As a therapist, I am intimately familiar with the ‘bible’ of our profession known as the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It is a massive tome that contains descriptions of various conditions, some treatable chemically, some through standard talk therapy, others via all manner of creative arts, theoretical construct, and evidence-based interventions. I have incorporated many of those modalities with clients.
I also notice that I sometimes find myself engaging in ‘medical student syndrome,’ by which I question if I exhibit similar symptoms and beliefs as do my clients. Two jump out at me, waving their hands wildly. The first is mania (a polarity to depression in the diagnosis of Bi-polar Disorder that used to be referred to as ‘Manic Depression’. I am sometimes so high energy, hyper-verbal, burning the candle at both ends so that there is almost no more wax left, sleepless in Dublin, PA (instead of Seattle) that I barely glimpse the insides of my eyelids for more than a few hours at a time, having busy-buzzy brain syndrome (you won’t find that in the DSM) believing that I can get a million things accomplished in one day (friends have said that they get tired merely listening to my activities and that I do more in that time period than they might in a week. When I attempt to sleep, what dances before me are ideas for articles, inspiration for new classes to teach, people to reach out to for mutual support. This is the third article I am writing today for GMP and long about 4 a.m. this morning I began writing it and half a dozen others in my head. All I needed to do was take dictation and get my fingers caressing the keyboard. That’s why I refer to this condition as ‘functional mania,’ since it allows me to be successful in the various and sundry aspects of my life.
As the cherry on top of the symbolically high sugar content Energizer Bunnyesque creation, I also acknowledge undiagnosed ADHD. I suspect that my zoomy father had it as well. He would go full speed ahead and then would practically sleep standing up. I notice that when I am sitting with clients, I swivel my chair back and forth, flick my pen or hold a smooth stone in my hand. I assure them that I am listening intently while they speak and am fully present for them. They have agreed. I also have what some call, ‘shiny object syndrome,’ where they are attracted to new people, things and ideas. The difference is that I generally start what I finish. It wasn’t always the case. Twenty-some years ago, I didn’t have to focus, structure or discipline to complete what needed to be done, so much would fall between the cracks. Not a good idea when in business, which I was, with my husband at the time. My flightiness did not sit well with this man who had been a supervisor for several hundred people in one of his jobs in the apparel manufacturing biz before we met. He would set up systems for me in an attempt to ease the flow. I promptly dismantled them, feeling like a horse who wanted to break out of the corral and run wild. It wasn’t until my long-time mentor advised me that, “Discipline is freedom,’ that I came to the understanding that I could still think outside the box and have a container around my actions. I also learned that accountability is crucial.
Even when I am doing what I love; writing, I find myself pulled away by wanting to check messages or make phone calls. I then gently re-direct myself, “Come on, honey, let’s get back to work,” like I would a three-year-old who sees a puppy across the park that she wants to play with.
There is also a rather strange revelatory moment when you realize that it is socially acceptable to carry on multiple conversations at once on Facebook. You may comment on someone’s post and then move on to read something else, and then the first person responds to you and then you share something on your own page and someone comments on it. Ideal for a functionally manic, recovering workaholic, multi-tasker who is adept at juggling many ideas simultaneously.
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Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a colorfully creative journalist, inspiring transformational speaker, licensed social worker, interfaith minister, editor, radio host, BLISS coach, event producer, certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Cosmic Concierge, the author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary and co-author of Embraced By the Divine: The Emerging Woman’s Gateway to Power, Passion and Purpose. She has also contributed to several anthologies and personal growth books. Edie has interviewed such notables as Ram Dass, Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, Grover Washington, Jr. Noah Levine, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Weaver, Ben and Jerry and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She calls herself an Opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility. Edie writes for The Huffington Post, Psych Central, Beliefnet, Elephant Journal, The Good Men Project, Expanded Family, Meaningful Mom, Happenings Media, as well as a growing number of other venues. Edie is the founder of Hug Mobsters Armed With Love, which offers FREE HUGS events on a planned and spontaneous basis. www.opti-mystical.com
