What Does Mental Illness or An Altered State of Mind Look Like Online?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

This is actually a topic I've thought about for many years and I hope I can explain my line of thought in a way that makes sense and is not offensive.

In my real life, I've encountered:

* People who have drastic personality changes, especially when they drink or take drugs (both prescribed and/or illegal.)

* A co-worker who repeatedly tried to speak Korean phrases to me and expected me to speak Korean back to them even though I explained EVERY single time that I only speak English (and this person's native language was English, too.) For some reason, this person seemed to "forget" every single time, even if they saw me nearly every day. After several months, I could only conclude that for some reason, this person "couldn't" remember this about me (though they always knew my name.)

* A woman who was uncannily polite and perfectly reasonable to talk to one minute, then would go off in a corner and have angry, howling rants to no one but herself about whom she wanted to kill and in a very specific way (this was in a mental health setting).

I could list many more instances, but over time, I came to realize that some people may be struggling with issues that truly prevent them from acting in a more rational manner. I have often wondered, with all kinds of people out there online, how would these types of psychological and biological "show up" or "appear" online? What would the "symptoms" be, and would the casual observer be able to pick up on any of this? Would it even be possible to tell through written words?

After reading the Bible Forum for years, I've often wondered how many people in the online community might be struggling with these types of issues. I remember one former member from years ago who used to go on wild rants in the Bible Discussion chat room every day. I certainly don't mean this in a judgmental way, but from his appearance and the condition of his surroundings on his webcam, he seemed to invest little to no time on personal hygiene, cleanliness, or organization.

All the clues seemed to point to a situation in which this person had very little, if any, regular interaction with real people in real life. Rather, it seems he devoted all his time to his own method of Bible study... and then tried to convert others to what he felt was his own superior way of thinking.

I often wonder what such conditions can do to a person's view of reality.

I am certainly not trying to accuse anyone here of being under the influence of anything or struggling with mental health. But when I see things such as severe mood swings, lashing out at people for no apparent reason, repetitions of preaching that has nothing to do with a thread topic (even if they use Biblical principles), and a failure to "connect" with other or answer members of the community, I wonder such things such as:

* Maybe this person needs medical help but is unaware, afraid, or can't afford it?

* Maybe this person is struggling with a substance abuse problem? (I had a boyfriend who had 2 very subtle but distinct personalities when he was drinking vs. when he was sober.)

* Maybe this person is isolated from other people, and doesn't really know how to act in social situations?

The reason I think about such things isn't to try to condemn people, but rather, to try to use discernment. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe there is something untreated in that makes the more rational part of that person either suppressed or missing altogether. I sometimes wonder if maybe that person really CAN'T see beyond what they keep repeating.

I recently spent about an hour trying to research what signs of substance abuse and/or mental illness would look like online--and I couldn't really find anything, just articles about things to look for "in real life." (If you know of any sources, please post them--I'd really be interested in reading them myself.)

Personally, I think this is an important topic, not to be used in judgment or condemnation, but rather to help us recognize that there might be a better approach when we see these things happening. Sometimes I continue to ask questions in the forums because I'm looking for clues as to "what might really be going on." Maybe I'm observing a person who can't afford medical care and actually needs help and encouragement.

Of course, in some instances, the best answer might be to walk away and keep a person in prayer.

But I think about these things because I hope it will help me better understand people. I also believe that such discernment is both practical and necessary for participating in the online community. I am certainly NOT trying to promote rash assumptions or accusations, but rather, wisdom and discernment.

Does anyone else out there think about this and have any thoughts to share?

 

[Utah]

​It feels good when God exalts you over your adversaries. I feel very good, thank you. God will always vindicate His loved ones.

It looks like the above post from one of the BDF threads.

 

[VioletReigns]

Hey Everyone,

This is actually a topic I've thought about for many years and I hope I can explain my line of thought in a way that makes sense and is not offensive.

In my real life, I've encountered:

* People who have drastic personality changes, especially when they drink or take drugs (both prescribed and/or illegal.)

* A co-worker who repeatedly tried to speak Korean phrases to me and expected me to speak Korean back to them even though I explained EVERY single time that I only speak English (and this person's native language was English, too.) For some reason, this person seemed to "forget" every single time, even if they saw me nearly every day. After several months, I could only conclude that for some reason, this person "couldn't" remember this about me (though they always knew my name.)

* A woman who was uncannily polite and perfectly reasonable to talk to one minute, then would go off in a corner and have angry, howling rants to no one but herself about whom she wanted to kill and in a very specific way (this was in a mental health setting).

I could list many more instances, but over time, I came to realize that some people may be struggling with issues that truly prevent them from acting in a more rational manner. I have often wondered, with all kinds of people out there online, how would these types of psychological and biological "show up" or "appear" online? What would the "symptoms" be, and would the casual observer be able to pick up on any of this? Would it even be possible to tell through written words?

After reading the Bible Forum for years, I've often wondered how many people in the online community might be struggling with these types of issues. I remember one former member from years ago who used to go on wild rants in the Bible Discussion chat room every day. I certainly don't mean this in a judgmental way, but from his appearance and the condition of his surroundings on his webcam, he seemed to invest little to no time on personal hygiene, cleanliness, or organization.

All the clues seemed to point to a situation in which this person had very little, if any, regular interaction with real people in real life. Rather, it seems he devoted all his time to his own method of Bible study... and then tried to convert others to what he felt was his own superior way of thinking.

I often wonder what such conditions can do to a person's view of reality.

I am certainly not trying to accuse anyone here of being under the influence of anything or struggling with mental health. But when I see things such as severe mood swings, lashing out at people for no apparent reason, repetitions of preaching that has nothing to do with a thread topic (even if they use Biblical principles), and a failure to "connect" with other or answer members of the community, I wonder such things such as:

* Maybe this person needs medical help but is unaware, afraid, or can't afford it?

* Maybe this person is struggling with a substance abuse problem? (I had a boyfriend who had 2 very subtle but distinct personalities when he was drinking vs. when he was sober.)

* Maybe this person is isolated from other people, and doesn't really know how to act in social situations?

The reason I think about such things isn't to try to condemn people, but rather, to try to use discernment. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe there is something untreated in that makes the more rational part of that person either suppressed or missing altogether. I sometimes wonder if maybe that person really CAN'T see beyond what they keep repeating.

I recently spent about an hour trying to research what signs of substance abuse and/or mental illness would look like online--and I couldn't really find anything, just articles about things to look for "in real life." (If you know of any sources, please post them--I'd really be interested in reading them myself.)

Personally, I think this is an important topic, not to be used in judgment or condemnation, but rather to help us recognize that there might be a better approach when we see these things happening. Sometimes I continue to ask questions in the forums because I'm looking for clues as to "what might really be going on." Maybe I'm observing a person who can't afford medical care and actually needs help and encouragement.

Of course, in some instances, the best answer might be to walk away and keep a person in prayer.

But I think about these things because I hope it will help me better understand people. I also believe that such discernment is both practical and necessary for participating in the online community. I am certainly NOT trying to promote rash assumptions or accusations, but rather, wisdom and discernment.

Does anyone else out there think about this and have any thoughts to share?

I honestly think it borders on insanity when Christian members who are known for their religious extremism jump on thread after thread to command others how to live. I'm talking about those who don't regularly exhibit compassion or mercy. Instead they just keep spouting scriptures and quoting entire chapters of the Bible to make people feel ashamed and fearful. They look nothing like Jesus Christ and are angered and offended very quickly.

 

[jennymae]

This is a very relevant topic. The problem also is that those persons are getting a lot of power by scaring others, and we are losing important perspectives in debates. A thread quickly becomes worthless whenever the characters are marching in.

 

[Dino246]

Wow, Seoul, great question! Perhaps just asking (in such a balanced way, I might add!) will help to remind us to be gracious in the face of another's seemingly odd behaviour. I haven't been here long, and I've seen enough unpleasantness on the forums, but I've also seen confession and expressed desire to learn and grow past one's own bad behaviour.

Along with prayer (for the person and for wisdom/grace), perhaps some gentle questioning would help expose deeper issues. I'd be inclined to leave it for the trained counselors, rather than having just anyone start probing. I'm looking forward to the other responses on this thread.

 

[missy2014]

Hi there no your thread wasnt insulting its normal to have questions its normal to have questions about mental illnesses the nature of mental illnesses does spark questions I tend to look at Jesus as one who cared , had compassion and healed people I encourage and im sorry youd had difficult negative experiences with those you mentioned id encourage you to remember, see and know that alot of Christians who have mental illnesses who have their days can be one day fine and normal and then the next day out of it mentally and having delusional thoughts and then the next day it may take more than a day to recover (it really throws them) but not all people who have mental illnesses are as extreme as the ones you mentioned or they may have had a period but have moved on and are alot better. Alot of them live quite normal lives we even have one of our provincial rugby team in New Zealand whose coach who is suffers from a Mental Illness- Depression and is well known for his promotion of understanding and support for those with mental illnesses hows that a rugby coach?! go him hahah Because I've experienced alot of unnessary hurt, stress, pressure and predujice in regards to this subject I feel quite strongly about the subject of those people who have mental illnesses particularly those who want God's healing and are moving forward or need someone to move forward. Your examples were kinda extreme (if you dont mind me saying) but i understand it was frustrating for you etc, but people need help and awareness for especially those who do want help and realise many of them probably arent deliberately trying to be a nuissance or stirring- but want someone to to greive and cry with them Jesus does love and cry for these people- some of them may have had very traumatic upbringings in their lives too. For those who dont want help then yup i do get annoyed and angry but remember too those people Jesus is working on them and they may want help later on who knows what wonderful things God can do in peoples lives



my whole purpose of writting the above was to help also explain one of my thread on Psychosis (psychosis is a part of alot of mental illnesses) pls if you will have a read of this I wrote it for a friend: 'Mental Illness' Tempted to laugh? DONT here's why my thoughts on Psychosis - type that title its a thread

 

[Ahwatukee]

In answer to the question, Ever see the Matrix?

 

[Lynx]

Hmm... it would be hard to say in a forum. Sometimes people use it as a place to vent and other forum members get a very negative view about those people, but if you met them in real life they are really nice folks. Of course the opposite would also be true of other people.

Now in a chatroom, that was a lot easier. Conversation was in real time, or close to it. In chat if you don't say what you want to say now the conversation goes off and leaves you. When I was a chat mod (different chat, not CC) it was easy to get a sense about what people were like. I could even usually pinpoint their ages fairly closely by how they talked - not how they used slang, but how well they expressed their thoughts in words. It was also easy to get a sense of when something is just "not right" about a certain person.

In a forum, not so easy. People have time to read back over what they wrote. It's a lot easier to maintain a text based facade.

 

[seoulsearch]

I do realize that some of the typos/missing words in my own posts might have people wondering about MY mental state. I DO try to proofread but my mind is always 3 sentences ahead of my typing and fills in the mistakes. I do apologize.

Missy, I understand what you mean about extreme examples but they are actually things I am around most every day (and I just work in a store.) The third example, as I wrote, was actually in a mental health care setting so yes, that one was a bit out of the ordinary. But I've just worked in everyday places all my life and these are some of the people I've encountered. Sometimes they are co-workers and sometimes they are customers.

When I wrote this thread, I was thinking of 2 particular characteristics:

1. The people I've known whose attitude seems to "change" at the drop of a hat, and sometimes it's due to drugs or alcohol. The person with a harsh, abusive personality might completely "mellow out" if they drink or smoke enough, or the exact opposite might happen. What would the expression of this look like online, especially in the forums? When I read particularly angry posts, I sometimes wonder if they're typing in between gulps... or empty glasses and bottles. (Maybe they are trying to drown out their own loneliness?)

As I said, I had a boyfriend a long time ago whom I could tell was drinking just through his words. If he was sober and I asked about drinking, he'd say things like, "I hate myself. I hate what I'm doing to my family." All the focus was on him. If I asked the same questions while he was drinking, he'd say, "Why do you ask?" and go on to talk about other things. The focus and blame was then shifted to everything else. Of course, I only knew this because of knowing him in person, but it made me think about what sobriety vs. having several drinks would look like online.

I also thought about how this would show itself in online dating, which brings me to my second point.

2. So many Christian brothers and sisters here are dealing with mental illness within their own families, particularly bipolar disorder. They may have a parent, for instance, who loves and dotes on them one minute and then screams and curses them out the next. If you could imagine this person as a member of an online dating service, what would their communication look like?

Would this type of behavior show itself online over time? Is the person even aware of the extreme changes? Over the years, I've seen several people online who sound perfectly rational, kind, and loving in one post and then "in the blink of an eye", are suddenly furious or horribly condemning, seemingly out of nowhere. I'm always left wondering what's going on.

I have also been friends with moderators on other sites who told me that some of the "sweetest", most prominent and upstanding Christian members... were privately sending threats or sexual invitations to other members, and that's why they were banned. (NO names were ever mentioned and I didn't want them to tell me any specifics.) But it did give me a bit of insight into what "really goes on" behind the scenes that we may never know about.

I started to wonder:

* Are the extreme differences here the result of being sober vs. having a few too many drinks or hits?
* Did they forget to take or could they not afford to take a much-needed medication? (And are the personality "differences" a matter of taking vs. not taking it?)
* Do they have a condition they are unaware of or are unwilling to face?

I also feel this is very important for us as singles because many of us participate in online dating. I've heard tons of stories about talking to someone who seemingly becomes angry or disappears for no reason, then apologizes profusely afterward, blaming it on work or stress, or maybe doesn't offer any explanation at all. I might just be paranoid but I know if it kept happening, I would seriously consider that something else is going on, and I would definitely see this as a glaring red flag.

I also want to say that sometimes I think statements that "don't seem to fit" could also be a matter of not knowing English very well or, as we've seen in other threads, using an online translation tool that doesn't quite get it right. I certainly don't want to mistake learning another language for alcoholism or mental illness!

But for someone who definitely speaks English on a regular basis and keeps repeating disconnected statements or lashes out at people constantly because they can never be wrong and the Bible proves everything they say, I'm always wondering what's really going on "behind the scenes."

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and I hope people will continue to do so. I've found every post here to be extremely interesting and insightful.

 

[Lynx]

After catching up with this thread, I... well... I think I need a drink.

*Lynx goes off to pour a big glass of spring water.

 

[Lynx]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and I hope people will continue to do so. I've found every post here to be extremely interesting and insightful.

Well I guess my last post just broke the "interesting and insightful" streak. Sorry, just had to do it.

 

[seoulsearch]

After catching up with this thread, I... well... I think I need a drink.

*Lynx goes off to pour a big glass of spring water.

You know...

Now I'm going to have to pay close attention... to see if there are any differences in your posts before and after you started drinking.

 

[tourist]

After catching up with this thread, I... well... I think I need a drink.

*Lynx goes off to pour a big glass of spring water.

Water? I hope that it least it is with ice, preferably crushed. I'm a Gatorade man myself.