Modern Myths - Mental Illness
“The distance between a genius and a madman
is measured only in success.”
Though it is widely accepted that certain behaviour demonstrates the existence of mental illness, it is argued by some that this is simply a value judgment placed upon people who are not “normal”, i.e. not supported by the majority (or a large enough minority).
That the fears and depressions of such people are the result of the response they get when trying to communicate with others who think they are mad.
That this can precipitate frightening behaviour that can spiral out of control until it is demonstrably dangerous.
That the illness is in society as a whole and that those singled out for diagnosis and treatment (often forcibly) are scapegoats used by the rest of us to avoid facing up to it.
Historically there are many ways of being that have been considered particularly troublesome or dangerous, without actually being criminal. Hysterical women were given a hysterectomy (it is where the word derives from) and/or confined to insane asylums. People who believed in supernatural forces and spoke to gods and angels were once burned as witches. Strongly held beliefs and people’s actions based on them are the major currency of humanity. As such they are potentially dangerous and the definition of bizarre thoughts as an illness is the modern way of maintaining the status quo (we can no longer get away with silencing these people using surgery or execution so we use forced medication instead).
Consider this case of a man who displays many of the classic symptoms of schizophrenia:
Sex: Male
Age: 30Has found work and friends, but always feels “different”
Recently he has been hearing the voices of God and Satan in his head, telling him what to do.
Believes he is God’s sole mouthpiece on earth.
His behaviour is often disturbing to his friends and family.
Has displayed at least one instance of uncontrollable and violent rage directed at innocent bystanders based on his beliefs and their refusal to accept them.
Subject says he has realised that he is the promised Messiah and that his job is to save humanity.
Would like to announce the good news of his arrival to the world.
He expects to die in a “crucifixion”. It appears the subject is actively seeking his own destruction.
Believes it is the end of the world and that only his own blood sacrifice can help.
This subject is typical of a schizophrenic and could easily find himself sectioned and forced to take anti-psychotic medication by a psychiatrist today.
What might happen to him and his world if he were not medicated, but was taken seriously despite (or even because of) his bizarre beliefs and behaviours?
The impact of this man on our world would be so vast that it would be unmeasurable. Subject A is Jesus in AD 30 - How many kingdoms have been won and lost in the name of Jesus? How much power has been wielded and still is nearly two thousand years later because of the interpretation of one lunatic’s ideas?
The modern myth of mental illness is such exactly because of Jesus and men and women like him. Ideas like his are considered dangerous to society precisely because they have a history of being just that. Others who have slipped through the net over the years include Joan Of Arc, Gallileo, Isaac Newton, Salvadore Dali, John Lennon… Each has had an impact that is undeniable and it is easy to present a convincing case for any and all of them having been what is termed mentally ill.
All this is not to propose that every schizophrenic is a genius or vice versa. All we are suggesting is that, in the absence of any clinically provable evidence for the disease (and there is none agreed upon by medical practicioners) and faced with many highly regarded characters from history displaying “schizophrenic” symptoms; it can be said that mental illness is a modern myth, comparable to ancient myths of diabolic possession.