Why are you all pretending?

[Senex]

(you told... you promised you wouldn't)

Yes I did. However, as much as we're told that what happenens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas -- if nothing sexy happens to you in Vegas I don't see why I should keep quiet. Something nice should have happened to me. Because nothing nice happened to me I'm spilling my guts.

Yes, telepathy happens all the time. My neighbors don't have to pay for gas, those rascals drive on telepathy power. The United States has the best military because George Washington left telepathy instructions for all Presidents that followed him.

Many people who post here are wise to the telepathy legacy. Keep digging. The truth is out there.

[Dancing David]

Please read my posts about serial trolls and how they abuse kind people. We still do not know if Brendy is sincere and actually mentally ill or a teenager laughing his ass off at your impassioned speeches and righteous anger.

Any passing troll can go to any website listing the signs of schizophrenia and then work the symptoms into a convincing online persona. Try reading some of the archives of alt.troll on usenet. It pays to have a bit of credulity on the internet as 99% of the time we have no idea who is on the other end of the keyboard.

BTW-I don't buy magazines from unknown high school students raising money for a class trip to Vegas either.


Hmm, so while perhaps you were or were not abusive, being mean to a potentially mentally ill person is justified because they remind you of someone at another place and time?

What kind of evidence is that? You knew that they were doing this, this time, because?

[Dancing David]

I hope this forum isn't a place where the seriously mental ill should go to and expect to get professional help.

I hope there is no mental health professional who thinks it would be appropriate to treat someone via this forum.

I have no problem acting as if Brendy is not a troll (even though I strongly suspect he is).

So, he's made some very wild claims. One of which is certainly testable:


Electromagnetic waves are detectable. A receiver implanted in his head would be detectable.

He (or she) claims to have exhausted mental health services and also says:


No much a skeptic can do. Brendy seems to know how skepticism works, and has already shot down anything we could propose.

So. . . if Brendy's not a troll, what is the purpose of this discussion? As I said earlier, I suppose our huge conspiracy to pretend that telepathy doesn't exist has finally been exposed! ;)

Seriously, DancingDavid, what do you think motivated Brendy to start this thread?

That i could not answer, I would have to talk to them and ask them lots of questions. Could be a troll, could be an attention whore, could be someone with bipolar mania, scizophrenia or OCD who hasn't stuck with treatment or responded to treatment. they sure didn't act like a personality disorder.

A lot of severly mentally ill people get thier whole social life on the internet, sad but true, you tell them to engage in meaningful activities and that is what they end up doing.

Talking to people on the Internet.

Is that really meaningful?

:D

[Miss Whiplash]

Hmm, so while perhaps you were or were not abusive, being mean to a potentially mentally ill person is justified because they remind you of someone at another place and time?

What kind of evidence is that? You knew that they were doing this, this time, because?


Evidence that a sucker is born every minute?

[articulett]

In my opinion Brendy is probably NOT a troll as I mentioned before. Trolls usually come in here with the attitude that they are "skeptic of the skeptics"-- not paranoid of them.

If Brendy is not schizophrenic or at least bipolar-- he gives one heck of stellar performance. I hope he gets what he is looking for. And I hope he comes back with updates. I know, I know... I could be a trusting, bleeding heart... but Brendy does not sound like Amy Wilson or mayday to me... nor any troll I've known. Brendy does sound like people I know who have neurological problems.

[Dancing David]

Evidence that a sucker is born every minute?

Oh, a platitude? Okay. :)

[Miss Whiplash]

Oh, a platitude? Okay. :)

If it helps you get through the night...

I'm also selling subscriptions to Collier's Magazine. Would you like to help send my class to Vegas?

[Drudgewire]

I hope this forum isn't a place where the seriously mental ill should go to and expect to get professional help.
Thank you, I was trying to figure out how to articulate that without sounding like a total jerk. :)

[PenguinWarrior]

This whole thread has been incredibly depressing.

And the cynical attitude that it's fine to treat people like crap because maybe they aren't being honest is just horrible. I'd much rather be mocked by some idiot teenager for showing sympathy to a made up character than I would be the idiot who's doing the mocking.

Why is the bleeding heart approach the right one? Because it reflects well on the skeptical movement? Because of ethics? Because I'd like it to be true that we're not the cynics that believers want to label us as? Because, you know, I'd rather not be a complete and total (rule 8)?

I really feel a whole lot less good about this forum tonight than I did this morning.

Yuck.

[Senex]

This whole thread has been incredibly depressing.

And the cynical attitude that it's fine to treat people like crap because maybe they aren't being honest is just horrible. I'd much rather be mocked by some idiot teenager for showing sympathy to a made up character than I would be the idiot who's doing the mocking.

Why is the bleeding heart approach the right one? Because it reflects well on the skeptical movement? Because of ethics? Because I'd like it to be true that we're not the cynics that believers want to label us as? Because, you know, I'd rather not be a complete and total (rule 8)?

I really feel a whole lot less good about this forum tonight than I did this morning.

Yuck.

Sounds like someone waddled off the wrong side of the aquarium this morning. If you just teleported once in a while you wouldn't be so darned depressed about the glaciers melting.

[bruto]

It seems like a kind of bind here. Depending on who you listen to, you shouldn't be flippant, for fear of hurting a person with an illness, you shouldn't try to diagnose for fear of doing it wrong, but you shouldn't just ignore them, and you shouldn't go after them for trolling, and you shouldn't.....well, what should you do? Tell him to get help? Seems like not much.

[quarky]

Mental health professionals are often more proud than their track record should allow.

The idea that there is help available to our disconnected brothers is 1/2 liberal fantasy.
Heady stuff, if you're a shrink...make good money doing good work.
Meanwhile,
We get crazier everyday, as a suppossedly sane collective of compassionate humans.

(I'm still a bit pissed that a shrink's hour is 50 minutes, and the messed up folks in the waiting room have to work a full hour for their hour's pay. )

More shrinks for more mental health!
More lawyers for more justice!
More cops for more freedom!

Meanwhile, we remain embarrassed to address the underlying mess we've created.
We've created and reinforced an unethical social stratification.
All the crappy pills in the world won't fix it, or even slow it down.

How do we return sanity to the vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, for instance?
Convince them that they are heroes? That killing is ok? That it was a righteous cause?

There is systemic insanity that needs to be addressed.

[Brendy]

Well, I was gonna let the thread die, but so many more people responded, so I'll respond too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm8rwT4UWUc

This man had a very similar experience to me.

Similarities: Normal to Ill, belief in telepathy, mind control, voices, remote influencing, smells, optical illusions.
I was also forced into a hospital by my parents. Though I technically checked myself in. The voices also wake me from my sleep and keep me awake when I'm trying to go to sleep. Also that the medication didn't stop the voices.

The "physical sensations and things I can't explain" he mentioned really got to me because that was what really made me believe in telepathy.

(the smell hallucinations are some of the worst things. Very strong pungunt smells where there are none. Only has happened a few times.)

Differences:
The Age when it happened.
I've never believed in any telekinesis.
Six months has gone and passed like 8 months ago.

I have pm'd him on you tube, hoping he could elaborate with me on what he felt and experienced during this six months. I think talking to someone like him could really help me. Somehow it could force me to see that it's not real.

Just over the past day I have accepted the possibity of an illness. I don't mean to sound condensending, but you just CAN'T know what's going on in my head. I think this guy who made this video can because he went through a similar thing.

Of course a random stranger on the internet really isnt where I should be seeking a confidant. But it's anonymous and easy, and I like that.




I deleted my response to all the troll talk here. I'm just gonna ignore all that.


btw, Did you like that guy's math? 1/3 are really ill, but 1/2 are normal? 1/3+1/2=1?

[Brendy]

Thanks for defending me people, but I'm not an easily offended type. I'm a joker, and like a little ribing.

In fact the reason I'm on this internet forum is that the typing really focuses my mind so I really don't hear anything else but my own words (at least I think they are mine :) ).


So if you don't like me or what I say, don't read my posts.

[articulett]

Smell hallucinations are common with a particular type of seizure... this really sound neurological... and having smell hallucinations might help them figure things out.

http://personal.ecu.edu/wuenschk/parosmia.htm
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/smell-hallucinations.html
http://www.psychtreatment.com/schizophrenia_symptoms_hallucinations.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hallucinations.htm

Here's an an excellent video from TEDtalks (18 minutes) that you might find interesting.
ttp://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/229

The youtube video was good. I think about 1 in 100 people have schizophrenia-- and it can come and go and there are some new medications that don't have the side effects of the older ones.

http://www.schizophrenia.com/sznews/archives/005992.html

It sounds hellish. Let us know how things go. You can teach us how to recognize and respond to other people who are experiencing what you are experiencing.

[bruto]

Thanks for defending me people, but I'm not an easily offended type. I'm a joker, and like a little ribing.

In fact the reason I'm on this internet forum is that the typing really focuses my mind so I really don't hear anything else but my own words (at least I think they are mine :) ).


So if you don't like me or what I say, don't read my posts.I'm glad you can handle it, and that this discussion helps you to focus. I think you can be sure what you are typing are your own words. After all, if someone were controlling you, they would probably not want you to do this.

I seem to recall an account of the mathematician John Nash's long battle with schizophrenia, in which he noted that one of the ways he had managed to overcome it (not necessarily to be cured of it) was the realization that he could say no to the voices in his head.

[ExMinister]

The video was good and I hope that guy PMs back. You're right, talking to someone like him who has gone through something similar and still attributes it to brain dysfunction is probably going to be a lot more helpful than talking to people who haven't experienced it. Hope you'll keep us posted.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Thank you, I was trying to figure out how to articulate that without sounding like a total jerk. :)
Thanks.
And I found a way to articulate it despite about half a dozen typos.

[JoeTheJuggler]

It seems like a kind of bind here. Depending on who you listen to, you shouldn't be flippant, for fear of hurting a person with an illness, you shouldn't try to diagnose for fear of doing it wrong, but you shouldn't just ignore them, and you shouldn't go after them for trolling, and you shouldn't.....well, what should you do? Tell him to get help? Seems like not much.

We're also supposed to feel ashamed.

Yep, definitely feel ashamed, even though Brendy doesn't seem at all hurt by the jokes made at his expense.

Even though the forum section is "general skepticism and the paranormal" we should be ashamed for doubting this person's sincerity.

We could all put "seek professional help" at the end of every post, but Brendy claims to have already done that as much as he will. We could suggest ways to test some of his claims, but he's already said that there is nothing that could possibly change his mind about these things.

Kitten pictures are against the new policies, so. . as Bruto says, how should we respond?

[articulett]

Like we did, of course.

Or not at all.

There doesn't have to be a single "right" way.

[Dancing David]

If it helps you get through the night...

I'm also selling subscriptions to Collier's Magazine. Would you like to help send my class to Vegas?


No, especially when they are from a city two hours from here!

Um, so platitudes are evidence of people's motivations and behaviors?

[Miss Whiplash]

No, especially when they are from a city two hours from here!

Um, so platitudes are evidence of people's motivations and behaviors?

If these straw men help keep you company, go for it and build a couple more. Soon you will have enough for a game a Bridge.

[Dancing David]

We're also supposed to feel ashamed.

Yep, definitely feel ashamed, even though Brendy doesn't seem at all hurt by the jokes made at his expense.

Uh , huh. I did not say that 100% should aknowledge they were abusive. If somebody had come here and recieved that treatment and then ended up in the ER after a suicide attempt (low probability) then i stiil would not applaud abusive behavior.

If someone is a troll and dishes out abuse, you give to them in return. But to be sceptical of potential psychotic behavior when 1% of the population has schizophrenia and 1-5% of the population has bipolar disorder?

What evidence was there that Brendy was faking, none, justa ncedotal evidence from other situations?

Not you. I don't don't recall if you were abusive to Brendy.


Even though the forum section is "general skepticism and the paranormal" we should be ashamed for doubting this person's sincerity.

And what was the nature of the evidence?

[Smiledriver]

You should, as I presume someone has suggested already, apply for Randi's Million Dollar challange.

Just make one simple claim about what you can do, hammer out some protocols w/ the JREF and start buying fur coats and pimp canes.

Good luck

Oh, I don't believe you or anyone else have telepathic powers and I am not pretending either...sorry man.

[Senex]

Uh , huh. I did not say that 100% should aknowledge they were abusive. If somebody had come here and recieved that treatment and then ended up in the ER after a suicide attempt (low probability) then i stiil would not applaud abusive behavior.

If someone is a troll and dishes out abuse, you give to them in return. But to be sceptical of potential psychotic behavior when 1% of the population has schizophrenia and 1-5% of the population has bipolar disorder?

What evidence was there that Brendy was faking, none, justa ncedotal evidence from other situations?



Just because you live in Illinois and are clueless about how to teleport your butt elseware does not give you reason to suggest how people who live in real cities should behave. Who made you king of the 1-5% of the population? Where were you when no one answered my cries for teleportation need?

Take your pill my friend ;)

[JoeTheJuggler]

And what was the nature of the evidence?
What evidence is there to support anything Brendy claimed?

My response has been the same--either he's in need of serious help, or he's pulling our collective leg, or he's run across a hitherto unknown and amazing phenomenon.

Of the three, I think the second is most likely. If it's the first, he's in the wrong place. Neither you nor anyone else can dispense therapy (or drugs) via a skeptical message board.

If he's upset by the skeptical response he gets from members of a skeptical forum (which it seems he's not in the least), then he should probably find a more accepting crowd to tell his story to.

Again, part of the reason I think he's not sincere is that he doesn't seem to be getting upset by the ribbing and the fact that no one takes his story at face value (the third option I listed above).

I'd be happy to address his story as if he were completely sincere, but he's pretty much ruled out the two lines of discussion I could see: testing his claims or getting help.

[Dancing David]

Just because you live in Illinois and are clueless about how to teleport your butt elseware does not give you reason to suggest how people who live in real cities should behave. Who made you king of the 1-5% of the population? Where were you when no one answered my cries for teleportation need?

Take your pill my friend ;)


I do , every day before I go to bed. It keeps certain things in a managable state, especially irritability, anxiety and obsessions.

:)

[Dancing David]

What evidence is there to support anything Brendy claimed?

Having known friends who developed schizophrenia, bipolar and depression,(and worked with many others) it is not what Brendy claimed that is reasonable, it is however reasonable presentation of a mental illness.


My response has been the same--either he's in need of serious help, or he's pulling our collective leg, or he's run across a hitherto unknown and amazing phenomenon.

Of the three, I think the second is most likely. If it's the first, he's in the wrong place. Neither you nor anyone else can dispense therapy (or drugs) via a skeptical message board.

True but the abuse while most likely exagerated by me is still not appropriate, when I look at the behavior of certain trolls of the past and today, Brendy was not doing the usual name calling and taunting that I usually see. So I didn't think abuse was appropriate. I also didn't call on the most abusive because I know what that response would likely be.


If he's upset by the skeptical response he gets from members of a skeptical forum (which it seems he's not in the least), then he should probably find a more accepting crowd to tell his story to.

Here is the deal, having a mental illness does not mean that you sudenlly loose all your other faculties and rational discussion might be able (very unlikely) to change someones mind.


Again, part of the reason I think he's not sincere is that he doesn't seem to be getting upset by the ribbing and the fact that no one takes his story at face value (the third option I listed above).

I'd be happy to address his story as if he were completely sincere, but he's pretty much ruled out the two lines of discussion I could see: testing his claims or getting help.

I am not saying that, my asking for evidence is for the people who were saying that Brendy was faking symptoms or that Brendy was here to drain energy off of people.

People should feel free to discuss issues, how ever being abusive is not funny, fighting about diagnosis and the potential for faking diagnosis is not appropriate given the limited nature of the evidence.

So that is what I should have stated more clearly, I apologise.

[bruto]

Again, part of the reason I think he's not sincere is that he doesn't seem to be getting upset by the ribbing and the fact that no one takes his story at face value (the third option I listed above).

Oddly enough, that's one of the reasons I suspect that he is sincere. Just guessing, of course, but I think if he were a fake, he'd make a point of faking offense too.

[JoeTheJuggler]

Having known friends who developed schizophrenia, bipolar and depression,(and worked with many others) it is not what Brendy claimed that is reasonable, it is however reasonable presentation of a mental illness.
Right, and I thought you said it was shameful for anyone who is not a mental health care professional to argue about diagnoses.

I believe I've pointed out that even a qualified professional has no business trying to treat someone via a message board.

Did you not say the following?




MOST OF YOU DON'T KNOW SQUAT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BUT YOU THINK YOURSELVES QUALIFIED TO MAKE DIAGNOSIS BASED UPON A LIMITED NUMBER OF POSTS!!!
You're still tossing around "schizophrenia" and "bi-polar" yourself, and your qualifications to offer diagnosis over a message board is that you've had friends with these diseases? (If that's the qualification you're after, I doubt anyone here is NOT qualified.)

Didn't you also say the following?

Not only are many of you behaving in a harmful destructive fashion but you are talking out of your rectums about something you know little to nothing about.

Lets us have a show of hands shall we:

Who here has actually worked with people living with a mental illness?
Who here has had training on how to do assesment and use the DSMIV-R?
Who here has done multiple assesments and worked with real live people.

I've pretty much stated in every post that this forum is not an appropriate place for someone to turn to for mental health advice. It's a skeptic's forum.

I don't see how it's inappropriate for people to discuss possible explanations for Brendy's very strange posts. I've clumped them into three groups (mental illness, troll, or paranormal phenomena), and I think all three would be valid for discussion on this forum. Who are you to say any of them aren't legitimate?

I have no problem with, for example, Bruto's post (above) making a case that Brendy is not a troll. His argument might even change my mind. However, that's not the same as saying it's inappropriate to discuss the possibility.



People should feel free to discuss issues, how ever being abusive is not funny, fighting about diagnosis and the potential for faking diagnosis is not appropriate given the limited nature of the evidence.

So that is what I should have stated more clearly, I apologise.
Fair enough. I think the mocking and abuse is to be expected. It's an anonymous forum. Anyone can join for the price of an e-mail address. Brendy's OP was really bizarre. Even the thread title is strange--and accuses everyone here of being in a conspiracy or something. I'd be surprised if Brendy didn't expect to get some mocking and abuse--even if he is being completely sincere.

FWIW, I think the moderators do a fine job of moderating these days.

[Olowkow]

The fact is that no one here really knows whether Brendy is mentally ill or not. He is a functioning human being. And he has found an anonymous outlet for his thoughts, and appears to enjoy it, as do the posters. I find his insights rather intriguing and fairly well written on the whole. So what if he is "posing", it just doesn't impact anyone else but him. Perhaps more time should be spent guiding him to places like "stopsylvia", to show him that others have similar beliefs.
That he has not commented on a video I posted earlier makes me wonder if perhaps that wasn't indeed he who made it. There cannot be that many Brendy's in Vermont. If so, it is a real insight.

[articulett]

You're right. I bet it is him. Here's the link for those who are interested. If so, he is certainly creative and multi talented. http://www.vimeo.com/674964

I hope he stays in touch. He has certainly inspired discussion. I'm interested in knowing more myself.

[Miss Whiplash]

That certainly is a great video. Nice Pride parade too.

The man has a good eye. I hope he will do more with his talent.

[Apology]

I used to have sympathy for the mentally ill on this forum. I was so polite and so sweet, and even asked others to not be so harsh, just as dancing david is doing right now.

That's before George Simpson tried to sue me for suggesting that he get help. No good deed goes unpunished. I believe Locknar was also one of the Simpson 15. None of us that were involved with that fiasco will ever look at mentally ill trolls the same way ever again. Personally I will not bother with kid gloves, since the kid gloves got me no less sued the last time.

I learned a valuable lesson from those ET Corn Gods.

[articulett]

What became of that?

With paranoid people, everyone is "out to get them" or "trying to make them think they are crazy". I suspect there are multiple forum members who have such leanings.

[Apology]

What became of that?

With paranoid people, everyone is "out to get them" or "try to make them think they are crazy". I suspect there are multiple forum members who have such leanings.

George was unable to serve us, the named posters, properly because he was unable to find our Anti-Corn Clubhouse, so that part of his suit was dismissed by the judge. He continued with his suit against the JREF until the opponents in his many other lawsuits began discovering links to the JREF suit and its wild accusations, of which his opponents properly took full advantage. He dropped his suit against the JREF when it became too embarrassing, but it would not surprise me if we heard from George again some day.

[articulett]

It sounds like a good time was had by all.

[Locknar]

You're still tossing around "schizophrenia" and "bi-polar" yourself, and your qualifications to offer diagnosis over a message board is that you've had friends with these diseases? (If that's the qualification you're after, I doubt anyone here is NOT qualified.)But unlike me (and perhaps others), he's a expert...so its ok.


I have no problem with, for example, Bruto's post (above) making a case that Brendy is not a troll. His argument might even change my mind. However, that's not the same as saying it's inappropriate to discuss the possibility.
Well...while Bruto's post did not win me over (so to speak), I respect his opinion. In the end the unfalsifiable nature of all of Brendy's claims still have me convinced he's a troll. That said, if Brendy is truly sincerer then he should seek professional help (of course, last time I suggested this I and others were sued) as he won't get that here on a Internet forum.

I'd offer further comment, but I've already been labeled as "double shame full [sic]" for making unknown "bold claims", and/or being abusive, and do not want to risk further admonishment.


FWIW, I think the moderators do a fine job of moderating these days.Hands down, 100% complete agreement...except for Lisa (who must be blamed) :)

PS - And yes, Lisa does a fine job too

[Apology]

That said, if Brendy is truly sincerer then he should seek professional help (of course, last time I suggested this I and others were sued) as he won't get that here on a Internet forum.

We are Children of the Corn, brother. :tinfoil

[Dancing David]

Right, and I thought you said it was shameful for anyone who is not a mental health care professional to argue about diagnoses.

I suppose that might be what it looks like, I was responding emotionally for sure, I was mainly pointing out that people who did not have a background were arguing on the sincerity of Brendy. And that others were being abusive. If you feel that i made the statement you attribute to me then i would be in error and I apologise.

Is 35million people, actually more like 70 million in the US who could potentialy exhibit psychosis enough that there is a good chance someone is sincere?


I believe I've pointed out that even a qualified professional has no business trying to treat someone via a message board.

I think you would have to strech my sattements rather far to get that I was trying to treat Brendy.


Did you not say the following?

And if you want I can PM you my history, it is one the board and some here on this thread. Or we can discuss it here if you wish.



You're still tossing around "schizophrenia" and "bi-polar" yourself, and your qualifications to offer diagnosis over a message board is that you've had friends with these diseases? (If that's the qualification you're after, I doubt anyone here is NOT qualified.)

Um, I also can tell you my history, I mentioned four possible illness that could potentially cause the symtoms Brendy is allegedly presenting, and some others. I did noy say "you are faking a text book case of schizophrenia", did I?


Didn't you also say the following?

It is here on the JREF and in this thread, I will discuss it here if you wish, or in a PM



I've pretty much stated in every post that this forum is not an appropriate place for someone to turn to for mental health advice. It's a skeptic's forum.

It is a good place to discuss things however, not to get expert or even accurate advice.


I don't see how it's inappropriate for people to discuss possible explanations for Brendy's very strange posts. I've clumped them into three groups (mental illness, troll, or paranormal phenomena), and I think all three would be valid for discussion on this forum. Who are you to say any of them aren't legitimate?

When there is a significant number of people (70 million in the USA) at a minimum who could exhibit the presentation Brendy was giving, how appropriate is it for people to guess that they are faking it?

I have no problem with, for example, Bruto's post (above) making a case that Brendy is not a troll. His argument might even change my mind. However, that's not the same as saying it's inappropriate to discuss the possibility.



Fair enough. I think the mocking and abuse is to be expected. It's an anonymous forum. Anyone can join for the price of an e-mail address. Brendy's OP was really bizarre.

Not that bizarre, when you consider the millions of people who have those kinds of experiences, it is POV I guess, but for you bizarre)

Even the thread title is strange--and accuses everyone here of being in a conspiracy or something. I'd be surprised if Brendy didn't expect to get some mocking and abuse--even if he is being completely sincere.

FWIW, I think the moderators do a fine job of moderating these days.

They have the whole time I have been here.

[Dancing David]

But unlike me (and perhaps others), he's a expert...so its ok.

Locknar, I don't recall acting like you did , so perhaps you can show me the posts where I did? Where did I argue about diagnosis or abuse Brendy?

I am sorry if you got sued by some whacko, that would be a bitter drink in deed.

Well...while Bruto's post did not win me over (so to speak), I respect his opinion. In the end the unfalsifiable nature of all of Brendy's claims still have me convinced he's a troll.

Have you met lots of the millions of people who have a psychotic disorder? The unfalsifiable claims abound and so I don't see that as a criteria?


Stop Blaming Lisa! :grrrr:

:D

[Senex]

All this hand wringing about Brendy's mental health has passed the point of being funny. The guy wanted a little attention and he created a bizarre post on our site and -- KA-CHING! He has at this point eight pages worth of posts all about him and his ideas. I thought I hit a home run when a post about kneeling/not kneeling at Catholic services hit three pages. This is eight pages all about him. It's the high point of his day when sits at his computer and reads what people are saying here about him. That's not to be confused about what the people are whispering about him on the back of the bus and when he walks by them on the street. That talk about him is an entirely different matter.

articulett said:With paranoid people, everyone is "out to get them" or "trying to make them think they are crazy". I suspect there are multiple forum members who have such leanings.

My lawyers and I have been waiting for someone to come out and be willing to name names. Please stay at home today. The subpeana guy is on his way. You will make a great witness if you wear that little black dress ;)

[Dancing David]

I'd have to say troll at this point; to many things that don't make sense (to paraphrase Brendy):

- I'm a skeptic, but I'm being telepathically controlled
- Friends, family, etc. can use my body as their own except when I don’t allow it
- Friends, family, etc. can read my mind, but I can fool them (ie. lie) and keep secrets
- I could prove telepathy is real, but I don’t want to
- Textbook symptoms of schizophrenia
- Far too many “self answering” questions/issues:
-- I’ve seen doctors, they didn't/can’t help me
-- Stories/situations that cannot (and will not) be proven…such as post #109

All in all, very Mayday like with all the contradictions and "self answering" items.

Locknar, here is what I was referencing as bold claims, i was way over the top and very judgemental and rude.

However if you hung out with many people with psychotic disorders you would find that they all pretty much can act this way (and oh so much more), so I don't see how this would show that they are a troll or faking it.

[articulett]

All this hand wringing about Brendy's mental health has passed the point of being funny. The guy wanted a little attention and he created a bizarre post on our site and -- KA-CHING! He has at this point eight pages worth of posts all about him and his ideas. I thought I hit a home run when a post about kneeling/not kneeling at Catholic services hit three pages. This is eight pages all about him. It's the high point of his day when sits at his computer and reads what people are saying here about him. That's not to be confused about what the people are whispering about him on the back of the bus and when he walks by them on the street. That talk about him is an entirely different matter.



My lawyers and I have been waiting for someone to come out and be willing to name names. Please stay at home today. The subpeana guy is on his way. You will make a great witness if you wear that little black dress ;)

Subpoena-- you forgot the O... it counts against you. I'm a nudist.

[quarky]

I don't know and don't really care if Brendy is a troll or not, but I find it curious that his possible legitimacy is because he demonstrates classic, text-book symptoms.

If one of us was wanting to play a game here; posing as bi-polar, or worse, we'd likely look up the text-book for tips on how to behave.

Deception can run so deep sometimes, it ought to be its own mental illness, instead of just good advertizing strategy.

not to be overly ironic,
but trolls need help as much as the next nut-case.

[Brendy]

Smell hallucinations are common with a particular type of seizure... this really sound neurological... and having smell hallucinations might help them figure things out.

http://personal.ecu.edu/wuenschk/parosmia.htm
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/smell-hallucinations.html
http://www.psychtreatment.com/schizophrenia_symptoms_hallucinations.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/hallucinations.htm

Here's an an excellent video from TEDtalks (18 minutes) that you might find interesting.
ttp://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/229

The youtube video was good. I think about 1 in 100 people have schizophrenia-- and it can come and go and there are some new medications that don't have the side effects of the older ones.

http://www.schizophrenia.com/sznews/archives/005992.html

It sounds hellish. Let us know how things go. You can teach us how to recognize and respond to other people who are experiencing what you are experiencing.

I've decided to have another EEG done and to see a neurologist. My first EEG was a little abnormal and they wanted me to get it checked out further, but I never saw a neurologist about it because I never heard voices back when it was done and I was reletively fine.

My dad is a doctor and he gave me a book about someone's struggle with schizophrenia. It really has convinced me its not real.

The reason I didn't talk to my dad about my delusions is because his voice was in my head. It wasn't a nice voice. I told them everything now. I faked getting better so I'd get out of the rehab place. I felt like I was in jail.


It is so weird having conversations with the voices now that I don't believe that they are other people. I questioned whether they were other people at first, but eventually I was convinced.

I still don't completely control my brain though. I'm not consciously doing these voices and hallucinations. So I don't really consider that "I" am doing it. I'm really gonna work on trying to control what the voices say.

It's not like I just believed this stuff without proof. It was proven to me several times. But I understand now that the proof was my mind playing tricks on me.

Now I feel really bad about cutting contact from lots of people in my life. My relationship with my parents really went to hell. I really resented them harrassing me in my head then pretending to care out loud.

The problem with just having someone with this sort of illness just go see a doctor is that I heard the doctors' voices in my head as they were talking to me. I couldn't trust what they were saying outloud.

I think hearing a person who went through they same thing is the best way to help someone like this. Whether it be a book or in person.


It's funny that you guys caught me in this transition period. I think this thread, amoung other things, really helped.

I hope you all understand now that I truely believed what I said in the OP. I didn't lie once. Now enough with the troll stuff. You wanted me to give proof of the telepathy. Now where is your proof that i'm a troll. You believe it without proof. Be careful you might have "Obsessive Compulsive Troll Accusing Disorder".

[Brendy]

You're right. I bet it is him. Here's the link for those who are interested. If so, he is certainly creative and multi talented. http://www.vimeo.com/674964

I hope he stays in touch. He has certainly inspired discussion. I'm interested in knowing more myself.

That's not me. I have hair :)

[Brendy]

I wish I could edit my OP because I would ask people to either read my last posts in this thread or not read it at all because they will get the wrong impression of me.

[Brendy]

It's the high point of his day when sits at his computer and reads what people are saying here about him.

Really? Where'd you get this information? What's your proof? Aren't you a skeptic, don't you need proof? Aren't you trying to just start something with me by sayin that? That would make you the troll.

For your information my whole day is *********** hell. There is no high point.

You don't care about that. And I don't care about you.

[jmontecillo01]

Hi Brendy,

I am happy that you are at least putting an effort to address the problem. It might take a little time to find theirght medications but I assure you, eventually it will. Take the medications prescribed by the doctor. If it is causing problems like lethurgic feelings, talk to you doctor about it so that the dosage can be adjusted.

My dad is a doctor and he gave me a book about someone's struggle with schizophrenia. It really has convinced me its not real.

The reason I didn't talk to my dad about my delusions is because his voice was in my head. It wasn't a nice voice. I told them everything now. I faked getting better so I'd get out of the rehab place. I felt like I was in jail.


It is wonderful that you have a father who understands what you are going through. Discuss what you feel with him.

I think hearing a person who went through they same thing is the best way to help someone like this. Whether it be a book or in person.


You are quite right. It is difficult for a person who did not experience what you went through to understand what you feel.

It's funny that you guys caught me in this transition period. I think this thread, amoung other things, really helped.


Words of advice and comfort does not cost a single cent. Words that hurt that are directed to a person who is really suffering from mental illness is dangerous as it might push that person to the edge.

I hope you all understand now that I truely believed what I said in the OP. I didn't lie once
Your opening post was a complete giveaway. Your words basically means "I don't have mental ilness so do not give me links to respiredal. Just get out of my head". Delusion and denial. I do not believe that a person would put an effort to understand the illness just so he could annoy people.

Don't worry, the more you examine the illness, the more insight you develop.

[Gst]

Can you make yourself fart?Oh man, I wish.

[Empress]

I've decided to have another EEG done and to see a neurologist. My first EEG was a little abnormal and they wanted me to get it checked out further, but I never saw a neurologist about it because I never heard voices back when it was done and I was reletively fine.

My dad is a doctor and he gave me a book about someone's struggle with schizophrenia. It really has convinced me its not real.

The reason I didn't talk to my dad about my delusions is because his voice was in my head. It wasn't a nice voice. I told them everything now. I faked getting better so I'd get out of the rehab place. I felt like I was in jail.


It is so weird having conversations with the voices now that I don't believe that they are other people. I questioned whether they were other people at first, but eventually I was convinced.

I still don't completely control my brain though. I'm not consciously doing these voices and hallucinations. So I don't really consider that "I" am doing it. I'm really gonna work on trying to control what the voices say.

It's not like I just believed this stuff without proof. It was proven to me several times. But I understand now that the proof was my mind playing tricks on me.

Now I feel really bad about cutting contact from lots of people in my life. My relationship with my parents really went to hell. I really resented them harrassing me in my head then pretending to care out loud.

Many of us simply can't control our brains. Many mental illnesses are organic, and as such require medication. I've suffered my entire life with severe depression. Without medication I have suicidal ideation on a regular (several times a week) basis. I have horrible thoughts and feelings about myself.

This is not a personal failing, and thinking so simply increases my symptoms. With the proper medication, those obsessive thoughts and feelings vanish completely.

Schizophrenia can be very difficult to treat, but recognizing that the voices in your head aren't real is a huge first step. Now it's important to act on your understanding and get help. You'v taken the first step by talking to your father and agreeing to have another EEG. Now it's important to not slip back into earlier delusions, and to follow through with your appointment and recommended aftercare.

Also, I strongly suspect that your parents and others who love you will welcome you back into their lives with open arms. Good luck. :)

[articulett]

Brendy, I'm glad you kept us apprised. It sounds like you are on a good path. It is good to find and hear from others who experience what you experience, and one day you will be that kind of help for someone else who is scared and having their first experiences with hallucinations or delusions. Nobody asks for mental illness. But at least we live in a time where there are more solutions than ever, and you are smart, and you may never have another episode. John Nash (the famous mathematician with schizophrenia and the basis for the movie--A Beautiful Mind said that he never stopped hearing voices, but he learns to check and see if they are real with people he trusts.

Schizophrenia can be very difficult because it makes you distrust the people who really could help you like your parents. It sounds like your dad is perceptive. Maybe one day you'll write your own book. It's good that you've recorded your experiences.

Don't worry about people calling you a troll. As you read the writings here, you will see that we get some trolls--people who believe unbelievable things or who don't make much sense--they get mad at us when we ask questions or ask for evidence. They don't want to discuss anything, because they believe they are here to teach. So sometimes we tease them because they can be frustrating and they don't listen anyhow. It's not nice, and I'm particularly catty with "creationists" myself-- so maybe those who called you a troll are a little paranoid too. Nobody wants to be "tricked" on line. I get so peeved when I really try to explain evolution to a creationists only to realize their questions weren't sincere at all. As you read more posts here, you'll probably understand why people may have jumped to that conclusion. But it will give you good practice to develop thick skin. There are all kinds of people in the world. You will develop the skills to find out who you can trust and who you can ignore. I suspect your dad is someone you can trust.

So you're not the Brendy in the video... you can't ride a unicycle? Darn. I thought that was pretty damn cool.

[Senex]

Subpoena-- you forgot the O... it counts against you. I'm a nudist.

I forgot the O? Hmmm... I never forget the the O when it's important. And it's usually very important. Give me another chance :D I'm a nudist too but unlike you the subpeana guys don't give a discount when serving me.

Brendy said:Really? Where'd you get this information? What's your proof? Aren't you a skeptic, don't you need proof? Aren't you trying to just start something with me by sayin that? That would make you the troll.

For your information my whole day is *********** hell. There is no high point.

You don't care about that. And I don't care about you.

Whoah, back off my friend. I just happen to have the most recent copy of Telepathy Today and it seems a certain person was thinking a little too loudly at the motor vehicle line recently. It seems a certain fellow named Brendy has a wonderful life full of mischief. It turns out, despite his protestations, it doesn't suck to be him.

[Brendy]

A thanks goes out to all of you. I am on new medication now and it is working wonderfully. I no longer hear new voices, only the older ones and even they are very diminished.

That's all I wanted to say. Just thanks for be supportive.

[articulett]

Thanks for updating us, Brendy. Good luck. Feel free to stick around.

[LordoftheLeftHand]

A thanks goes out to all of you. I am on new medication now and it is working wonderfully. I no longer hear new voices, only the older ones and even they are very diminished.

That's all I wanted to say. Just thanks for be supportive.

Good for you Brendy! It must be very hard when you have a screw loose to have the courage face up to it and go get it "tightened up". I wonder how many people are capable of that? I'm impressed.

LLH

[devnull]

A thanks goes out to all of you. I am on new medication now and it is working wonderfully. I no longer hear new voices, only the older ones and even they are very diminished.

That's all I wanted to say. Just thanks for be supportive.

Glad it's working out for you. For a while you were sounding a lot like the "MI5 is trying to kill me!" guy that plagues the usenet.

http://www.five.org.uk

Scary stuff......

[Baron Samedi]

A thanks goes out to all of you. I am on new medication now and it is working wonderfully. I no longer hear new voices, only the older ones and even they are very diminished.

That's all I wanted to say. Just thanks for be supportive.

Hey Brendy. It's good to hear that you're doing better. Keep hanging in there, okay?

[Empress]

What wonderful news! Thanks for letting us know, and please keep in touch. :)

[Irish Murdoch]

And if you think i am crazy, is there a need to make fun?

No, there certainly isn't. I for one would never make fun of you. It may be extremely hard to see this from where you're sitting, but I really would recommend that you see a psychiatrist. What you are talking about seems to be what is known as a perception of "thought insertion". Far from offering evidence of telepathy, this is a common symptom of psychotic illness. I know that you're likely to think I don't understand, and that I'm just misguided in encouraging you to seek medical help. I guess there's not a lot I can do about that. But, out of concern for you, it's something I feel duty-bound to recommend all the same.

I can tell you with my hand on my heart that I am not "pretending" to believe there is no such thing as telepathy. I really do believe that there is no such thing.

(Edited to add: Sorry for not realising that your original message was part of a very old thred. I'm delighted to hear that things are going well for you now.)

[godless dave]

Glad to read the good news, Brendy.

[Bull13]

Edited for civility

[TheRedWorm]

What a truly horrid thing to say.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Edited for civility

No. It just means you are full of it. Pull the wings off flies too? :boggled:

[devnull]

No. It just means you are full of it. Pull the wings off flies too? :boggled:

Actually it probably means that he hasnt read the rest of the thread :D

[rjh01]

This is great news. You are one of the few people to make a post like your OP and then come back later and say your health is improving.

[Senex]

Well, you know, it always feel good when you support an eccentric who comes through in the end. I just wish someone would do that for me.

[bruto]

I'm glad things are improving.

[ExMinister]

That news just made my day. :) Thanks for letting us know.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Actually it probably means that he hasnt read the rest of the thread :D

OK. If that is really true, I apologize. :o

[Wangler]

.......for a bunch of critical thinker you should turn in your critical thinking badges.

It's no surprise to you that many of the JREF posters are immature posers and not critical thinkers?

[ZeroAltitude]

Wow, I just read this whole thread from start to finish.

Talk about the whole range of "forum emotion".

I'm really glad Brendy is finding his way and even though it wasn't him, that Make Your Own Kind of Music video was a fantastic way to spend six minutes.

[Hawthorne]

What a horrible, potentially harmful thing to suggest.

I am reminded of the less educated New Agers working in New Age stores, who have no idea how to recognize schizophrenia or any other mental illness when they see it and irresponsibly encourage people suffering from it to attribute their hallucinatory experiences to psychic or paranormal events. Worse still, they seem completely convinced that they are helping and ignorant of the harm they do.

Not to mention completely selfish. They suggest the hallucinations are paranormal and if the person believes it they feel validated that their beliefs were right, and get to walk home with a smug look on their face...lording their superior knowledge over all the unfortunates still stumbling around in the dark. Their goal isn't to help the sufferer, the goal is to prove themselves right.

[Lisa Simpson]

Please stop this discussion.