A SUCCESSFUL CURE TO MENTAL ILLNESS
OUTLINE
I am not a scientist or a psychologist, but I know how to connect the dots and discover ways of navigating the internet to find a cure to this illness, and the best order in which this is to be done.
Lesson 1:
Concept: Brain Plasticity
The most important concept to keep in mind throughout this training program is the science of brain plasticity. Here is a link that describes it in detail:
This training program starts with this lesson because it is important to first know what the brain is capable of. The brain more than any organ can and does change it’s structure at the neuron level, and at a very rapid rate. Therefore, finding a cure is actually really easy if you know what your looking for. This should be a boost of confidence to anyone who wants to find a cure because they know they can rewire their brain into the right perspective using the right set of skills, if they are right. My successful recovery proves that I know what this is.
Lesson 2:
Skill: Zazen Meditation
This is also important and should be done regularly. This skill is to treat any and all genetic predisposition that might easily trigger the onset of psychosis. Here is a link:
Meditation trains the mind, like weightlifting trains the body. It helps the mind deal with any conflict or stress because it trains you to control your emotions, and any irrational beliefs you may have. This is critical because throughout these lessons, the mind is capable of experiencing latent emotions and experiences that may be disturbing or upsetting. The mind needs to effectively take care of itself, and also prevent another relapse from ever happening.
Lesson 3:
Skill: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This skill is introduced and explained in this book: A Guide To Rational Living, Albert Ellis PH.D. and Robert A. Harper, PH.D., 1961.
It is a fundamental tool to develop the ability to look deep within your own experience and understand where in life things didn’t go as they should have, and how you reacted to them. With this skill in place, the main and often difficult task of assessing how you react to things in life can be analyzed and discovered, as well as eventually treated by confronting it through personal communication, magic ritual, spiritual healing etc.
Lesson 4:
Concept: Hogwart’s Houses from the Harry Potter Series
In the fiction of Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling (books and movies):
Houses at Hogwarts were both the living and learning communities for its students. Each year’s group of students in the same house shares the same dormitory and many classes. The houses compete throughout the school year, by earning and losing points for behaviour. The house with the most points win the House Cup. Each house also has its own Quidditch team that competes for the Inter-House Quidditch Cup. The Sorting Hat announces the house the student is to join. Before beginning the Sorting ceremony, it sings a short song about the founding of the school and the four houses; the Sorting Hat’s songs are different every year, and the Hat is said to take all year composing the next one. It has also been said that all four houses must band together and fight as one if Hogwarts is to stand. It must be remembered that all the houses had their virtues and flaws: none were inherently good or evil.
Quadras are distinguished by offering the greatest degree of psychological comfort among all groups containing four types. The feeling of comfort and harmony produced by the quadra is since all types in the quadra seek to give expression to the shared set of information elements in their ego and super-id blocks and to de-emphasize the information elements in their super-ego and id blocks.
There is a direct correlation in my opinion between the Quadras and the houses. The unity of each house depends on how well they get along and work together. At a young age, we naturally gravitate with certain types who become our best friends and companions. Many friendships remain and many are broken. Our closest and best friends and even those we are just comfortable around in any environment have characteristics, good habits, and flaws that we must recognize.
Quadra Values:
Clarity Seeking / Integrity Seeking
World Accepting / World Rejecting
Alphas are Clarity Seeking and World Accepting (SFJ, NTP)
Ravenclaw: Intelligent, knowledgeable, and witty.
Betas are Clarity Seeking and World Rejecting (STP, NFJ)
Gryffindor: Brave, daring, and chivalrous.
Gammas are Integrity Seeking and World Rejecting (SFP, NTJ)
Slytherin: Cunning, resourceful, and ambitious.
Deltas are Integrity Seeking and World Accepting (STJ, NFP)
Hufflepuff: Dedicated, patient, and loyal.
What does it mean to be Clarity Seeking?
Valuing emotions and laws together creates collectivism in Clarity Seekers. While emotions serve to bring people together under a common, uplifting mood, laws create a consistent framework that all people in this collective can share and sets criteria for group belonging. These types tend to identify themselves by their feeling of belonging to these groups and subscription to the ideologies these groups follow, although how inclusive or specifically exclusive this group can be varies between Alphas and Betas.
What does it mean to be Integrity Seeking?
Valuing procedures and relationships together creates individualism in Integrity Seekers. While relationships select the good friends from mere acquaintances, procedures allow a mix of different points of view and provisions of information that, although inconsistent, can be helpful to the person. As such, instead of groups, Integrity Seekers manifest webs of trusted contacts who are valued for the helpful information they contribute, associating with friends and relations in the manner that best suits their needs.
What does it mean to be World Accepting?
Valuing ideas and senses together creates a contentedness in World Accepters with their present situation. While ideas explore the many possibilities the world has to offer, senses bring them together into our enjoyment of the present and the quality of life we are living now. As such, the actions of these types are centered around one’s lifestyle and the appreciation of that lifestyle in a way that is both enriching and sustaining.
What does it mean to be World Rejecting?
Valuing force and time together creates dissatisfaction in World Rejecters with their present situation. While force demands the action to confront reality and make it suit one’s ambitions, time provides a sense of purpose or preferred outcome to these confrontations. As such, these types pursue long-reaching outcomes and can reject the softer luxuries and distractions of mundane living. Instead, they advocate tough dedication in seeing things to the end.
COMPATIBILITY
Compatibility for houses is based on Jungian Units (the groups of capital letters beside each group representing Jungian Personality types). First are those within their house, followed by their opposite house, followed by the remaining houses. As an example, an NFP would get along best with NFPs and STJs, followed by their opposites, STPs and NFJs, followed by SFJs, NTPs, SFPs and NTJs equally. So, it would be Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, then Ravenclaw and Slytherin would be last and equal.
Lesson 5:
Concept: Factions from the Divergent Series
In the fiction of ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth (books and movies):
The factions are: Abnegation, Erudite, Dauntless, Amity, and Candor. The Choosing Ceremony is the day when a 16-year-old must choose which faction they will enter. They can either leave their family and choose an entirely new faction, or they can remain where they are. The aptitude test result should be considered, but the decision is ultimately their choice. This test is administered the day before the Choosing Ceremony and tells the adolescent which faction they are most compatible with. This idea is the choice we all make in adolescents when we decide how close we must be to our family.
We all are different and must make decisions that are in our best interest. Therefore, knowing which faction, based on the fiction which I think is similar, helps determine if you stay in the influence of your family or if you forge ahead on your own, with the values you choose to take with you. So, this coming-of-age ceremony is like the development of the individual as an adult, with values and beliefs, and an idea what type of work environment and social environment one would choose to devote themselves to.
The Politicians
Abnegation (NFP, NFJ)
DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Ab-neg-ay-shun] l. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce. 2. to relinquish; give up. --active forms of stripping things from your life. As opposed to relinquish, give up-- more passive.
HISTORY: Abnegation was formed by those who blamed selfishness for human nature’s errors. They believe in selfless actions and attaining peace through the elimination of selfishness. By doing so, they choose to completely forget themselves and only serve others.
TRAITS: Sit quietly and wait. Bow heads, a sign of respect, when greeting each other. Not manipulative, but not forthright. Their morally incorruptible quality makes them the only reasonable faction to be able to govern the city as political leaders.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Clothing is gray and simple. The only adornment allowed is a watch. Female Abnegation typically wear their hair in a bun/knot.
ABNEGATION INITIATION: The initiates, who will spend thirty days performing community service before they can become full members, sit side by side on a bench while one of the older members reads the Abnegation manifesto. Then all the older members wash the initiates feet. They all share a meal, each person serving food to the person on his left.
NICKNAME: ‘stiffs’.
The Warriors
Dauntless (SFP, STP)
DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Dawn-t-less] Fearless, undaunted. Courageously resolute, especially in the face of danger or difficulty; not discouraged. Undaunted: resolute, especially in the face of danger. Note: Being fearless and being undaunted are two different things.
HISTORY: Dauntless was a faction formed by those who blamed cowardice for society’s problems. The only answer is to face your fears and find bravery.
TRAITS: Loud, expressive. Bravery, courage, fighting and physical skills. In charge of security, their primary purpose is to guard the fence that surrounds the city. They began guarding the fence five years prior. Before that they patrolled the factionless sector.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: All-black clothes, tattoos, piercings, unnatural hair colours.
DAUNTLESS INITIATION: Taken very seriously. Transfer initiates must jump out of the moving train that is transporting them to Dauntless HQ & onto the roof of a building. They must then jump off a seven-story building without knowing what lies at the bottom. There are three further stages of initiation that include physical and mental expertise, strength, and willpower.
NICKNAME: ‘crazies’.
The Farmers
Amity (SFJ)
DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Am-it-ee] l. friendship; peaceful harmony. 2. mutual understanding and a peaceful relationship, especially between nations; peace; accord. 3. cordiality. It’s not just about and apple-picking. It’s about cultivating strong relationships and trying to understand each other.
HISTORY: Amity is the faction that dislikes war. They formed Amity to have a peaceful society free from conflict and sadness caused by wars and instigation. They are truly a democratic faction, voting on everything, almost unanimously.
TRAITS: They love music, art, games, and laughter. They give hugs when greeting. They vote on everything, almost unanimously. Their bread has peace serum added to prevent their members from fighting. Amity’s essential nature comes from its crop-growing. They run the farms, which provides some of the food for all the factions. They tend to be counsellors, caretakers & artists.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Members dress comfortably in red and yellow clothing. Their dress code is less formal than other factions and is bright and pleasant.
AMITY INITIATION: Like Erudite, little knowledge of Amity’s initiation process is given away in the books. From what we can gather, though, it involves fruit-picking and singing songs.
NICKNAME: ‘banjo strummin softies’.
The Scientists & Engineers
Erudite (NTP, NTJ)
DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Air-yoo-dyte] Characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly. The word “erudite” focuses on knowledge rather than intelligence-- intelligence being something you’re born with, and can’t necessarily control, and knowledge being something that you acquire.
HISTORY: Erudite was formed by those who blamed human ignorance for the faults of society. They formed Erudite as a way of eliminating ignorance and darkness from human minds.
TRAITS: Chat about books and newspapers; in constant pursuit of knowledge. Curiosity, which drives them to seek knowledge. The faction produces most of the city’s librarians, doctors, scientists, & teachers. They keep records of the city & the factions. Most technological advances are due to Erudite, including all the simulation serums.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Most members wear glasses no matter how perfect their vision is, to give the appearance of intelligence. Each member must wear at least one piece of blue clothing as they believe it a calming colour that helps stimulate the brain.
ERUDITE INITIATION: Mostly unknown, but they most likely study, and take rigorous tests. It is also stated by Therese that there is an initiation intelligence test that, if not passed, results in one becoming factionless. Each of the initiates selects and is trained in a certain subject of expertise in Erudite.
NICKNAME: ‘know it all’s’.
The Lawyers & Administrators
Candor (STJ)
DEFINITION: [Pronounced: Can-der]; l. the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness. 2. freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality. The faction is not just trying to develop honesty, they’re also trying to develop impartiality.
HISTORY: Candor was a faction formed by those who blamed duplicity and deception, who believed that dishonesty is the key fault in human nature which began evil and war. They believe in the principle that honesty and openness would lead to a more peaceful and perfect society.
TRAITS: Honest, trustworthy, and able to read body language to detect lies. They greet each other by shaking hands. They provide sound leaders in Law.
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Black & white clothes because they see the truth as black & white. They dress formally, with suits & ties being standard uniform with men, & women seen in long skirts, while their everyday clothing is typically black pants & white shirts.
CANDOR INITIATION: Initiates must take lie detector tests all day, every day. During the final test initiates get “truth serum” and must sit in front of everyone as they ask questions. They believe if you reveal all of your secrets, you’ll have no desire to lie about anything, ever again because the worst is already in the open.
NICKNAME: ‘smart mouths’.
COMPATIBILITY:
Compatibility for factions is based on the compatibility of houses since they get along best with people they work well with. First is those within their faction, followed by their opposite Jungian Unit, followed by the remaining units. As an example, an NFP would get along best with other NFPs and NFJs, then STJs, then STPs and SFPs, then SFJs, NTPs and NTJs. So, it would be Abnegation, Candor, Dauntless, then Amity and Erudite would be last and equal.
Lesson 6:
Skill: Creating Boundaries
Once the patient has successfully started meditating, immediately they begin the process of improving how they are able to handle any problem. They can effectively think problems through instead of reacting in an irrational manner, and control their emotions to such a degree that any problem or conflict can be approached with reason and calculation.
After this, once the patient watches the Harry Potter Series and the Divergent Series, they can then understand concepts of temperament, which can help the person understand better who they are, who they like to be around, and what their values and skill set is. Usually this is done at the prescribed ages of the fiction presented (who they like at a young age, and values and skill set at late adolescent). Hypothetically speaking, without domestication, a person would develop a clear understanding of these, but due to the trauma of domestication, and quite often unnecessary abuse, stress, and possibly a set of bad or unfortunate circumstances, the fragile mind of this person can develop mental illness. Therefore, after learning all of this, having this knowledge isn’t all that’s required. One must also develop skills in how to have healthy relationships including healthy boundaries with people you aren’t compatible with, and avoid any codependent or toxic relationships. Here is a link:
The Relationship Downloads by this Psychologist, Kristin Snowden are a good example of learning this skill set, which is the skill set of healthy relationships and it is essential in order to develop a healthy occupational, social, and marital life, as well as help the patient raise and be responsible for children and pets.
Lesson 7:
Concept: Personality Identity
From the two concepts of houses and factions combined, the patient can have a Jungian Unit that defines their mental processes - how they think and feel, if they are intuitive or practical, and if they are spontaneous or organized. With a fourth letter, called extroversion and introversion (and the easiest one to determine), a person has a clear idea what their Jungian Personality Type is. There are loads of resources for people to find out about their personality type. This link is my favourite:
With E or I representing extraversion and introversion, followed by the other three letters of the personality type, one can have a clear picture of how their mind works and why they behave the way they do.
Lesson 8:
Concept: Politics
One important skill that a person needs to realize is to see that people have an agenda. Often this agenda is a result of who they like (their house), what they value (their faction), but also the pre-existing social structure called politics. It’s important to recognize and identify with this as well. Here’s a link:
Believe it or not, this website has one of the best ways of determining one’s political leanings.
After this, another site determines one’s political views of the society they belong to, such as this one for Canada:
In many ways it is a duty to vote and take part in politics. But politics can get out of hand when you identify with a certain view so much that you begin to politicize every action of yourself and others, which can threaten to disturb your relationships in an unhealthy way. But politics can also help with your career because most companies have a clear preference.
Lesson 9:
Self-Directed Neuroplasticity
Rumination, at least for me, was part of the reason why I was responsible for becoming mentally ill in the first place. I learned that I practice rumination regularly as I am an introvert who likes to think and weigh ideas and concepts relating to my mental health, spirituality, social life, physical health, and other important things on a regular basis. Rumination can also be described, and often is, as intellection gone bad.
To treat this is to use every other lesson in mind and do several important things to change the mental wiring in the brain.
Rumination is caused by an imbalanced DMN (Default Mode Network) and includes impulsivity and ego-based thinking in combination with intellection. It affects the anterior medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, dorsal medial prefrontal cortex, and the medial temporal lobe. To combat an imbalanced DMN, you need to build a TPN (Task Positive Network). To do that, you need to pay attention to the here and now or build a focus on your immediate awareness. You also need to decrease DMN activity by enlarging the prefrontal cortex, shrink the amygdala, and thicken the hippocampus. There are activities and actions that can do this, and I have included some articles on these subjects as appendices. All the sources were either online articles or youtube videos.
CONCLUSION
With these nine lessons working in tandem, one is able to learn about and discipline the mind, know the nuances of how their mind works, understand why the react to things the way they do, determine what kind of people they like, what they value, what skill set they have, how to build healthy relationships, see the agenda other people have, what agenda they want to have, and understand people and their society to a masterful level. This to me is the power of a healthy mind, and a happy one.
After these skills and concepts are well established, when you’re in a situation that you find yourself worried about or triggers a deeply felt emotional or traumatic response, you just need to stop, think, and ask yourself – what’s going on? Why is this happening to me, or what forces are at work here? Because when you understand why you react or feel a certain way, you know it’s not an illness. This is simply being human to have preferences of all kinds of things and having limitations that the human brain has. There’s nothing wrong with that - and humility allows us to accept what we have and what we can do with the minds we were given.
or the girl…