mental illness and deep thinking

Im a carer for someone with mh problems, have mh problems myself. Ive noticed that she goes into deep thinking, is this part of mental illness. Im worse in that I went into deep trance and trying to become present.
I dont know why she does it, goes into deep thought, I think my grandmother knows but wouldnt say anything so I would rather ask you as you would tell me a truthful answer.
mala

what is wrong with deep thinking?

Well, I know that sometimes my mood extremes can lead to creative and deep thinking. I'm sure it happens to others as well - lots of great poets, artists, writers, etc. are said to have had mental health issues. I consider it one of the major plus sides to dealing with said problems. Sometimes my mind takes me to places that others don't get to see.

I hope deep thinking is not included in the next DSM. I hope we don't start curing deep thinking.

Ability to think deeply is what makes human species something special.

One does have to wonder, since there really does seem to be a pretty major connection between the extremes of mind and emotion, and creative/deep thoughts. What is normal variation and what is illness? Where is that line drawn? Can we accept the value of melancholy? It seems that the works are valued but the minds they come from are still thought to be sick. Granted, living in that state may be uncomfortable. Even life threatening. But that doesn't mean there's no value in it.

Maybe there is a way to learn to handle the aspect. Maybe there are ways to take the edge off without losing the whole persona.

But maybe not. But maybe it is worth it. Maybe there is a reason for feeling bad. People like to analyse Kafka as depressed and yadda yadda. But he was a highly intelligent Jewish guy Prague in times of Austria Hungary. The empire was about to crash and burn. Maybe he did sense upcoming doom. Maybe he just realized that he is pariah and all the ideologies and theologies are sorta bunk and it makes little sense to cling to them.

Yeah, there usually is a way to take the edge off. But when you get something out of it, sometimes you don't really want to take the edge off. Sometimes the urge to explore the feelings in all their depths can be very alluring. Kind of like a moth to a flame. And perhaps he did know what was coming - if so then it would have seemed pretty bizarre for him to be an upbeat guy. Especially since normal is whatever we make it.

I know how can it be sometimes benefitial to stay for a bit even in the deepest places. Maybe with time one can learn to going to deep places and be safe there (or climb high as i often do).

In a way I enjoy most states of my mind. There is beauty in intensity.

There really is. Some of the most meaningful periods of my life have occurred in the darkest places. I think it would be interesting to learn to control it, although I'm not sure that hope is very realistic. It's hard to be both balanced and extreme. It's more of a compromise to me at this point.

and than there is question "why do I feel the way I feel?". Is it some baggage from previous existences? Am I picking up on vibes of places and people? Or is it simply a human condition?

There are times I wish I could turn it off and do some mundane living. But I want to be able to turn it back on. Because my emotions and feelings, they are me. I don't want to blame external or internal condition for my feelings... or doings even.

I climbed down into a very deep well and thought for awhile. I decided I have not had any previous existences since I would never volunteer to do this over again.

well, it is not up to us. We have to be learning until we learn, than we are set free...

For me, it's been all of those. Previous existences actually play a large part in my being, and I have gotten a pretty good feel for a lot of them. It was especially strong when I was a child. Or at least, that's how I interpret it. But I would prefer the deeper interpretations than to just think my mind is 'wrong' and I need to be 'cured.' Granted, I would like enough of a respite from depression to explore other things which I think would be meaningful in life. But that doesn't mean I would ever want to lose my second sight completely. For all the pain, I think it's worth it.

That's something people often forget when it comes to treatment - particularly of the mentally ill. It's supposed to be an option that's there for us. But I have my wishes regarding lack of treatment as well, and those need to be respected. Modern medicine is there to offer options; not as a value system which should be adhered to in place of current cultural values. I prefer to be in charge of my 'treatment' and take personal responsibility for myself. So my spiritual exploration has to weigh in as something which is also important for me when fighting the problems associated with depression.

I am wondering if you are meaning something more like dissociation, as opposed to "deep thinking"? I have bolded the part of your post that makes me wonder this.

Yeah, that is the thing. I have been accused that I don't want to get better. But the definition of better is subjective. Yes, I need and want to learn to take the edge of at times when it is too hard. But i want to be able to benefit from my experience, because I believe there is a reason.

I don't want to lose myself in hopes of becoming "better".

and yes, lack of treatment should def be an option if person can manage. Advocacy groups should understand this.

What is not up to us? People talk in circles. If there is no free will, our choices are delusions. If there is free will and the fear is losing oneself by choosing to try to get better, do not choose to get better and work on acceptance.

I have no reason to believe in any previous existence. For that I am thankful. Many have told me I am a slow learner in this life. I would feel even more pathetic if I had been through the process one or more times previously without learning anything of substance that has transferred to this reality.

I meant that reincarnation is not our choice. Whenever it is true or not, it is not something we would volunteer for.

And I do believe we have free will. The thing is so do others and sometimes they use it to coerce or force others into decisions.

If there is free will, we may choose not to be victims.

serafim - This is possible. I know a lot of my moments of deep thought involve deep dissociative states as well. It can feel very trance-like.

Venus - It is also getting to the point where it is considered strange and nonproductive just to be an introvert, for instance. I see people get diagnoses these days for things which would have been considered a normal variant of the human mind previously. I think some degree of accepting the differences when functional are as necessary as addressing the problem proactively when nonfunctional. As for advocacy - I know that at the very least, when trained in a health field, they will ram the concept of personal choice in treatment down your throat. I am often very surprised at how little the public seems to know about their rights regarding treatment. We have these rules for a reason. Patients should take advantage of them.

Byzantine - Talks of free really add another facet to this conversation. At this point, I choose to believe free will exists (at least as applies here) and that I do have a choice. I guess the question is whether people believe they have a choice and what choices are they going to make. Along with what choices they feel pressured to make. What they are told is normal. I also think there needs to be aspects of healing and acceptance. Both seem important in finding our way, growing, and learning. Going completely one way or the other seems very blind. Healing without accepting will leave people constantly longing for an ideal they can never attain. Accepting without healing causes stagnation.

Early on, I have questioned and been curious about my perception of "life" in the context of comparing it to what I was being taught. Because the comparison revealed what I believed to be large disparities, I have always been considered different. I have thought a lot about my existence and believe "normal" is a term used to control people and otherwise has no meaning.

Ultimately, I will not be defined by others even if I have difficulty defining myself. I suppose that is part of why I remain an oddity to so many who dismiss me as a crazy who may be ignored.

Although I value thinking about my life and the illness I deal with, I have not gone into a trance, although inertia has been a frequent visitor.

Maybe some of us came to the point we don't consider this illness of a broken point. For me it is rather "oh well, let's deal with this life" right now.

Don't see how not adhering to mainstream "treatment" does mean I chose to be a victim. On contrary, I don't run around wanting to be normal and hoping for miracle cure and falling into depths of despair when that doesn't happen.

I am not suggesting you change your opinion or do anything, Venus.

Whether deep thinking is indicative of a mental illness is not something I am qualified to answer. I do know I have an illness and do a lot of thinking.

Sorry, mala, I have not been more helpful.

I can see what the issue with deep thinking can be. Yes, one can get too deep. But at the same time, I don't see anything wrong about deep thinking. I find it more alarming that were seem to be becoming a society of people unable of deep thinking.

Hi mala!

I don't know that there is an exact answer to your question. I think there are way too many variables involved and trying to weed through each one to arrive at an answer would be exhausting and non-productive.

Is there something about this persons deep thinking that bothers you or upsets you? If so, what and why does it?

I can be a deep thinker although I believe that my mental health is pretty stable and positive. I can sit and ponder the existence of the world, the good and bad things about human nature and existence. I don't think my ability to do that has anything to do with any mental health issues I may have.

Wishing you well!

sabby

I have heard the saying "get out of your head."
And I assume at this point it means stop the deep thinking.
But there is a time for it.
I know of a friend that cries every night she gets home but I don't see her changing.
I realized she does not think about the issues, just feels them.

And I have seen the other end, people that just go round and round trying to figure it out.

That includes me.