The human brain is a complex and flawed organ that is capable of doing amazing things. Have any of you ever realized that the entire field of psychology is the brain trying to understand itself? Pretty trippy, right? Sometimes the brain malfunctions and does wacky chemical things that have negative effects on our lives. Those effects are known as mental disorders, some of which are more common than others. Here are 7 rare mental disorders that most people don't know about.
1. Walking Corpse Syndrome
Also known as Cotard's Syndrome, Walking Corpse Syndrome is the belief that oneself is actually dead or does not exist. It has been linked to other mental illnesses such as depression, chronic sleep deprivation, or even drug psychosis.
2. Self-Cannibalism
Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome is a disorder in which one self-mutilates or even consumes parts of his or her own body. This disorder results from an overproduction of uric acid in the body. Many patients must undergo operations to remove their teeth to prevent them from chewing off their lips, tongues, and cheeks.
3. Erotomania
People with Erotomania hold the delusional belief that someone of higher status is deeply in love with him or her and makes advances toward them with special glances, messages through media or even telepathy. Most patients with this disorder have a family history heavy with mental illnesses.
4. Alien Hand Syndrome
This disorder occurs when a person's arm seems to move or grab hold of things involuntarily without the person's cognitive control. It results by a conflict between the left and right sides of the brain or mixing of damaged brain wires. Some people are even afraid of the arm, claiming that it "has a will of its own."
5. Abulomania
This disorder is characterized by the extreme inability to make a decision. People with Abulomania appear to function normally in every-day life, but can experience anxiety even when faced with a simple choice such as whether to eat a bagel or cereal for breakfast. Abulomania has also been associated with depressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
6. Synesthesia
Synesthesia is when stimulation of one sense triggers stimulation of another sense and they occur simultaneously. For example, some people see color when they hear sounds, others can taste different sounds, and others see colors in letters and numbers. Most people with this disorder are involved in the arts, and some are even famous (for example, Pharrell Williams and Lady Gaga).
7. Foreign Accent Syndrome
In a couple of cases of head trauma or brain injuries, people will wake up speaking in a completely foreign accent. The condition can last for a couple of hours or even become permanent. Science has yet to figure out the cause or come up with a cure for it.
People are unique and interesting. Every person has a different background, different hobbies, different talents...you get the idea. Psychological disorders interest me especially because they are simply more ways that people are different from each other. The more we learn about how people work, the easier it is to understand and help others where they need help the most.
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