This is a real illness

C.E.Chaffin — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:56:22 -0800

I live in an area of California where the philosophy of "thought creates" is quite popular. This notion has been one feature of "New Age" thinking that works well for those with normal brains. Unfortunately for the manic-depressive this notion creates but another layer of guilt to apply to previous varnishes. "You become what you imagine." Hmmm... why would anyone want to imagine themselves thrown in jail, as I have been more than once when manic? Why would anyone want to be curled up in a fetal position, unable to speak? The idea that "thought creates" blames the victim and falsely exalts those free of a mood disorder, which by strict criteria might include 90% of the population.

The mistake of ascribing volition to mood is fairly pervasive. In a world of well-balanced folks with normal brain chemistry this might fly; in the real world it is a crock.