[NT] Do I seem "grandiose?"

[ygolo]

...or just ambitious?

What is Grandiosity? - Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Question: What is Grandiosity?

Answer: Grandiosity is a symptom of mania or hypomania in bipolar disorder (aka manic depression). In the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV), it is used in combination with several other symptoms to confirm a diagnosis of this disorder. This symptom also occurs in children with early onset bipolar disorder.

Roget's II: Thesaurus defines grandiosity as "boastful self-importance or display" and offers the words "ostentation," "pomposity" and "pretension" to further illustrate this definition. In short, it is an exaggerated sense of one's importance, power, knowledge or identity. It often has religious overtones. The term "grandiosity" is used to describe the larger-than-life feelings of superiority often experienced by those in a manic episode.

An Example of Grandiosity from our Community:
I am a committed mother and wife. Yet I found myself embroiled in an affair that I thought was the equal to Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinevere ... I'm so embarrassed and ashamed of myself now.

I am a reasonably good writer and poet ... I thought I was an amazingly talented poet and writer. I composed music, wrote songs, wrote poems, etc. I thought I could do ANYTHING.

I thought God was talking to me in visions. I felt I had a special connection to the universe. I thought maybe I was becoming a Buddha.

--Pendulumgirl on our Main Forum

by Kimberly Read

I thought my dreams, and long-term goals were merely ambitious, and perhaps a bit unrealistic. But I am wondering now if it is a symptom.

I am probably more candid here than anywhere else. So what do you people think? Am I grandiose? or merely ambitious?

 

[yenom]

Only people who think big can dream big. ..when you dream the impossible, anything is possible.

 

[wolfy]

You don't come across as grandiose to me. Just smart and ambitious.

 

[Halla74]

Grandiose people are often pretentious.

You do not seem pretentious, to me anyway.

 

[rhinosaur]

No, I don't think so.

 

[nozflubber]

no, not grandiose.... you're just hunting for potentials

 

[Night]

Ambition needn't be pardoned, my friend. So long as your vision does not unfairly trespass upon your brother, you needn't feel shame for it's existence -- especially from a vantage point as energetic as your own.

I can't imagine strength of will without some degree of fictive momentum to add sharpness to my aim. What would be the point? Realistic goals are implied facets of everyday life. Passion gives reason beyond what is immediately tangible.


Shame is not shameful, ygolo, so long as you appreciate its point of origin....

Why do you feel shame?

 

[Laurie]

What is the fascination with bipolar disorder? Something going on?

 

[JocktheMotie]

Sounds like ambition to me. It's like in what you are doing, you are displaying or expressing genuine feelings of incredibly important achievement. If you actually thought your current actions were going to be valued as incredible contributions to humanity, that could be an issue.

Simply following some dreams in a search for self-actualization would seem to be pretty healthy to me.

What is the fascination with bipolar disorder? Something going on?

Is this specific to Ygolo or for people in general? For the latter, I've heard so many people references different ailments it seems it is becoming hip and "cool" to have something wrong with you.

 

[Gamine]

You are only grandiose if your plans don't follow through.

Stop reading the DSM Ygolo, will only make you paranoid. No looking that up either!!

 

[Colors]

Having taken a limited course in abnormal psychology... You are, like, the opposite of bipolar, ygolo. And not grandiose (at least not in the DSMIV sense) either.

 

[Jeffster]

No. And stop looking for "disorders" to belong to. You're just human. Human life is disorderly by nature. LIVE IT!

 

[entropie]

Your sense for perfection tho jeff, is truly marvellous

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

I didn't even realize you were ambitious. LOL. I haven't read you blog in a long time, though. No, you are not grandiose, you just spend too much time trying to label yourself. Peace!

 

[ygolo]

Well, I am officially diagnosed as Bipolar II. But it is good to know I am not grandiose.

 

[527468]

Don't commit suicide. We love you, and it's not ever worth it.

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

Well, I am officially diagnosed as Bipolar II. But it is good to know I am not grandiose.

Wow. Do you feel relieved?

 

[heart]

I am probably more candid here than anywhere else. So what do you people think? Am I grandiose? or merely ambitious?

No, not grandiose. In fact, you seem more often like someone with timid visions who wants to push themselves to dare to dream and seek larger. I have admired your endeavors in this.

 

[Synarch]

Try to enjoy things. I don't know you, but I do think we all have a tendency to overthink. When you're out in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere you realize that life is pretty simply. Birds do it, bees do it, etc. We just complicate it.

 

[Synarch]

Here you go: AlterNet: Why Being Smart Won't Get You Laid