Category Archives: Detours

Psychological evasions that lead us away from the truth

Defense Mechanisms IV: “Thinking”

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Joseph Burgo

The precocious development of verbal thought can function as a defense against unbearable emotional chaos; in later life, this kind of “thinking” often takes on a life of its own, can feel persecutory and underlies problems with insomnia. Continue reading →

Posted in Defense Mechanisms, Detours, Unbearable Emotion | 35 Comments

Narcissistic Rage and the Sense of Entitlement

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Joseph Burgo

A sense of entitlement, along with the expectation that life should be much easier and less frustrating than it actually is, often lies behind the expression of narcissistic rage, a feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and other superficially discrete categories of diagnosis. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Detours, Shame/Narcissism | 103 Comments

The Role of Helplessness in PTSD Symptoms and Other Disorders

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Joseph Burgo

The experience of helplessness in the face of trauma plays a central role in post traumatic stress disorder and the development of ptsd symptoms, but also has an impact on the genesis of other psychological disorders and maladaptive character traits. Continue reading →

Posted in Defense Mechanisms, Detours, Unbearable Emotion | 27 Comments

“Psychiatric Meds Are Like Insulin for Diabetes” (Big Lie #3)

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Joseph Burgo

Contrary to what we have been led to believe, psychiatric medications do not rectify a chemical imbalance in your brain but instead create one; the body then adapts to this imbalance, and when drug use is discontinued, the physical response is akin to withdrawal symptoms. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression and Bipolar Disorder, Detours, Points of Departure, The Medicalization of Mental Health | Tagged , , | 40 Comments

The Misuses of Sexual Excitement

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Joseph Burgo

Sexual excitement, while crucial for the early stages of a romance, can be abused as a way to avoid true intimacy. Continue reading →

Posted in Defense Mechanisms, Detours, Sexuality | Tagged , , | 3 Comments