On the definition of delusion of grandeur

[pmb_phy]

On the definition of "delusion of grandeur"

I doctors have gone through great lengths to convince me that had must stay on an anti-depressant for the now until the foreseeable future. To me this is no problem since its like putting a bandaide on a cut. Unfortunately the only place which was readily accessable to me demanded that I see a therapist for a while before I get assinged a psychiatrist (i.e. physician which specializes in psyche meds etc.). I didn't mind since the problems life was heaping on my shoulders was and is more than any human should be required to carry. So it was nice .. for a while. I've had many other problems that needed to be solved since it was a potential threat to my life and well being in the future. She certainly wasn't willing to solve it nor was anyone that I knew of even willing to listen. So when I finally arrived at a cute (but undoable at that moment) solution I explained it to here iin a manner like this

I had an idea of how to solve that problem I mentioned before. Now let me finish before you get that look on your face which says "Pete's lost it.." I explained the solution and then stated in no uncertain terms that the chances of me actually being able to cross the obstacles in my path to do this are ridiculously small. So don't get the idea that I believe I could do it. But if I do nothing the chances of me solving this problem is zero. If I splurge on a stamp and mail the letter then my chances go from 0 to 1 in a million. Much better. But if you recall, the chances of winning the lottery jackpot are even smaller and yet I've paid more money with nobody insulting me for it.

The following weak when I was discharged from the hospital from a horrible panic attack I went to see her and explained to her that I'm not 100% at the top of my game and my memory sucks. So keep that in mind. In a short while she started yelling at me about that discussion a few days ago (describe above) and then she claimed that I was having "delusions of grandeur." I seriously doubt that she even knows the definition of that term. She'd force me to sit there while she yelled in what I took as a condescending voice. Then she absolutely refused to let me speak so I could explain who she messed up big time. Needless to say that I think she is a terrible therapist now and not worth speaking to again.

But that definition is pathetic. Did Einstein have delusions of grandeur? Obviously the definition is lacking. One must not forget that the belief must be proved by the therapist to be wrong. And who's she going to try to convince? It makes no difference now since I have zero respect for a therapist who can loose her cool and refuse to listen to their patient.

Thoughts on proper definition of "delusion of grandeur"?

Thanks

Pete

 

[selfAdjoint]

Einstein didn't blow about how great he was, apparently not even to himself. According to reports, he actually enjoyed his time in the patent office, got a promotion, and said it had influenced his thinking about physical problems. Meanwhile he had all these ideas about various topics (Lorentz transformations, the reality of atoms, Planck's radiation quantum, etc.) and he buckled down and wrote them up in scientifically acceptible form and submitted them to the leading physics journal in the German speaking region. They were accepted and the rest is history. Einstein certainly had great confidence in his conclusions, but this wouuldn't in my opinion be a delusion of grandeur; for one thing, as it turned out, it wasn't a delusion.

 

[pmb_phy]

Einstein didn't blow about how great he was, apparently not even to himself. According to reports, he actually enjoyed his time in the patent office, got a promotion, and said it had influenced his thinking about physical problems. Meanwhile he had all these ideas about various topics (Lorentz transformations, the reality of atoms, Planck's radiation quantum, etc.) and he buckled down and wrote them up in scientifically acceptible form and submitted them to the leading physics journal in the German speaking region. They were accepted and the rest is history. Einstein certainly had great confidence in his conclusions, but this wouuldn't in my opinion be a delusion of grandeur; for one thing, as it turned out, it wasn't a delusion.

I think you got the wrong idea about this thread. Nothing about my experiences has anything to do about "blowing" how great someone is/was. In my case I did my best to not discuss things I'm working on. It was later forced out of me when I was having a panic/anxiety attack and my social worker and psychiciatrist forced me into talking about what I told my therapist. Of course they too refused to listen. They could only make accusations.

Let's not turn this thread into a "blowing" discussion about how some people might brag about what their doing. We are strictly speaking about what I posted on.

Thanks and sorry if my post was confusing.

Pete

 

[EnumaElish]

If your account is accurate then I don't blame you for not wanting to see that therapist again. But you may have to see a therapist until you get a chance to see a psychiatrist, who is the only person who can prescribe or switch medicines and adjust the dosage. BTW, how are you coping with the medication? Has anyone talked to you abaout weight management?

 

[pmb_phy]

If your account is accurate then I don't blame you for not wanting to see that therapist again.

Thanks! We all have difficult things in our lives we must face and we most need people to talk to during those times. But that's what friends are for. And the friends I have left after the cancer hit are excellant people. I'm proud to be considered amoung their friends!

But you may have to see a therapist until you get a chance to see a psychiatrist, ...

I think I've had enough of them. I tried calling another one. I'm under the effects of the anti-anxiety meds. This causes memory blackouts in some people and I'm one of those people who always gets the small fraction of horrible effects! In the mean time I called a psychologist my PCP recommended. He said I saw him already. But it must have been during a black out. He indicated on my message machine that he wouldn't see me and I should go back to that therapist. No way Jose. I was hurt and pissed at first. Then it occurred to me that I'm tired of these morons and I'm not about to base my self image on what they want it to be. Cripes! I might have to lower myself from a physicist to a physician.

BTW, how are you coping with the medication? Has anyone talked to you abaout weight management?

The effexor is gone from my system but my brain chemistry will take longer to revert to the pre-effexor state. About a month. Until that I have Xanax incase a panic/anxiety attack hits.

Weight management huh? I'm cautious about what I eat. I try to eat very very healthy. What do you have in mind?

Thanks Muchas!

Pete

ps - There is another more accurate definition of "delusions of grandeur." It states

delusions of grandeur - a delusion (common in paranoia) that you are much greater and more powerful and influential than you really are.

Well to be honest how could "This will be near impossible to work" be taken to be greater or more powerful/influential than I am?
People always misunderestimate the power they have. People rarely write their congressman for fear of being ignored or thinking "Who am I to think I can change anything?"

To all physicists in training - Please ween yourself out of that mode of thinking. Your job in the future will be to do very hard things which are impossible for others to do.

 

[pmb_phy]

Darn it. I was just told that I was calling family members and being a total pain in the ass. I have zero recollection of those events and they are out of character for me.

I'm lost and confused.

Pete

 

[learningphysics]

Darn it. I was just told that I was calling family members and being a total pain in the ass. I have zero recollection of those events and they are out of character for me.

I'm lost and confused.

Pete

Pete, can you talk to your family members and explain the situation? Let everyone in your circle know what's going on regarding the blackouts.

 

[pmb_phy]

Pete, can you talk to your family members and explain the situation? Let everyone in your circle know what's going on regarding the blackouts.

I called and left a message. But this was someone I hadn't even thought about for a very long time. It was totally bizzare!

 

[EnumaElish]

Weight management huh? I'm cautious about what I eat. I try to eat very very healthy. What do you have in mind?

I am not a physician but as far as I know, weight gain is a common side effect of antidepressants. A weight gain of 10-20 lbs over a few months (even weeks) is not at all unusual.

And as far as I am aware, suddenly stopping to take antideps. or anti anxiety meds can cause mild to serious side effects, including psychological effects. You can talk to a PCP about medicine-related issues until you get to see a psychiatrist. Also Effexor has this https://j.ovm1.net/AHP1/effexor/Dialogues/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fAHP1%2feffexor%2fDialogues%2fminisite%2findex.aspx%3fat%3d06&at=06 that anyone can register to and receive online support.

 

[hypatia]

I hope your world finds even ground for you, soon. I'm glad you have made good friends, who understand what you are going through. They will be your true treasures in all of this.
My 2 cents? I wouldn't go back to her either.

 

[Evo]

I think that if everyone (your therapist, your psychiatrist & your social worker) are all telling you the same thing, they may be right. It may not be what you want to hear, but you need serious help, and telling you to ignore what everyone with medical training is telling you may hurt you even more than facing the truth.

 

[Moonbear]

I think that if everyone (your therapist, your psychiatrist & your social worker) are all telling you the same thing, they may be right. It may not be what you want to hear, but you need serious help, and telling you to ignore what everyone with medical training is telling you may hurt you even more than facing the truth.

I would have to agree with Evo's advice, especially if you're having blackouts and people are reporting that you've been doing things very uncharacteristic during those black-outs. It's possible your recollection of the session is faulty under those circumstances. Why is your former therapist unwilling to see you? Do you become hostile, combative, or otherwise uncooperative during your sessions? Have you blacked out during a session? Maybe you need to request that appointment with a psychiatrist be moved up sooner rather than later so they can get your medications adjusted. What you're describing sounds far more complicated than just requiring an antidepressant and seeing a therapist. Are you also seeing a neurologist?

 

[zoobyshoe]

Pete, this sounds like complex-partial seizures to me. During these episodes people usually do pointless, aimless things, but some do apparently purposfull activities for which they later have no recollection. I really suggest you see a neurologist and have an EEG done.

The other thing is that between seizures people with complex partial epilepsy can often manifest "difficult" behavior as their brain tries to recover from the episode. They're often highly emotional, erratic, and irritable, and this could easily be misdiagnosed by a psychiatrist as some kind of personality disorder.

Something like 48% of all epileptics also suffer from clinical depression.

I don't know of any mental illness in the DSM that accounts for the kind of blackouts you described. The onl thing I know of which fits is complex-partial seizures, (although there might be something I've never heard of).