Comments on: Magical thinking and feelings of control http://the-mouse-trap.com/2008/10/03/magical-thinking-and-feelings-of-control/ Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:55:23 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sandy G http://the-mouse-trap.com/2008/10/03/magical-thinking-and-feelings-of-control/#comment-386 Sandy G Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:48:12 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=269#comment-386 Caz, You may be right there. It may happen that over time reaction-formation (magical thinking and feelings of control in face of minor stress) may become ingrained and a habitual response and it may take less and less external stress to be able to trigger a relapse. There is definitely a 'learning' going on here. If the earlier response of magical thinking and psychosis 'worked' , use it again and again as a prepotent response strategy. <br /><br />Theresa, <br />It seems I never replied to your comment. Your experience of mania and depression is vivid and extremely insightful. I would love to hear from you again as to whether the lack of control leading to mania, fits your own experiences and constructs. Caz, You may be right there. It may happen that over time reaction-formation (magical thinking and feelings of control in face of minor stress) may become ingrained and a habitual response and it may take less and less external stress to be able to trigger a relapse. There is definitely a 'learning' going on here. If the earlier response of magical thinking and psychosis 'worked' , use it again and again as a prepotent response strategy.

Theresa,
It seems I never replied to your comment. Your experience of mania and depression is vivid and extremely insightful. I would love to hear from you again as to whether the lack of control leading to mania, fits your own experiences and constructs.

]]> By: caz http://the-mouse-trap.com/2008/10/03/magical-thinking-and-feelings-of-control/#comment-382 caz Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:09:27 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=269#comment-382 some interesting ideas, kind of a neural parallel to the reaction formation theory of mania -but given that stress appears to play the most significant role early on and decrease in significance for later episodes, do you think we begin to "learn" this as a response on a neural level and therefore become more & more likely to use it? some interesting ideas, kind of a neural parallel to the reaction formation theory of mania -but given that stress appears to play the most significant role early on and decrease in significance for later episodes, do you think we begin to "learn" this as a response on a neural level and therefore become more & more likely to use it?

]]> By: Theresa http://the-mouse-trap.com/2008/10/03/magical-thinking-and-feelings-of-control/#comment-281 Theresa Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:03:00 +0000 http://the-mouse-trap.com/?p=269#comment-281 Feelings of helplessness are absolutely involved in the depressive side of bipolar disorder. I can definitely identify with those mice. The theory that it may also be involved in manic episodes interests me. The irony in it is that when manic(personal experience)one feels completely in control. The word 'invincible' comes to mind. At the time, self-esteem is at a peak, as is energy and thinking. The ride up the roller-coaster is great, it's when you reach the pinnacle and start speeding down that the problems arise. Thinking becomes too rapid. It's like an electrical storm going off in your brain. Lack of sleep causes flawed thinking and perception. Then once one is spiraling out of control, the helplessness returns leading to depression. At least this is my experience. I can't speak for all beepers. I'm going to have to ponder whether helplessness leads to the mania, possibly a 'to hell with it all' mentality. Interesting theory. Feelings of helplessness are absolutely involved in the depressive side of bipolar disorder. I can definitely identify with those mice. The theory that it may also be involved in manic episodes interests me. The irony in it is that when manic(personal experience)one feels completely in control. The word ‘invincible’ comes to mind. At the time, self-esteem is at a peak, as is energy and thinking. The ride up the roller-coaster is great, it’s when you reach the pinnacle and start speeding down that the problems arise. Thinking becomes too rapid. It’s like an electrical storm going off in your brain. Lack of sleep causes flawed thinking and perception. Then once one is spiraling out of control, the helplessness returns leading to depression. At least this is my experience. I can’t speak for all beepers. I’m going to have to ponder whether helplessness leads to the mania, possibly a ‘to hell with it all’ mentality. Interesting theory.

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