Eeriest mental disorders that can give anyone heebie-jeebies!
Not many are aware of the fact that mental disorders can go to an extent where we can never revisit back! Let’s assume you get a feeling that your significant other is a hoaxer and can anguish you any moment, it’s so grave!
It is usually believed that mental disorders are just limited to psychology and behavior, but how far is it true? People tend to transform physically too, this is not just mind game; it’s something essentially related to the change in body gesture, behavior, attitude, personality and of course, mentally. Victims no longer possess their old characteristics; they completely change to become something which they never thought of to be!
The scariest fact is that people change unknowingly thinking that this is how their personality is and was while none noticed. But, they don’t have the slightest of idea that they are altered to someone new, and they, have not noticed the fact.
Fortunately, there are only a handful of people bearing the brunt. I will highlight some of the weirdest mental disorders which will startle you:
Apotemnophilia: It is a neurological disorder which is also known as Body Integrity Disorder and Amputee Identity. People suffering from this disorder have an irresistible desire to amputate healthy parts of their body. This petrifying disorder is caused due to the damage spurred to the right parietal lobe of the brain. Doctors do not involve in amputating healthy organs, some victims are compelled to amputate their organs.
Real-life case: As mentioned by The Irish Times, a 34-year-old woman wanted to be deaf and gave a reason for being over sensitive to noise and would often use cotton wool dipped in oil to plug her ears on a daily basis.
Capgras Delusion: In this disorder, victims get the illusion of doubles and think people around them are replaced by shams. For instance, a woman might begin to feel her husband is an identical imposter and is trying to stab her. Capgras is a very rare disorder and is prominently found in people who have been diagnosed with dementia, schizophrenia, or epilepsy.
Real-life case: Mary, who was aged 40, was diagnosed with this disorder and claimed that her 9-year-old daughter Sarah had been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services and replaced by an imposter. She also was determinant about having twins and the hospital record showed only Sarah’s birth. (Source: Psychiatric Times)
Factitious Disorder: Many people react in fear or apprehension when they first encounter a potential cold or some kind of illness, it’s not the same with those affected with Factitious Disorder. The affected people want to be sick! Isn’t it cryptic?! In actuality, the victims will be all fine, but they pretend to be sick and are obsessed with being ill.
Real-life case: A 65-year-old man payed a visit to a psychiatric clinic with complaints of being disinterested in daily activities and is always prone to mood shifts. He reported that he was all fine just 2 years back and started seeing episodes of Factitious disorder right after his son’s demise.
In addition to the mental pain, he also had physical problems like neck pain, headache, elevated abdominal pain alongside vomiting, constipation, shortness of breath, and much more. He avoided talking about what triggered his vomiting or other somatic complaints but discussed his past life in detail. (Source: NCBI)
Stendhal Syndrome: This kind of illness is a psychosomatic illness, and this is, fortunately, just temporary. The victim is susceptible to this syndrome when they are exposed to a whole room of beautiful art pieces or in any environment which is characterized by excess beauty!
“Roughly speaking, the Stendhal syndrome can be defined as the psychosomatic [mental and physical] response experienced while facing esthetic beauty but not natural beauty — beauty as a [human] construct, so art,” Dr. Camilletti explained. Graziella Magherini was the first one to describe this phenomenon in her book ‘La syndrome di Stendhal’. She categorized three symptoms in people who suffer from this disorder:
• Altered perception of sounds or colors, as well as an increased sense of anxiety, guilt, or persecution • Depressive anxiety, a sense of inadequacy, or, conversely, a sense of euphoria or omnipotence • Panic attacks and physiological symptoms of heightened anxiety, such as chest pain
Final say!
Psychological disorder is something very difficult to acknowledge, victims are usually jittery to bring forth their suffering, and it is the responsibility of their family and friends to know the pain they are enduring by having a close look at the change in their personality.
Ways to deal with the afflicted patients: • Cultivate a listening habit and stop making judgments and focus on what they want from you • Reassure them that you will be on their side whenever needed • Ask if they need psychiatric assistance • Talk about well-being • Let them share anything, just don’t force them to tell everything