THERE are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the most common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and social withdrawal.
All of us have mental disorders, but differ in their degree and level of seriousness. Narcissism or excessive interest in or admiration of oneself or one’s physical appearance (sobrang believe sa sarili) is one of them. Schadenfreude or person who laughs or takes pleasure in the misfortune of others is also one of the common disorders. Kung sa title sa drama sa radyo pa ni: “Gikalipay ko ang mga kasakit mo.” Lack of enthusiasm and motivation, lack of self-confidence, loner, anti-social, mood swings, phobia (which is a type of anxiety disorder) are also psychological imbalances.
In my column last Saturday, I posed the question: Is Tomas mentally disturbed? This, after he ordered the massive destruction on his office Thursday night. He vandalized his office by removing all the tiles, ceiling, lavatory and even the toilet bowl. All the expensive furniture and fixtures were gone.
He said that he removed all the things inside and left it bare because he used his personal money for the improvement of his office, which he occupied since 2016 after conquering back City Hall from former mayor Michael Rama. Is that a work of a supposed honorable person? I think he was not in his right mind when he ordered the destruction of his office.
Okay, granting that he used his personal funds to improve that office, but what was the real status and condition of the place when he took in last 2016? I have not gone to that office, but I believe that the flooring and ceiling already existed during the construction. So, why did he include the tiles and ceiling in the destruction? He could have turned it over to his successor, in the state before it was improved.
Is he that totally desperate to undertake such move? I hope he was not under the influence of liquor when he ordered the destruction. Is he suffering from serious mental illness? I would like to suggest to the “has-been politician” to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist because I suspect that there is something wrong in his state of mind as a result of his defeat in the last May 13 elections.
I suspect that he is suffering from the so-called “stress response syndrome” (formerly called adjustment disorder). Stress response syndrome occurs when a person develops emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to a stressful event or situation. The stressors may include natural disasters, such as earthquakes and other calamities, events or crises, such as car accident or diagnosis of a major illness; or interpersonal problems, such as divorce, death of a loved one, loss of job or a problem with substance abuse. Stress response syndrome usually begins within three months of the event or situation and ends within six months after the stressor stops or is eliminated.
With emphasis on “loss of job” and diagnosed with “serious illness” as factors why a person suffers this kind of mental disorder. The “has-been politician” lost to former vice mayor Edgardo Labella and he still couldn’t accept his defeat. That is why he is acting like that. Imagine the process of transition from an influential and powerful to an ordinary person? It is hard to accept and adjust. The other factor is his illness. He is suffering from urinary bladder cancer. Pero klaruhon ta ni ha. Wala ko moingon nga naboang na si Tomas. Naburyong lang siguro. I don’t know what’s the exact translation of “naburyong” in English. Maybe there is a “hairline” difference between being normal and abnormal.
Social psychology is based on the ABC’s of affect, behavior and cognition. In order to effectively maintain and enhance our own lives through successful interaction with others, we rely on these three basic and interrelated human capacities. Hey, it’s time to move on, Mr. Mayor.