitude or behaviors and social accommodation of deviance is often the expected solution.
Since persons are thought to be autonomous beings, self-actualization, or as the Army puts it in their slogan, “Be all that you can be,” has become our new purpose for existence. It follows that valuing oneself highly enough to attain your goals, or, having “High Self-esteem,” is viewed as the key ingredient for success, and “Low Self-Esteem,” a sure prescription for a crippled existence as a failed human being.
Since the freedom for personal autonomy and individuality is presented as the new foundation for all civil rights, we are cautioned or even condemned and punished if we make traditional judgments or seem to be be critical of others and their quest for seemingly voluntary suffering.
Today variations in ethical behavior and morality, are applauded and encouraged giving rise to “special rights and privileges for some, “ while the troubling and confusing effects and costs of these behaviors are generally ignored.
We are told that we are inherently free to independently, ”live our own lives; on our own terms.” That we should find the courage to, “break loose and do our own thing.”
That we should do it boldly on display for all the world to see!
Consequently personal accountability has diminished and primary connections and attachments have moved from those of the nuclear family to “communities of choice,“ that hold values similar to our own.
Subsequent to this change in thinking, the younger generation and the merchandisers who influence them have taken the lead in setting new social norms.
Our new standard. To, “not care," especially about norms, is the motto of many of our youth, and it is displayed in all areas of life.
Low Self-esteem is rampant and most people complain of feeling alienated and disconnected. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people under the age of twenty-five, and Loneliness the number one emotion leading to the act.
Unfortunately our dream of living an autonomous life, and, “being all that you can be,” or, “doing your own thing,” without regard for your created purpose can lead to a very lonely and painful existence.
THE RUT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION ALONE
Modern Psychology describes the mind, will, and emotions of a person as,
THE SELF SYSTEM.
It is described as a dynamic system that is capable of making adjustments to find a balanced state. This Self System functions to maintain a sense of stability through, “healthy adjustments.” These adjustments are usually motivated by attempts to seek or maintain comfort and avoid pain or difficulty.
Unfortunately, it is usually the path most familiar, or that of least effort or seeming resistance. It rarely is directed toward optimal functioning.
The self system can both under adjust and be overwhelmed,
it can
over adjust and malfunction
through peculiar attempts to increase a sense of control
called, “Protection, or Defense Mechanisms.”
Chaos is the scientific term used to describe the random disorder, or disorganization that can occur as organized systems malfunction under stress.
ORDERED FUNCTIONING SYSTEM
(the self system)
+ STRESS of an
( intensity or duration to cause maladjustments)
= GREATER
(dysfunction, disorder, confusion, and pain)
Generally speaking, the goal in psychological intervention is to restore a functional sense of balance, thus reducing the degree of chaos, and improving functional ability.
This approach places total dependence on the patient’s Self System to find it’s own level of balance.
Unfortunately, avoidance of pain, or the discomfort of conflict, may be the only level of balance the client is willing to achieve. In this case they are left teetering between the pain of personal growth, and pain brought on by the consequences of their lack of growth.
This avoidance of discomfort can foster a chronic state of poor functioning; with change only occurring when sufficient crisis spurns us on to overcome the discomforts of greater personal growth.
Following is a list of various, “defense, or protections mechanisms.” It is not necessary to study them all. I included them for illustration purposes. Many have their place and can be helpful at the appropriate time.
When Defense Mechanisms are overused they amplify and extend the pain and suffering we experience, and increase the dysfunction we display and inflict on those around us.
SOME COMMON DEFENSE MECHANISMS
Compartmentalization: Separation of two incompatible aspects of the psyche from each other to maintain psychological comfort; behavioral manifestations show the inconsistency.
Example: The person who attends church regularly and is overtly religious conducts a business that includes handling stolen goods.
Compensation: Overachievement in one area to offset deficiencies, real or imagined, or to overcome failure or frustration in another area.
Example: The student who makes poor grades devotes much time and energy to succeed in music or sports.
Condensation Reacting: to a single idea with all of the emotions associated with a group of ideas; expressing a complex group of ideas with a single word or phrase.
Example: The person says the word "disturbed" as a shorthand expression for many types of mental illness and for feelings of fear and shame.
Conversion: Unconscious conflicts are disguised and expressed symbolically by physical symptoms involving portions of the body, especially the five senses and motor areas. Symptoms are frequently not related to innervations by sensory or motor nerves.
Example: The person is under great pressure on the job; awakes at 6 A.M. and is unable to walk but is unconcerned about the symptom.
Denial: Failure to recognize an unacceptable impulse or undesirable, but obvious thought, fact, behavior, conflict, or situation, or its consequences or implications.
Example: The alcoholic person believes that he/she has no problem with drinking even though family and work colleagues observe the classic signs repeatedly.
Displacement: Release or redirection of feelings and impulses upon a safe object or person as a substitute for that which aroused the feeling.
Example: The person punches a punching bag after an argument with the boss.
Dissociation: Repression or splitting off from awareness of a portion of a personality or of consciousness. However, the repressed material continues to affect behavior. (compartmentalization).
Example: A client discusses a conflict-laden subject and goes into a trance.
Identification: Similar to and the result of introjection. Unconscious modeling of another person so that basic values, attitudes, and behavior are similar to those of a significant person or group but overt behavior is manifested in individual manner.
(Imitation: Is not considered a defense mechanism per se, but imitation usually precedes identification. Imitation is consciously copying another’s values, attitudes, movements, etc.)
Example: The adolescent over time manifests the assertive behavior and states ideas similar to those that she admires in one of her instructors, although she is unaware that her behavior is similar.
Introjection: Symbolic assimilation of or process of taking in attitudes, behavior, wishes, ideals, or values of significant person into the ego and/or superego (a part of identification).
Example: The client talks about how much he/she helps other people with their problems.
Isolation Repression: of the emotional component of a situation, although the person is able to remember the thought, memory, or event dealing with problems as interesting events that can be rationally explained but have no feelings attached.
Example: The person talks about the spouse’s death and details of the accident that caused it with an apathetic expression and without crying or signs of grieving.
Projection: Attributing one’s unacceptable or anxiety-provoking feelings, thoughts, impulses, wishes, or characteristics to another person.
Example: The person declares that the supervisor is lazy and prejudiced: work colleagues note that this person often needs help at work and frequently makes derogatory remarks about others.
Rationalization: Justification of behavior or offering a socially acceptable, intellectual, and apparently logical explanation for an act or decision actually caused by unconscious or verbalized impulses. Behavior in response to unrecognized motives precedes reasons for it.
Example: A student fails a course but maintains that the course was not important and that the grade can be made up in another course.
Reaction Formation: Unacceptable impulses repressed, denied, and reacted to by opposite overt behavior.
Example: A married woman who is unconsciously disturbed by feeling sexually attracted to one of her husband’s friends treats him rudely and keeps him at a safe distance.
Regression: Adopting behavior characteristic of a previous developmental level; the ego returns to an immature but more gratifying state of development in thought, feeling, or behavior.
Example: The person takes a nap, curled in a fetal position, upon arriving home after a stressful day at work..
Repression: Automatic, involuntary exclusion of a painful or conflictual feeling, thought, impulse, experience, or memory from awareness. The thought or memory of the event is not consciously perceived.
Example: The mother seems unaware of the date or events surrounding her child’s death and shows no emotion when the death is discussed.
Sublimation: Substitution of a socially acceptable behavior for an unacceptable sexual or aggressive drive or impulse.
Example: The adolescent is forbidden by her parents to have a date until she is graduated from high school. She gives much time and energy to editorial work and writing for the school paper. The editor of the school paper and the faculty advisor are males.
Suppression: Intentional exclusion of material from consciousness.
Example: The husband carries the bills in his pocket for a week before remembering to mail in the payments.
Symbolization: One object or act unconsciously represents a complex group of objects and acts, some of which may be in conflict or unacceptable to the ego; external objects or acts stand for any internal or repressed desire, idea, attitude, of feeling. The symbol may not overtly appear to be related to the repressed ideas or feelings.
Example: The husband sends his wife a bouquet of roses, which ordinarily represents love and beauty. But roses have thorns; his beautiful wife is hard to live with, but he consciously focuses on her beauty.
Undoing: An act, communication, or thought that cancels the significance or partially negates a previous one; treating an experience as if it had never occurred.
Example: The husband purchases a gift for his wife after a quarrel the previous evening.
Flight into Reality: The attempt to avoid or buffer self from experiencing feelings or discomfort through immersion into work responsibilities, recreational activities, chores, organizing, cleaning, hobbies, etc...
Example: A husband having marital problems goes to work early, and comes home late to avoid dealing his spouse.
QUESTIONS
Having looked at some of the list above; write down at least three defense mechanisms that you have been reliant on in the past. Describe how they have helped, or hindered you?
List others that you may have used less frequently. Describe how they have helped, or hindered you.
Self System
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