Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!

I've just been sent this and it made me laugh SO hard I was to pick up!


Thursday, October 16, 2008

Compulsive Lying.

To begin with, it may help to understand the difference between pathological and compulsive lying, but ultimately, making this type of distinction may not be that useful. Because in either case, the outcome is typically the same: dealing with a compulsive or pathological liar is very difficult to do.

A compulsive liar will resort to telling lies, regardless of the situation. Again, everyone lies from time to time, but for a compulsive liar, telling lies is routine. It becomes a habit - a way of life.

Simply put, for a compulsive liar, lying becomes second nature.

Not only do compulsive liars bend the truth about issues large and small, they take comfort in it. Lying feels right to a compulsive liar. Telling the truth, on the other hand, is difficult and uncomfortable.

And like any behaviour which provides comfort and an escape from discomfort (i.e., alcohol, drugs, sex), lying can become addictive and hard to stop. For the compulsive liar, lying feels safe and this fuels the desire to lie even more.

Making matters even more complicated, compulsive lying is often a symptom of a much larger personality disorder, which only makes the problem more difficult to resolve (see, narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder - I have posted descriptions of these for your perusal).

Unfortunately, compulsive lying is hard for the person involved to see, but it hurts those who are around it. Compulsive lying, if not addressed, can easily ruin a relationship.

Compulsive lying can be dealt with through counselling or therapy. But, like any addictive behaviour (and/or personality disorder), getting someone to admit they have a problem with lying is the difficult part. Sadly enough, getting someone to recognize that he or she has a problem usually requires hitting rock bottom first.

Borderline personality disorder.......

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV Personality Disorders 301.83that describes a prolonged disturbance of personality function characterized by depth and variability of moods. The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; "black and white" thinking, or "splitting"; chaotic and unstable interpersonal relationships, self-image, identity, and behavior; as well as a disturbance in the individual's sense of self. In extreme cases, this disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation. These disturbances can have a pervasive negative impact on many or all of the psychosocial facets of life. This includes difficulties maintaining relationships in work, home, and social settings. Attempted suicide and completed suicide are possible outcomes, especially without proper care and effective therapy. Onset of symptoms typically occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, and may persist for several years, but the majority lessen in severity over time or recover. The mainstay of treatment is various forms of psychotherapy, although medication and other approaches may also improve symptoms.

As with other mental disorders, the causes of BPD are complex and unknown. One finding is a history of childhood trauma (possibly child sexual abuse), although researchers have suggested diverse possible causes, such as a genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, environmental factors or brain abnormalities. The prevalence of BPD in the United States has been calculated as 1 to 3 percent of the adult population, with approximately 75% of those diagnosed being female, 25% male. It has been found to account for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations. Common comorbid (co-occurring) conditions are other mental disorders such as substance abuse, depression and other mood disorders, and other personality disorders. BPD is one of four diagnoses classified as "cluster B" ("dramatic-erratic") personality disorders typified by disturbances in impulse control and emotional dysregulation, the others being narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders.

The term borderline, although it was used in this context as early as the 17th century, was employed by Adolph Stern in 1938 to describe a condition as being on the borderline between neurosis and psychosis. Because the term no longer reflects current thinking, there is an ongoing debate concerning whether this disorder should be renamed. There is related concern that the diagnosis stigmatizes people, usually women, and supports pejorative and discriminatory practices.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic classification system used in the United States, as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy."

The narcissist is described as turning inward for gratification rather than depending on others and as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power and prestige.

DSM-IV divides personality disorders into three clusters based on symptom similarities. This clustering categorizes the Narcissistic personality disorder as a cluster B personality disorder, those personality disorders having in common an excessive sense of self importance. Also in that cluster are the Borderline personality disorder, the Histrionic personality disorder and the Antisocial personality disorder.

The ICD-10 (International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, published by the World Health Organisation in Geneva 1992) regards narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) as "a personality disorder that fits none of the specific rubrics". It relegates it to the category known as "Other specific personality disorders", which also includes the eccentric, "haltlose", immature, passive-aggressive, and psychoneurotic personality disorders.

DSM Criteria
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
...has a grandiose sense of self-importance
...is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
...believes that he or she is "special" and unique
...requires excessive admiration
...has a sense of entitlement
...is interpersonally exploitative
...lacks empathy
...is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
...shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

You know who you are!!!!

A Fu**ed up individual!

OK, here we go.... heres a story for you.....

You become friends with someone, we'll call this person A. A is supposedly happily married to X. You seem to have the same interests, sense of humour etc. You spend a lot of time chatting with A via PM's on a certain web site. This goes on for quite awhile, the friendship grows.

Arrangements are made for a visit, for you to spend a week or so there. Should be fun, I hear you say.... well it was..... for awhile. Let me explain..... A introduces you to some friends, one in particular we shall call B. Now B was an absolutely charming person. Offered to meet for lunch on quite a few days whilst youre exploring. Fantastic I hear you say, and I couldnt agree more, a friendship in the making.
After a couple of nights out enjoying the nightlife, A decides that B isnt allowed to spend any more time with you, and decides to throw a tantrum, one which had been thrown on other occasions with other people in the same situation as you, and you end up staying at B's apartment.
SO!!!!! unbeknown to A, B and yourself still meet for lunch, text each other regularly, and go for walks (One special walk in particular. ;-) Late for dinner may set bells ringing?)
Then one night near to the end of the trip whilst yourself and A are waiting to catch the bus home, B appears, again A throws a tantrum, accusing you of all sorts. Anyway, you still end up spending quite a bit of time with B, again A isnt aware, but would you care anyway if this pathetic individual knew?
A remains in a foul mood, and you are more than happy to pack for the return home, but not before lunch, exchange of email addresses and a long hug from B.
Now youre back home, and for 5 months emails are exchanged at a rate of approx 100 per day. What does that tell you? hmmmm..... same here........ A knows youre in touch with B, and its niggling....... TUFF!!!
A then arranges a visit to your country. But in the meanwhile your friendship with A isnt as good as it was. After A returns home, because of certain antics, your friendship cools even more..... not that your bothered, youre only keeping it civil because you know B will get the brunt of the anger/childish tantrums.
Still B is emailing at a rate of approx 100 per day, until one day, a further 1 1/2 months later, B decides to call it off, for no valid reason at all, other than from what I can see, A has been giving B grief because of the friendship with you.

Now the way I see it:

A you need to get a life and stop trying to control other peoples lives constantly. Sort your own shit out and stop trying to wreck other peoples lives. If you havent guessed it already, two of the previous posts describe your personality exactly, and thats not just my opinion, it just needs more people to realise this..... namely B. One day he will, but by then it will be way too late for him, you will have already fucked him over.

B you need to toughen up, and start living your own life, and stop letting A rule over you, youre never gonna find any sort of happiness until you ditch the................. no Ill not lower myself, until you ditch A, unless its A that youre after. Hmmmmmmm..... I cant think of one reason why.
Lose the insecurity, youre a great person, you could have all the happiness you wanted, if you get rid of the excess baggage, that really isnt your baggage anyway, let someone else have the headache. Dictatorship isnt friendship. I know this may cause a few problems for you and I apologise now, but if thats what it takes for you to realise, then thats how it has to be. I cant stand back and just let someone totally shit on another person, just for their own personal gain.

X.......... Im so sorry! Words cannot express how sad I feel for you.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Histrionic personality disorder

Again, I can see this happening to the same friend that I really care about, but this person yet again, cannot see it happening. Neither I or this person are the ones with this disorder.

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood.

The essential feature of histrionic personality disorder is an excessive pattern of emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. They may be inappropriately sexually provocative, express strong emotions with an impressionistic style, and be easily influenced by others.

Overview
People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and professionally. People with histrionic personality disorder usually have good social skills, but they tend to use these skills to manipulate other people and become the center of attention. Furthermore, histrionic personality disorder may affect a person's social or romantic relationships or their ability to cope with losses or failures. People with this disorder may seek treatment for depression when romantic relationships end, although this is by no means a feature exclusive to this disorder. They often fail to see their own personal situation realistically, instead tending to dramatize and exaggerate their difficulties. They usually blame others for failures or disappointments. They may go through frequent job changes, as they become easily bored and have trouble dealing with frustration. Because they tend to crave novelty and excitement, they may place themselves in risky situations. All of these factors may lead to greater risk of developing depression.

Cause
The cause of this disorder is unknown, but childhood events such as deaths in the immediate family and genetics may both be involved. Histrionic Personality Disorder is more often diagnosed in women than men; men with some quite similar symptoms are often diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. However, some psychologists argue that it is more often diagnosed in women for the simple reason that attention-seeking and sexual forwardness are considered to be less socially acceptable for women than for men.
Little research has been conducted to determine the biological sources of this disorder. Psychoanalytic theories incriminate seductive and authoritarian attitudes by fathers of these patients.

Risk Factors
Genetics
Major character traits may be inherited
Other character traits due to a phenotypical combination of genetics and environment, including childhood experiences

Symptoms
The symptoms include:
Constant seeking of reassurance or approval.
Excessive dramatics with exaggerated displays of emotions.
Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval.
Inappropriately seductive appearance or behavior.
Excessive concern with physical appearance.
A need to be the center of attention (self-centeredness).
Low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification.
Rapidly shifting emotional states that may appear shallow to others.
Opinions are easily influenced by other people, but difficult to back up with details.
Tendency to believe that relationships are more intimate than they actually are.
Making rash decisions.
Threatening or attempting suicide to get attention.
Refusal to speak when confronted.

Diagnosis
The person's appearance, behavior, and history, along with a psychological evaluation, are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. There is no test to confirm this diagnosis. Because the criteria are subjective, some people may be wrongly diagnosed as having the disorder while others with the disorder may not be diagnosed. Treatment is often prompted by depression associated with dissolved romantic relationships. Medication does little to affect this personality disorder, but may be helpful with symptoms such as depression. Psychotherapy may also be of benefit.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR = 301.50)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines histrionic personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention
Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self
Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion
Is suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances
Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.

Diagnostic criteria (ICD-10)
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases defines histrionic personality disorder as characterized by:
self-dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated expression of emotions;
suggestibility, easily influenced by others or by circumstances;
shallow and labile affectivity;
continual seeking for excitement and activities in which the patient is the centre of attention;
inappropriate seductiveness in appearance or behaviour;
over-concern with physical attractiveness.

Mnemonic
A mnemonic that can be used to remember the criteria for histrionic personality disorder is PRAISE ME:

P - provocative (or seductive) behavior
R - relationships, considered more intimate than they are
A - attention, must be at center of
I - influenced easily
S - speech (style) - wants to impress, lacks detail
E - emotional liability, shallowness

M - make-up - physical appearance used to draw attention to self
E - exaggerated emotions - theatrical

Possessive Personality Disorder......

This was taken from a Psychiatric Article.
I can see this happening to a friend that I really care about, but this person cannot see it happening. Neither I or this other person are the ones with this disorder.

Possessive Personality Disorder is a pattern that wherein people are possessive with others and things in their lives. Sometimes it can be with just one person, but often it is about all of their relations. This all goes to control issues, jealousy, and self-esteem.
We exist in a basically dysfunctional reality in which people are categorizing and studying behavioral patterns to become more self aware and heal. Possessive Personality Disorder is another lesson in human relationships and how we function and experience. All things always come down to fear, insecurity, lower self esteem and other lower vibrational emotions and how we learn to recognize and overcome them.
Possessive Personality Disorder can begin in childhood but more often shows itself in teenage years in teenagers as personality disorders begin to show themselves on a more serious levels around puberty, and a need to assert and find themselves. They are searching for their reality!

Examples of Possessive Personality Disorder
A relationships between friends.
Let us say, 2 people have been best friends for a long time. They share everything. Along comes another person, who takes time away from this friendship. Issues develop and friendship become 'challenged', another word that describes our experiences here. Many things seem to be challenged. The friendship between the 2 people, now becomes outgrown and can end in drama.
Many people report that long term friendships suddenly come to an end, become outgrown for one of the people involved, but they don't understand why. On occasion the friendships rekindle. For the most part they have served a purpose that worked at the time the people were friends, then moved on.

Reality is about learning lessons, change and growth. We have different friends at different points in our lives for different reasons. Some stay...some go....some are positive - some drive us crazy. They always change because we change our frequencies and needs.
Think about your life. Think about the friendships you have had - the people you have loved. See them at the different stages of your life. Examine your current friendships. Do you think they will last forever - or are these people just passing through.....?
Have you ever been possessive? Why? Is this your nature? This is not good - limits your emotional, mental and soul growth. We are here to experience as much as we can with whomever we meet along the road. You will lose out in the end. We are all free souls.
If you are involved in a possessive relationship - from parent to lover to friend - take a look at what is happening and if it is inhibiting you. Counseling could help the situation. Telling the person the relationship/friendship is over - can also help.
Did you say you can't change? Go to therapy. You have issues. You could find someone else with Possessive Personality Disorder to share your life. Whatever works! Usual people with this disorder chose partners who are free spirits. Uh oh! You're into serious emotional damage!
Some of the people I read who have Possessive Personality Disorder try to change - but unless the underlying cause of this type of anti-social behavior is found - they will go back to their original patterning.
Possessive Personality Disorder is extremely destructive and sabotaging. It involves a lack of self-confidence and a need for co-dependency.