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Friday, July 31, 2009

restore to sanity

at meetings i often hear that we are "insane"

that is quite the demeaning, inappropriate,
and inaccurate term

Ryan Howers Ph.D. psychologist and grad school
professor of psychology, shares;

I hear this every week, sometimes twice a day: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." No, it isn't.

To be clear, insanity is a legal term pertaining to a defendant's ability to determine right from wrong when a crime is committed. Here's the first sentence of law.com's lengthy definition:



Insanity. n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior.

Insanity is a concept discussed in court to help distinguish guilt from innocence. It's informed by mental health professionals, but the term today is primarily legal, not psychological. There's no "insane" diagnosis listed in the DSM. There's no "nervous breakdown" either, but that's another blog
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2 comments:

Findon said...

Nice one John. I like the definition you have given and agree with it. I too here these things in meetings along with the excuse " Well what can you expect Im an alcoholic" Which is the same old rubbish. Thanks for the post

Shadow said...

ha, thank you, so i've been quite normal all these years and didn't know it, heee heee heeeee

 
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