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Diagnosis

I was talking about disorders with some people the other day.  Somebody mentioned that there was a disorder for everything... I have to agree.

I don't think that it is wrong at all to give a name to a set of problems.  It isn't even wrong to use a nice psychological name, and tack the word, "disorder" onto the end of the title.  Isn't that what we are all about anyway?  Aren't we all a little marred from the original order? (...therefore, we are in a state of "dis"order...)  To hear another description of our messed up psychological state, try reading Romans 3:10-18.

Well, I wanted to share the name of a disorder with you, and its description.  The name of this disorder is Paranoid Personality Disorder.  Here is the description:

Paranoid personality disorder is listed in the DSM-IV-TR as 301.00 Paranoid Personality Disorder.
According to the DSM-IV-TR, this disorder is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspicion of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
  • Suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her
  • Is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
  • Is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her
  • Reads benign remarks or events as threatening or demeaning.
  • Persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights
  • Perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack

Many disorders are described (and diagnosed) by the behaviors.  Jesus tells us that all behaviors come from the heart, so I believe that it is important to attempt to tack-on a Biblical description for the disorder that drills down to the root of the problem.  In the case of Paranoid Personality Disorder, I would diagnose Pride, complicated with fear and the desire for control.

What say you?
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Comments

  1. Rick Boyne1/08/2009 8:18 AM

    I can imagine all the "pros" shrieking at your bullseye.

    I'm sick of all the disorders; lets just call it what it is. For example, ADD should 95% of the time actually be described as "ain't done disciplining"

    I had a psychologist remove the comment above from his blog. If you need to, go ahead! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Matt Harmless1/08/2009 10:09 AM

    Yeah. I typed that post knowing that it might bother some. But I believe that they are bothered most because they are attributing motives to my words.

    Can someone say hard things and be compassionate at the same time?

    Yes.

    ReplyDelete

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