[GenManagerS]

This is going to sound like a horribley ignorant question but I mean it most genuinely: do you ever worry that you may have a psychotic episode whilst using an iato or bokken? Or has this ever happened and how was it dealt with?

Over the weekend this thread and the word psychotic came to mind a few times. When we hear the word psychotic, we (or at least I) automatically associate it with psychotic rage and violence. The techincal term really doesn't have any association with violence, but rather with the the person's mind losing touch with reality. For all intents and purposes when they've gone psychotic they're body is here but their mind is on two channels--90% wonka land, 10% reality (again symptoms vary by individual and case, but that's the average I came up with by conversation with a person during a pyschotic break).

Snippet from the National Institute of Mental Health: "Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression."

The symptoms aren't much different from the crazed drunk lunatic or the high drug user, except they aren't drinking or using drugs. They can appear very calm and normal, but once they start talking (or some of physical ticks start up) you can tell they're just not right.

is Bipolar a dangerous condition?

Mostly to themselves and the depressive swings can be more dangerous (suicide). I feel for the boyfriend. It's a tough ride especially with someone you care about. At the extreme you can't deal with them, they may have no hold on reality, and I mean seriously, who actually knows the procedure to have someone committed if they need it?

In the incredibly rare event that a person you're living with has completely lost touch with reality and you are trying to help them (medication, trip to the doctor, etc), they may believe you are trying to harm them, and try to protect themselves. That can get really odd--been there--been the meat shield between 2 relatives when it went downhill. Had we all not been completely calm and non-threatening even when the person got violent, it could have been bad. It's amazing that you can actually somehow get through all the insanity, and they'll let you help them. Inside they really want to be better and normal, but they just can't... It is my sincere wish that no one ever experience this!

My only disappointment is I am finding is this post's replies and viewings are low (in my opinion). No one has even rated it. This thread's goal is to be a good resource. I think sincerely discussing roles and having them on record like this will help students, instructors, and dojo's out for a long time to come. (And prevent naive cruelty.)

I am however very elated by the forthright sincere candor that this thread received. I'll be reading from time to time. Please still post questions related to the subject. I'm sure others have information and experiences. Maybe DarQik can help?

Of course, it's not a hot topic. Mental illness is often stigmatic--if I don't know about it, it won't hurt me... But it's not been ignored or treated to disrespect or petty joking. I'm chiming in because I've had a up-close view of problem at the extreme end. I really feel for the afflicted, because they really can't do anything about it. Once the brain says "No more! I can't take it!" and snaps, they're out of control. They couldn't deal with whatever it was, and now they need someone else to step in, make them safe, and help them recover. Recovery is also quite painful as one's life can be pretty much burned down like a house. By the time a semblance of normal is returned everything can be gone--job, school, friends, savings, etc. It can be very hard to get going again. If you have friends and family to help you through, you are very fortunate!


I really don't see it as a big deal. Because most of the time they will seem like another lunatic kenshi-anime fan or someone who's drunk. Most of us have learned things to do (calm them, redirect them, etc) and not to do (dangerous sporting activities). Kendo can also be pretty harsh to the ego if one expects to be great, so repeat visits aren't likely since manics tend to protect that ego.

Recovering people typically are looking for a safe place and are wary of things that make them feel unsafe to save themself more problems. Combatative sports or martial arts aren't seen by many as a safe place. The extremes are rarely ever seen in public, unless they've escaped from home to the "second home". Family, friends, and roommates are usually on the front line struggling to survive and for them that means getting the person help, not getting them out to activities.