Stephen-Claude HyattYoung, lost, troubled mind
Dear Rev.
I HOPE you won't think I am insane after reading this. I am in my mid-20s and still trying to find a part of me that I grew up without. I don't have many friends or can't keep friends because I am so moody and bitter. My tantrum's easily builds up and sometimes I really hate life and feel like killing myself. I find it hard to trust people; my thoughts are most times evil and revengeful. I once imagined killing someone I hate and it felt so real it's like I was literally smelling the blood. I don't know what's wrong with me. I went to a psychiatrist twice.
Dear Friend:
I am not sure
if what you need is a
psychiatrist. Based on what you said about trying to find a part of yourself that you grew up without, it seems that there is something happening with you psychologically. I am really sorry that you did not say what this thing is that you grew up without.
Let me suggest off the bat that you need to meet with a psychologist, as there seems
to be some issues which need resolution in your life. What you are experiencing is nowhere near normal, and is really cause for concern. I do not think you are insane; rather, I believe you are a
troubled individual who needs help right away.
Based on your letter, you seem to have what we call a personality disorder, which affects your perception as well as your mood. It is, however, not possible for me to say conclusively whether that is so, or what the disorder may be.
SUGGESTION
Let me suggest that you seek a trained counsellor, preferably a
psychologist, who will be able to diagnose what is happening, and assist you in understanding and dealing with same.
If you are in Jamaica, please make contact with the Family Life Ministries, and ask to
speak with one of the counsellors there. If you are outside Jamaica, make contact with a psychologist or a counselling centre in you area. I would
suggest that you do it right
away, as the feelings of suicide as well as those concerning killing others, are anything but normal.
Please act now my friend.
Rev.
Amnesia or paranoia?
Dear Rev.
IS IT OK to keep on forgetting things, such as turning of the tap?
This has been happening to me for some time now, and I want to know if it is serious.
Dear Friend:
Amnesia, which is often called loss of memory, can be caused by several things; however, one would need to fully understand your situation in order to determine what is happening.
Alzheimer's
disease (AD) is one cause of memory loss, but is usually experienced by elderly persons. However, younger persons, starting as early a 30, have been diagnosed with the disorder. Alzheimer's is a slowly progressive cognitive disorder, which is an acquired impairment of intellectual functions. The reality is that there is nothing that can been done to stop the progression of the disorder.
HEAD INJURY
Another reason for memory loss is a head injury. Head injury is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, skull or brain. These injuries can range from a minor bump on the skull to a devastating brain injury. Head injury can be classified as either closed or penetrating. In a closed head injury, which most people have experienced, the head
sustains a blunt force by
striking the head against an object. Many of individuals have experienced injury to the head, but do not give it much regard because they do not recognise the implications of same.
Persons can also experience memory loss because they are depressed or grieving, or simply because they are getting on in age. I would suggest that you meet with your doctor, espe-cially if you keep forgetting
several important things. I am not sure what your age is; however, loss of memory can suggest a myriad of things, which I have not mentioned, thus you should not take it lightly.
Act now my friend.
Rev.
