Blog

Culture and Counter Culture

The Morally Superior Victim

Andrew T. Austin

Beware of people online who aggressively declare themselves “neurodivergent” and other popular self-diagnostics, including pseudo-pronouns, etc. on social media in order to display offence and anger at their imaginary enemies.

A narcissist who takes on the morally superior victim position is someone who portrays themselves as the victim in a situation, even when they are the ones at fault. They often blame others for their problems and use their supposed victimhood to manipulate and control others. They may also use this position to gain sympathy and support while avoiding taking responsibility for their actions. This type of behaviour is often associated with narcissistic personality disorder, a mental health condition characterised by an inflated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration.

Here are a few examples of how a narcissist who takes on the morally superior victim position might behave:

  1. A co-worker constantly points out other people’s mistakes and uses them to deflect attention from their mistakes.
  2. A partner who always makes their partner feel guilty for their own mistakes but never takes accountability for their own actions.
  3. A family member who is constantly the centre of attention and bemoans their unfair treatment.
  4. A person who feels entitled to special treatment and privileges also acts like a victim when they don’t get what they want.
  5. A person who aggressively participates in online forums/social media and operates from a position that others have wronged them and gains support from strangers with their story but doesn’t take any responsibility for their own actions.
  6. A manager who always blames their team for a project failure and always takes credit for the success.
  7. A friend who always plays the victim card in social situations, causing their friends to constantly apologise for their own faults.
  8. A person who has a pattern of entering and exiting romantic relationships, always playing the victim of their partners’ supposed mistreatment.
  9. A person who constantly posts on social media about how they have been wronged by others but takes no responsibility for their own actions in the situations.
  10. A student who blames the teachers for their poor grades but never takes accountability for not studying or completing assignments.

Point 5 refers to a person who uses online forums or social media to present themselves as a victim. They might share stories of how they have been wronged by others and gain sympathy and support from strangers. They may even gain a following of people who feel sorry for them and support their “victim” status.

This type of behaviour can be particularly harmful because it allows the person to present a one-sided, biased account of events without any accountability or responsibility for their own actions. They may also feel emboldened by the support they receive online and use it as a way to continue engaging in manipulative or hurtful behaviour.

In addition, this kind of behaviour may also make it difficult for others to separate facts from fiction, and it can be hard to verify if their stories are true. The person in question could also be prone to exaggerating their victimhood, or they may be completely fabricating their stories.

It’s also important to note that the internet and social media can be platforms for people who are genuinely in need of support and understanding for what they have been through, but it’s also a platform for manipulation and exaggeration, which can be harmful to people who believe in their stories and try to help them.

Munchausen’s by Internet

Munchausen’s by Internet (also known as “virtual Munchausen” or “cyber Munchausen”) is a phenomenon in which an individual fabricates or exaggerates medical conditions online to gain attention, sympathy, or medical treatment. The term is derived from Munchausen syndrome, a psychological disorder in which an individual repeatedly and deliberately acts as if they have a physical or mental illness to gain attention and sympathy from others.

This behaviour can cause harm to real people, as some with this behaviour have been known to have been convincing enough for doctors to put other people under treatment for illnesses that do not exist or give treatments that are not required or even detrimental. This is a reminder to always verify the information and be critical of online content.

Some examples of Munchausen by Internet include:

  1. posting on online forums or social media about a serious illness or injury, and then seeking support and attention from other users.
  2. creating multiple online identities to claim to have multiple medical conditions, and then seeking support and attention from others under each identity.
  3. claiming to have a rare or serious illness, and then seeking donations or other forms of financial assistance.
  4. claiming to be the parent or caregiver of a child with a serious illness, and then seeking support and attention from others.

Munchausen’s disorder was first described by a German physician named Richard Asher in 1951. He named the disorder after Baron Münchhausen, an 18th-century German nobleman who was known for telling tall tales about his adventures.

Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder in which the individual acts as if they have a physical or mental illness, with the primary intent of being treated as a patient. This can include self-inflicted injuries, falsifying medical histories, and exaggerating symptoms, often to gain attention, sympathy, or medical treatments.

It’s important to note that the term “Munchausen syndrome” is no longer used in the medical community, as it is considered pejorative; instead, it’s called “Factitious disorder imposed on self”.

Dr Marc Feldman is a prominent psychiatrist and researcher who has studied and written extensively about factitious disorders, including Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen-by-Internet. Dr. Feldman is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Alabama and has been in practice for over 30 years. He is considered one of the leading experts in the field and is known for his work in developing the diagnostic criteria for Factitious Disorder imposed on self and has done research on the phenomenon of Munchausen by Internet. He has published multiple books and articles on the subject and has also been interviewed on news programmes, documentaries and other media outlets as an expert on this topic.

There have been several well-known cases of Munchausen’s by Internet over the years.

  • One example is a woman named “Lori Drew” who, in 2008, posed as a teenage boy on MySpace to flirt with a young girl named Megan Meier, who later committed suicide. Drew was charged with three misdemeanours in the case.
  • “Hope Ybarra” was another example, a woman who claimed to have had cancer, was able to fool many people and gained a lot of support and money in the process, but it was later discovered that it was all a lie.

Neurology

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Andrew T. Austin

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition in which individuals with visual impairments, such as those caused by age-related macular degeneration or cataracts, experience vivid, complex visual hallucinations. The condition was first described by the Swiss naturalist and philosopher Charles Bonnet in 1760, and it is named after him.

Symptoms of CBS can include a wide range of visual hallucinations, such as seeing patterns, geometric shapes, people, animals, or scenes. The hallucinations can be colourful and detailed, and they can change frequently. They may also be accompanied by visual distortion, such as enlargement or reduction of objects.

While CBS is not a disease or a disorder, it is a visual perception disorder; it is a normal response of the brain to the loss of visual input. The reason for this is the brain is wired to experience visual input, and when there is a loss of that input, the brain will try to fill in the gap with hallucinations.

It is a relatively common condition, especially among older adults. It is estimated that as many as one in three individuals with significant visual impairment may experience CBS at some point in their lives. However, many people with CBS do not report their hallucinations, often because they are unsure if what they are experiencing is real or out of fear of being labelled as mentally ill.

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition in which individuals with visual impairments, such as those caused by age-related macular degeneration, experience vivid, complex visual hallucinations. The exact neurological mechanisms underlying CBS are not well understood, but it is thought to be related to changes in the brain’s ability to process visual information.

One theory is that CBS is caused by a phenomenon known as “perception-action dissociation”, in which the brain’s visual system continues to generate images even though the eyes are not receiving any visual input. This can occur due to the brain’s plasticity, which allows it to compensate for lost input by creating its own visual experiences.

Another theory is that CBS may be caused by changes in the balance of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the brain. These chemicals play a role in regulating mood, sleep, and the perception of pain and pleasure, and changes in their levels or activity can affect visual perception.

There are also some studies that suggest that CBS may be related to activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN), a group of brain regions that are active when an individual is not focused on the outside world and instead engaged in internally directed tasks such as mind-wandering, mental imagery or self-referential thoughts.

CBS is not harmful and does not require treatment; however, it can be distressing to the person experiencing it. For this reason, the best way to manage CBS is through education and reassurance. If a person is experiencing CBS, it is important to educate them about the condition and reassure them that the hallucinations they are experiencing are not a sign of a mental illness.

Charles Bonnet syndrome is a condition that causes vivid and complex visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairments. It is not a disease or a disorder but a normal response of the brain to the loss of visual input. Although it is not harmful, it can be distressing, and the best way to manage it is through education and reassurance.

NLP | Neurolinguistic Programming

Alien Hand Syndrome

Andrew T. Austin

Alien hand syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by the loss of voluntary control over one hand, which can perform actions independently of the person’s intent. The hand may grasp, reach for, or release objects and may even interfere with the individual’s attempts to use the unaffected hand. The condition is often accompanied by a sense of the affected hand’s “wilfulness” or “alienness”, hence the name “alien hand syndrome”.

The condition can be caused by a variety of neurological conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. It can also occur as a side effect of surgery to the brain, such as the separation of conjoined twins or the removal of tumours. The exact neural mechanisms that underlie the condition are not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by a disconnection between the affected hand and the brain’s motor and cognitive centres.

The symptoms of alien hand syndrome can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the hand may simply grasp or release objects in an uncoordinated or inappropriate manner. In more severe cases, the hand may actively interfere with the individual’s attempts to use the unaffected hand or even attempt to undo the actions of the unaffected hand. This can lead to difficulties with performing everyday tasks such as dressing or eating and can cause significant social and psychological difficulties for the affected individual.

Treatment of alien hand syndrome is typically focused on managing the underlying neurological condition, if possible, and finding ways to control the affected hand’s movements. Occupational therapy can be helpful in teaching the affected individual how to adapt their activities of daily living and to use the unaffected hand more effectively. There are also some studies that showed that brain stimulation therapy in form of TMS or tDCS may provide relief in some patients.

Alien hand syndrome is a rare but debilitating condition that can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. It is caused by a variety of neurological conditions, and its mechanism is not fully understood. Current treatment focuses on managing the underlying condition and adapting activities of daily living, although there is also some promising research on brain stimulation as a potential treatment. It is an interesting and complex condition, but more research is required to fully comprehend it.

Whilst alien hand syndrome can affect either hand, it is more commonly reported in the left hand. This phenomenon is thought to be because the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls movement and sensation in the right side of the body, is also responsible for language and cognitive functions. Damage or dysfunction in the left hemisphere can therefore disrupt both motor control and cognitive processes, leading to the symptoms of alien hand syndrome.

There are several brain areas that are commonly related to Alien Hand Syndrome and the most commonly affected areas that lead to left-sided AHS are the Corpus Callosum, which connects the two hemispheres, or the Frontal Lobe, which is responsible for voluntary movements and decision-making. Damage to these areas of the brain can disrupt communication between the two hemispheres and cause the affected hand to act independently of the individual’s intent.

There have been a number of well-known cases of alien hand syndrome over the years. One of the most famous cases is that of a patient known as “Dr. P.” Dr. P. was a neurosurgeon who developed alien hand syndrome after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumour. Despite his extensive knowledge of the brain and nervous system, Dr. P. was unable to control the movements of his affected hand and had to retire from his profession.

Another famous case is that of the conjoined twin sisters, Krista and Tatiana Hogan. The twins were born conjoined at the top of their heads and were surgically separated in a highly publicised and complex operation. After the surgery, Krista developed alien hand syndrome in her left hand, which would grasp and release objects without her control.

Several well-known fictional characters also depict alien hand syndrome. One example is the character Leonard Shelby in the movie “Memento”, who suffers from anterograde amnesia, which makes him unable to form new memories, and Alien Hand Syndrome in the same hand, which makes him unable to control it.

It’s worth noting that Alien Hand Syndrome is a rare neurological condition; most cases have been reported among a few individuals. While these cases are certainly intriguing and have contributed to our understanding of the condition, it is important to keep in mind that every case of alien hand syndrome is unique, and the experiences of these individuals do not necessarily reflect the experiences of everyone with the condition.

Psychiatry

Shared Delusions: Folie à deux

Andrew T. Austin

Folie à deux, also known as shared psychosis or induced delusional disorder, is a rare psychological phenomenon where two individuals share the same delusional beliefs. One person, known as the “primary case”, has a pre-existing psychiatric condition that causes them to have delusions, while the other person, known as the “secondary case”, develops similar delusions as a result of their close association with the primary case.

The concept of “folie à deux” was first described in the medical literature in the 19th century, although similar phenomena have likely been observed for centuries. The term “folie à deux” is French and means “madness of two”. It was coined by two French psychiatrists, Jules Baillarger and Jean-Pierre Falret, who described the condition in a series of articles published in the 1840s and 1850s. They observed that delusions could be transmitted from one person to another and that this type of delusion could occur within the context of a close interpersonal relationship. Baillarger and Falret’s work on folie à deux laid the foundation for our current understanding of the condition.

There have been several documented cases of folie à deux throughout history. One famous example is the “Darling Buds of May” case, which took place in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. In this case, a husband and wife both developed delusions that they were being poisoned by their neighbours. Despite being presented with evidence to the contrary, they remained convinced of their delusions and even attempted to flee the country to escape the supposed poisoning.

Another example of folie à deux occurred in 2003, when a mother and daughter in New York City developed delusions that they were being targeted by the FBI and other government agencies. The mother, who had a history of mental illness, was the primary case, and her daughter developed the same delusions after spending a significant amount of time with her mother and being exposed to her beliefs. The two women went so far as to barricade themselves in their apartment, believing that the government was trying to break in and harm them.

It’s important to note that folie à deux is a rare condition and typically occurs in the context of a close interpersonal relationship, such as a romantic relationship or a familial relationship. It is usually treated by separating the individuals and providing the secondary case with psychological treatment to address their delusions.

Folie à deux is a unique and fascinating psychological phenomenon that highlights the power of belief and the influence that one person can have on another. It is important for mental health professionals to be aware of this condition and to intervene as needed to help individuals break free from shared delusions.

Culture and Counter Culture

Neurodivergence

Andrew T. Austin

When I worked in residential care, “autism” referred to the severely affected individuals who were entirely dependent on various levels of care. These were individuals with profound disabilities in communication, cognition and any form of human interaction.

Some of these unfortunates required secure settings and full-time trained staff. The delivered care that I saw was always excellent, but sadly, stories of abuse abound.

One thing the public is rarely aware of is that secure units are virtually empty of all throwable objects, and “care” is largely reduced to “control” because there is very little else that can be done.

Then things got rebranded. We were told that these people were “learning disabled” and that we had to refer to them as “people with learning disabilities,” and that community integration was key to their survival. This program utterly failed for two main reasons. The public wanted no integration with them, and they either wanted no integration with the public or were utterly incapable of it. The resources (financial as well as neurological) to make this happen were simply never available.

Instead, it was the notion of autism that got integrated, where the people did not.

And now, like so many other real conditions that affect real people, it’s become the latest fad, a social toy, a new portion of identity politics, and one big social justice movement bandwagon for so many people who have nothing wrong with them to jump on and shout about.