Schizophrenia Forum - "super Genius"
medical questions | health forums log in    

"super Genius"

New Topic  Reply  Ask A Doctor - Offline
Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Schizophrenia -> "super Genius"
Author Message
Dorgus

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 19
Location: Dallas Metroplex, USA
"super Genius"
Posted: 10-25-07 06:53am

I sometimes get a little tongue and cheek about this problem I have but I think it deserves some discussion. For a very long time I have suffered from the grandiose delusion that I am an undiscovered genius. I take great pride in what I believe to be a keen mind and I often feel that I can understand anything and create anything. If you looked at my bookshelf you would understand the problem. There are advanced textbooks on every technical subject under the sun.

The problem is, quite frankly, that I'm not a genius. I get these grandiose ideas about doing something then I can hardly lift a pencil to actually work on my idea. This leads me to believe I am a failure, and I get depressed .( I sense a strong Bipolar component here.)

My general intelligence level is okay but nothing to write home about. I know this, but still, I find myself struggling to stabilize my life around reasonable goals and activities and not feel bad when I can't do everything.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Philo

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 331
Location: Montreal
Thanks: 4
Thanked:0

Posted: 10-25-07 10:00am

I can relate, but in a different way. When I did my university I finished my Master's as one of the top of the class, and I was quite proud of it. I went on to do my PhD but dropped out partly because I started having ideas that the university was the work of the devil, and partly because I was so ambitious and original that the program seemed stupid, too traditional and not worth doing. After I had my episode I dulled down a lot and I'm not as smart anymore. However, I still have interesting ideas that I jot down (I have a whole notebook of them) - they're ideas for articles and books. I never really follow an idea straight to finish - usually my sickness gets in the way. My ambition has remained with me, but my abilities have decreased significantly. It's hard living without great achievements.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Georgia59

Supporter
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 5557
Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 90
Thanked:32

Posted: 10-25-07 12:40pm

This is for both of you and everyone in general......Why don't you just try taking these grandiose ideas and breaking them down into really small, more attainable goals? It will help you to aknowledge the fact that you have these aspirations, and also organize them into a reasonable way to acheive them, and give you the sense that you are actually making progress.

You'd have to do it in a way that best fit your specific goals, but say you want to write a book on some major physics breakthrough. You could start by trying to fill a small notepad sized sheet (like 3 by 5) of an idea every day, just a second every day to jot down a thought. Just jot down an idea or two, and once you have a lot of these little notepad sheets, start organizing them into categories. Once they are into categories, and you have enough, take a category and write a page. Once you have a few pages, start organizing the pages into a chapter. Etc....

With such a broad goal, it's really easy for anyone to get overwhelmed. If you purposely break it up into tiny little goals that you can accomplish every day, it might really help.

Of course, getting treatment for whatever may be holding you back wouldn't hurt either (if, Dorgus, it turns out that you do suffer from bipolar)
Did you find this post useful?
|
Birch

Supporter
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 4159
Location: Bliss,
Thanks: 159
Thanked:16
Re: "super Genius"
Posted: 10-25-07 13:02pm

Dorgus wrote:
I sometimes get a little tongue and cheek about this problem I have but I think it deserves some discussion. For a very long time I have suffered from the grandiose delusion that I am an undiscovered genius. I take great pride in what I believe to be a keen mind and I often feel that I can understand anything and create anything. If you looked at my bookshelf you would understand the problem. There are advanced textbooks on every technical subject under the sun.

The problem is, quite frankly, that I'm not a genius. I get these grandiose ideas about doing something then I can hardly lift a pencil to actually work on my idea. This leads me to believe I am a failure, and I get depressed .( I sense a strong Bipolar component here.)

My general intelligence level is okay but nothing to write home about. I know this, but still, I find myself struggling to stabilize my life around reasonable goals and activities and not feel bad when I can't do everything.


Your not so different from alot of posters on this board, although they don't realize it's a delusion. Cool

Anyways...sorry...

You have a lot of insight. You've solved the first problem on your own. Are you diagnosed with anything? Can you talk about some of the manic episodes you experience? The depression?

Are you talking to a professional? They may be able to help you out on a regular basis.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Dorgus

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 19
Location: Dallas Metroplex, USA
a Little Background
Posted: 10-26-07 12:19pm

I had a serious break with reality about 23 years ago while I was a university student. Like all of my psychotic episodes since then, this break was preceded by a period of manic euphoria and grandiose delusions. Yes, I get depressed too. When I'm depressed I don't have psychotic symptoms but I spend most of my time in bed.
Since my initial breakdown, I have been seeing a psychiatrist regularly. Furthermore, family members live close by and monitor my condition. My diagnosis is "schizoaffective disorder", so I sort of have a mixture of schizophrenic and bipolar symptoms.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Georgia59

Supporter
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 5557
Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 90
Thanked:32

Posted: 10-26-07 15:50pm

Is therapy a part of your treatment at all? Sounds like a therapist might be able to help you deal with the emotional side of things.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Birch

Supporter
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 4159
Location: Bliss,
Thanks: 159
Thanked:16
Re: a Little Background
Posted: 10-26-07 20:45pm

Dorgus wrote:
I had a serious break with reality about 23 years ago while I was a university student. Like all of my psychotic episodes since then, this break was preceded by a period of manic euphoria and grandiose delusions. Yes, I get depressed too. When I'm depressed I don't have psychotic symptoms but I spend most of my time in bed.
Since my initial breakdown, I have been seeing a psychiatrist regularly. Furthermore, family members live close by and monitor my condition. My diagnosis is "schizoaffective disorder", so I sort of have a mixture of schizophrenic and bipolar symptoms.


It seems like you have a good support system in place. And you have insight into your illness. You are doing well.

Take it one day at a time, man. What are some of your goals in life?
Did you find this post useful?
|
woops

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
Posts: 224

Posted: 11-16-07 19:29pm

But I thought that being a genius wasn't a good thing, they always end up killing themselves or something of that nature, I wouldn't bother feeling bad if you aren't one. Besides, there isn't a whole lot to know here.

Malarchy I tell you!
Did you find this post useful?
|
Related Topics
This Forum This Category All Forums
Jump to:  
New Topic   Reply



We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.