Prophets, Priests, Kings and CEOs - Can the Problem Be Mental Illness?

The world is full of strange, intimidating andlast for several hours
unfortunately powerful and influential people who justImpulsive behavior
may be mentally ill. It seems that some of the veryDrug or alcohol abuse
personal traits they possess to rise, on the backs ofFeelings of low self-worth
their peers, lead to one disaster after the another.Unstable relationships with friends, family, and
They can build a business, company, organization andboyfriends/girlfriendsIt would help us understand why
or become a powerful politician or charismatic Pastor,you yell all the time, or are so damn negative in
only to destroy it and others in the process. If theysermons about everyone and everything on this
don't destroy it, they thrive on the drama they inflictbeautiful planet. It might even help us to understand
upon those who simply can't understand what thewhy you disappear on trips for weeks at a time on
hell is wrong with the boss, pastor, dad or politician,"missionary" trips, or visits with brethren we have
that they say and do the things they do? They usenever heard of in places we have to look up. Or if
and abuse people for their own personal ends andyou possess a...Histrionic Personality Disorder?People
the degree they do this can be both stunning andwith histrionic personality disorder are constant
stupid.For example. If you are troubled by.....Paranoidattention seekers. They need to be the center of
Personality DisorderParanoid personality disorder isattention all the time, often interrupting others in
characterized by a distrust of others anda constantorder to dominate the conversation. They use
suspicion that people around you have sinistergrandiose language to describe everyday events and
motives. People with this disorder tend to haveseek constant praise. They may dress proactively or
excessive trust in their own knowledge and abilitiesexaggerate illnesses in order to gain attention.
and usually avoid close relationships. They search forHistrionics also tend to exaggerate friendships and
hidden meanings in everything and read hostilerelationships, believing that everyone loves them.
intentions into the actions of others. They are quickThey are often manipulative.Symptoms of Histrionic
to challenge the loyalties of friends and loved onesPersonality Disorder:Dresses or acts provocatively
and often appear cold and distant. They usually shiftRapidly-shifting and shallow emotions
blame to other people and tend to carry longExaggerates friendships
grudges.Paranoid Personality Disorder:Unwillingness toOverly-dramatic, occasionally theatrical speech
forgive perceived insultseasily influenced; highly suggestibleWhoa...then we
Excessive sensitivity to setbackswould really understand why nothing we say is good
Distrustfulness and excessive self-relianceenough or right and why you make such mountains
Projection of blame onto othersout of our molehills. We might also understand why
Consumed by anticipation of betrayalyou think the whole world is just amazed at your
Combative and tenacious adherence to personalwonderful self....and dress like a slut with DRAMA
rightsunending! Or if you possess a ...Narcissistic Personality
Relentlessly suspiciousThen we'd know why you areDisorder?Narcissistic personality disorder is
so cold to us after a perceived rejection of yourcharacterized by self-centeredness. Like histrionic
inspired truth, or why you get so angry when thingsdisorder, people with this disorder seek attention and
just don't work out as you supposed they should.praise. They exaggerate their achievements,
We'd also understand why everything is always OURexpecting others to recognize them as being superior.
fault and why you think we are always talking aboutThey tend to be choosy about picking friends, since
you behind your back. Or if you possessthey believe that not just anyone is worthy of being
a...Personality Disorder?Many believe that schizotypaltheir friend. Narcissists tend to make good first
personality disorder represents mild schizophrenia. Theimpressions, yet have difficulty maintaining long-lasting
disorder is characterized by odd forms of thinkingrelationships. They are generally uninterested in the
and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder oftenfeelings of others and may take advantage of
seek isolation from others. They sometimes believethem.Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality
to have extra sensory ability or that unrelatedDisorder:Requires excessive praise and admiration
events relate to them in some important way. TheyTakes advantage of others
generally engage in eccentric behavior and haveGrandiose sense of self-importance
difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. TheirLack of empathy
speech is often over elaborate and difficult toLying, to self and others
follow.Symptoms of Schizotypal PersonalityObsessed with fantasies of fame, power, or
Disorder:Odd or eccentric mannerisms or appearancebeautyWell here then at least we'd understand why
Superstitious or preoccupied with paranormalwe'd have to call you "Mr." and wonder why we
phenomenaaren't in the group you seem to surround yourself
Difficult to follow speech patternswith to our exclusion. They are such special people.
Feelings of anxiety in social situationsWe'd also understand why the group gets thrown
Suspiciousness and paranoiaout every six months and you regroup with a new
Odd beliefs or magical thinkinggroup of close friend, not us. And we'd sure as hell
Appears shy, aloof, or withdrawn to othersThen weunderstand all those titles you give yourself and the
would understand the nonesensical things you say orexaggerated size of our small congregation, company
unrealistic thinking about things that are very real. Itor your influence in Congress. Let's face it, the way
would also explain why you always look like you justyou screw in a lightbulb is to just hold it up and let
fell out bed and think we are all out to get you andthe whole world revolve around you. Or if you
your precious job.Antisocial Personality Disorder?Apossess a...Obsessive-Compulsive Personality
common misconception is that antisocial personalityDisorder?While Obsessive-Compulsive personality
disorder refers to people who have poor social skills.disorder (OCDP) sounds similar in name to
The opposite is often the case. Instead, antisocialobsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder, the two are
personality disorder is characterized by a lack ofmarkedly different disorders. People with
conscience. People with this disorder are prone toobsessive-compulsive personality disorder are overly
criminal behavior, believing that their victims are weakfocused on orderliness and perfection. Their need to
and deserving of being taken advantage of.do everything "right" often interferes with their
Antisocials tend to lie and steal. Often, they areproductivity. They tend to get caught up in the
careless with money and take action without thinkingdetails and miss the bigger picture. They set
about consequences. They are often agressive andunreasonably high standards for themselves and
are much more concerned with their own needs thanothers, and tend to be very critical of others when
the needs of others.Symptoms of Antisocialthey do not live up to these high standards. They
Personality Disorder:Disregard for the feelings ofavoid working in teams, believing others to be too
otherscareless or incompetent. They avoid making decisions
Impulsive and irresponsible decision-makingbecause they fear making mistakes and are rarely
Lack of remorse for harm done to othersgenerous with their time or money. They often have
Lying, stealing, other criminal behaviorsdifficulty expressing emotion.Symptoms of
Disregard for the safety of self and othersThisObsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder:Need for
might explain your cruelty to members, family,perfection and excessive discipline
employees or those that question you, or how it isPreoccupation with orderliness
most get fired, or reduced to tears when theyInflexibility
question your financial dealings with their money, andLack of generosity
why you think you need private transportation forHyper-focus on details and rules
your travels around the country. It also explains whyExcessive devotion to workThis might fully explain
you made fun of the guy who wasn't able to comewhy the word "anal" keeps coming up when you are
to church, and then died at home without you takingin charge, or why we can never get you to commit
time to visit or encourage him. Or if you possessto anything. It also explains why you don't shake
a....Borderline Personality Disorder?Borderlinehands, wash your hands a lot, and why we never
personality disorder is characterized by moodhave team meetings.We commoners need you big
instability and poor self-image. People with thiswigs to get some help if any of this sounds familiar.
disorder are prone to constant mood swings andSome of you are harmless. Some of you are
bouts of anger. Often, they will take their anger outhumerous and we are laughing at you behind your
on themselves, causing injury to their own body.back. But some of you are downright dangerous to
Suicidal threats and actions are not uncommon.our health, welfare and survival. You are wrecking the
Borderlines think in very black and white terms andcompany, the church, the family and the country
often form intense, conflict-ridden relationships. Theywith your reckless mental illness. In fact, you are just
are quick to anger when their expectations are notlike the rest of us but don't seem to know it. Please
met.Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder:get some help before we all pay even more for your
Self-injury or attempted suicidemental illness untreated.
Strong feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression that