I ask myself how come I struggled to find a counsellor, therapist or mental health professional who could understand my problems and deliver an effective, lasting treatment which I felt really helped ME?
[First read about MBTI and Big 5]
I'm noticing the difference between happy INTJs and unhappy ones seems to come down to their Big 5 Emotional stability score. I believe the correlation between these results identifies a very specific sub group of individuals who will all experience very similar problems in life and I begin wondering if there is a specific method for helping these types of INTJs to feel happy and deal with problems? Psychology based therapy generally seems to use a "one size fits all" approach, and I've not heard of treatments which are determined and tailored by assessing a combined MBTI and Big 5 score. At this moment, I believe constructing a treatment model with this in mind could make a big difference in how effective therapy and help is to certain individuals.
Currently most therapists assess patients with mood rating tests and leave it at that. Sure- that shows how depressed or anxious someone is, or even filter out issues like compulsive behaviour, but they do not then seem to have a method for treating different personalities from the start, and instead attempt to use a universal rule for treating each patient, or try to figure out how that patient thinks over several sessions, which could be a waste of time and resources. Even after several sessions, that doesn't mean a therapist would have figured out their patient's personality, or even know what to do to specifically treat their personality type. I don't have the answers for treatments for different types, or even my own, but I have learned that people with my personality type will not feel comfortable with someone who can not comprehend our way of thinking, seeing the world and communicating. I wonder if this contributes to why therapy is not always effective and perhaps such assessments could lay the ground work for generally delivering an improved and more efficient mental health service?
Basically- how about treating patients after first assessing their general personality type and using a specific structure of treatment for that type?
If only a psychology team in a hospital could research my idea further to check it's valid, work out different therapy strategies for the different personality types and then trial this assessment method to see if it had a positive impact.
There may still be a universal rule which would effectively treat nearly all different personality types in one hit, but certainly such a therapy method does not seem to be recognised and used on a wide scale as far am I know. I was informed that a certain scientific test (I'm unable to cite a reference now) proved that a psychotherapist's treatment is as effective OR LESS than a typical housewife with no experience in psychology and treating patients.
I'll write more about Anthony Robbins later, but as an example, I believe if the NHS were to treat patients by investing in one his seminars filled with 1000 patients suffering with depression, mood problems, negativity etc, it would be more effective than a dozen individual therapy sessions for each patient. Something needs to change with the current mental health service BIG TIME, that's for sure!
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Sunday 25 March 2012
The INTJ Forum
I've been spending time visiting the INTJ Forum over the last year. I basically use it as a soundboard for any semi-intelligent opinions I might have. Most of the members are smart and I respect that. My intelligent side feels at home there :) I can join in a really interesting, deep discussion about 'Free will' or debate the pros and cons of democracy with people able to post well thought out and valid arguments (most of the time). I've learned a lot there. It's opened my mind up and helped me make better conclusions about the world. INTJs generally have quite strong opinions which are often very different yet also very valid. It's such a refreshing contrast to typical dumb TV, celebrity gossip and the majority of people I've met and spoke to over my life time.
I want to add some of my posts and replies to the blog for reference. Also, sometimes I say something which, for me, is pretty fucking smart and I guess I'm kinda proud of such observations and statements :D
I want to add some of my posts and replies to the blog for reference. Also, sometimes I say something which, for me, is pretty fucking smart and I guess I'm kinda proud of such observations and statements :D
Friday 9 March 2012
What's wrong with my brain?
There's so many syndromes, mental disorders and ailments out there which I recognise and could be classed as. I'm sure pretty much every single human being has at least one or two! Here are a few I've identified of myself.
In order or relevance:
bi-polor depression, panic attacks, multiple personalities, the personality disorders: boarder line, antisocial, narcissistic, schizoid, PTS, body dysmorphic disorder, sleep disorders - to name a few.
I guess to have 15 items on a list like this is pretty worrying! Although for a lot of them you can't have one without the other, so in actual fact you could say I'm only inflicted with 5 or 6 tops. Having this kinda insight is always a good start and makes me feel a little better to know I'm not the only person dealing with these problems. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who have ended up isolating themselves and living a very limited lifestyle through no fault of their own. The moral do-gooder in me wants to support similar people! And also want to be supported in the same way as sufferers of more obvious mental health problems or physical conditions.
Perhaps these ailments are directly what's been effecting my mood? I tried plotting out how I've been feeling recently, and this pretty much sums up recent years too! I want to get to that green state, but currently spending too much time well under a decent base mood, so will have a long way to go to get there! At least it's insightful to see a visual representation of how I feel and in comparison with other people around me.
In order or relevance:
- Atypical Depression
- AvPD [Avoidant personality disorder]
- Atychiphobia [phobia of failure]
- Social Anxiety & Social Phobia
- Existential Anxiety
- Thanatophobia [phobia of death]
- GAD [Generalized Anxiety Disorder]
- Eating Disorder
- Major / Clinical Depressive Disorder
- Dysthymia & Chronic Depression (Long term)
- Circadian Rhythm Disorder/s
- Mild Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- SAD [Seasonal Effect Disorder]
- A small degree of OCD and Autism
- A small degree of Dependant Personality Disorder
bi-polor depression, panic attacks, multiple personalities, the personality disorders: boarder line, antisocial, narcissistic, schizoid, PTS, body dysmorphic disorder, sleep disorders - to name a few.
I guess to have 15 items on a list like this is pretty worrying! Although for a lot of them you can't have one without the other, so in actual fact you could say I'm only inflicted with 5 or 6 tops. Having this kinda insight is always a good start and makes me feel a little better to know I'm not the only person dealing with these problems. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who have ended up isolating themselves and living a very limited lifestyle through no fault of their own. The moral do-gooder in me wants to support similar people! And also want to be supported in the same way as sufferers of more obvious mental health problems or physical conditions.
Perhaps these ailments are directly what's been effecting my mood? I tried plotting out how I've been feeling recently, and this pretty much sums up recent years too! I want to get to that green state, but currently spending too much time well under a decent base mood, so will have a long way to go to get there! At least it's insightful to see a visual representation of how I feel and in comparison with other people around me.
Sunday 4 March 2012
Meeting ladies off the internet
#1 Miss P
2pm: I met with a fellow depression & anxiety sufferer from the site Nolongerlonely.com. She was 6 years older and lives two hours away. Originally from Slovakia, she's lived in the UK for 10 years. It's always a tiny bit unsettling when I talk to non-natives as I suspect certain words and jokes might get lost in translation. I try to be conscious of this and also speak a little slower and more clearly.
Before we met I never saw her as potential girlfriend material and after meeting that was definitely confirmed. I guess she might like me in that way, but for me there wasn't even a hint of attraction there. Our issues were actually very similar though and it was a relief to chat to someone about mental health issues who had tried near as much to resolve their problems and was going through the same thing. A total contrast to previous group therapy sessions where everyone else was all so different. I suspected she was also an INJT/P like myself with a similar Big 5/SLOAN. I'll have to ask her MBTI score in an email some time.
Overall, it was great to get out the house and meet someone new. It was good that we could relate on the mental health front and I imagine we'll meet again. In the mean time, it might be good to email and discuss our progress (or lack of). I'm not sure what her plans are to change as she has a lot of genuine excuses and overall seems to have less opportunity than I do. At least I have my parent's support, some money behind me, get to see my bro for a movie or gaming session once a week. Plus I feel that my social skills and lifestyle standards are more advanced than her, making things a little easier for me. In fact she's very similar to my buddy Mr G, but perhaps more mature and a little more intelligent? The fact that she is similar means that I probably couldn't expect to relate fully, have a proper laugh with or experience too much positivity. I'm all too aware how I can only cope with so much bitching and 'life's shit' before I start feeling really down!
Kudos: Made the effort to meet someone new and made a new friend, if not acquaintance.
#2 Miss V
8pm: I met with a typical, "normal" girl from Plentyoffish. She was 6 years younger and lives about 30 minutes away. She seemed really nice- reasonably mature, intelligent and generally had all her shit together. She presented herself well and I liked the way she dressed! We had a few things in common but nothing like my best friend E, which is always disappointing. 99.9% of women aren't gonna have as much in common with me as I'd ideally like, so it's something I'm trying to come to terms with and not get caught up trying to look for that illusive 0.1% who totally get me and vice versa.
On the surface we seem pretty well matched so in theory she'd make a suitable girlfriend! The date went well, but I really don't know if she would consider it 'well' enough to want to see me again. I've been on 4 or 5 other dates in the past which also went 'well', but didn't end up amounting to anything, so I'm trying to downplay her value, the experience and not raise my hopes. I didn't do any of the 'kino' or playful banter all the dating experts would advise on. To be honest, I just didn't have the balls and also wouldn't know how to work that into my semi-dry, semi-intellectual persona. If it went to a second date in a week or two, I'd need to make that my number 1 priority, risk the pulling back or rejection and put less importance in what I say for example.
Overall it was another move in a positive reaction. I'm exhausted from from all the social contact, but was worth the effort. It makes me appreciate the holes in my 'game' and gave me an opportunity to interact with the outside world instead of hiding away playing games or watching films. Kudos!
2pm: I met with a fellow depression & anxiety sufferer from the site Nolongerlonely.com. She was 6 years older and lives two hours away. Originally from Slovakia, she's lived in the UK for 10 years. It's always a tiny bit unsettling when I talk to non-natives as I suspect certain words and jokes might get lost in translation. I try to be conscious of this and also speak a little slower and more clearly.
Before we met I never saw her as potential girlfriend material and after meeting that was definitely confirmed. I guess she might like me in that way, but for me there wasn't even a hint of attraction there. Our issues were actually very similar though and it was a relief to chat to someone about mental health issues who had tried near as much to resolve their problems and was going through the same thing. A total contrast to previous group therapy sessions where everyone else was all so different. I suspected she was also an INJT/P like myself with a similar Big 5/SLOAN. I'll have to ask her MBTI score in an email some time.
Overall, it was great to get out the house and meet someone new. It was good that we could relate on the mental health front and I imagine we'll meet again. In the mean time, it might be good to email and discuss our progress (or lack of). I'm not sure what her plans are to change as she has a lot of genuine excuses and overall seems to have less opportunity than I do. At least I have my parent's support, some money behind me, get to see my bro for a movie or gaming session once a week. Plus I feel that my social skills and lifestyle standards are more advanced than her, making things a little easier for me. In fact she's very similar to my buddy Mr G, but perhaps more mature and a little more intelligent? The fact that she is similar means that I probably couldn't expect to relate fully, have a proper laugh with or experience too much positivity. I'm all too aware how I can only cope with so much bitching and 'life's shit' before I start feeling really down!
Kudos: Made the effort to meet someone new and made a new friend, if not acquaintance.
#2 Miss V
8pm: I met with a typical, "normal" girl from Plentyoffish. She was 6 years younger and lives about 30 minutes away. She seemed really nice- reasonably mature, intelligent and generally had all her shit together. She presented herself well and I liked the way she dressed! We had a few things in common but nothing like my best friend E, which is always disappointing. 99.9% of women aren't gonna have as much in common with me as I'd ideally like, so it's something I'm trying to come to terms with and not get caught up trying to look for that illusive 0.1% who totally get me and vice versa.
On the surface we seem pretty well matched so in theory she'd make a suitable girlfriend! The date went well, but I really don't know if she would consider it 'well' enough to want to see me again. I've been on 4 or 5 other dates in the past which also went 'well', but didn't end up amounting to anything, so I'm trying to downplay her value, the experience and not raise my hopes. I didn't do any of the 'kino' or playful banter all the dating experts would advise on. To be honest, I just didn't have the balls and also wouldn't know how to work that into my semi-dry, semi-intellectual persona. If it went to a second date in a week or two, I'd need to make that my number 1 priority, risk the pulling back or rejection and put less importance in what I say for example.
Overall it was another move in a positive reaction. I'm exhausted from from all the social contact, but was worth the effort. It makes me appreciate the holes in my 'game' and gave me an opportunity to interact with the outside world instead of hiding away playing games or watching films. Kudos!
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