posted on May 9, 2002 10:24:20 PM newParanoid Schizophrenia. (Shaking head.) If the kid is paranoid, based on what we *know* so far, it's from all the pot he's been smoking. What do you carry in your wallet, one of those pocket guides to psychiatric diagnoses?
Sort of. I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about 20 years ago. I have also done "a little" independent study. I am very familiar with what you refer to as "paranoid" thinking. More than that, I really can't say.
The symptoms vary, but (again) considering the age (it usually appears without warning in the early 20s) and the delusional behavior, that would be my guess. Schizophrenia may come on as a result of genetics, trauma, drugs, a combination, or who knows what.
My layman's diagnosis of the kid's condition is irrelevant. It is my OPINION that he is seriously disturbed.
posted on May 10, 2002 10:39:48 AM new
Well as much as I hate to say this....the kid had one thing right in his letters. The government does use our fear of dying to control us and take away our freedoms. What else would they be doing with all this stuff "to keep us safe". We are losing rights and freedoms right and left since 9-11. Why do we not speak out against what Ashcroft does? Because anything,ANYTHING to keep us safe. Our forefathers fought and died to keep our freedoms.We aren't willing to even speak up as we lose them. Why?Because we want to be safe.
posted on May 10, 2002 11:20:21 AM new
Well, actually people DO speak out against what they perceive as the potential loss of civil liberties. Plenty have spoken out through newspaper editorials, political activism, etc. I haven't heard of anyone being dragged off to jail for exercising free speech. That said, there are some people who don't speak out because they don't believe that our civil liberties are in danger. I suppose it all depends on the perception.
Y'know, we are pretty lucky to live in a democratic society ruled by a secular government. Think if you had the misfortune of being born in Saudi Arabia, or worse a WOMAN born in Saudi Arabia or any country ruled by religious or Sharia law. Eeew!
