5.22.2007

Darth Vader "clearly" diagnosed

Darth Vader's Psyche: What Went Wrong?
Anakin Skywalker, Who Became Darth Vader, Had Borderline Personality Disorder, Psychiatrists Say

May 21, 2007 -- Anakin Skywalker, the Star Wars character who became Darth Vader, had borderline personality disorder, psychiatrists report.
The news comes not from a galaxy far, far away, but from San Diego, where the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is holding its 160th annual meeting.
Today, experts from the psychiatric department at France's University Hospital of Toulouse told the APA's annual meeting that Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader could "clearly" be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental illness marked by instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior, according to background information on the web site of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
The French psychiatrists -- who included Laurent Schmitt, MD -- based their diagnosis on original Star Wars film scripts.

Skywalker Psyche
Schmitt's team describes Skywalker's symptoms, including problems with controlling anger and impulsivity, temporary stress-related paranoia, "frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment (when trying to save his wife at all costs), and a pattern of unstable and intense personal relationships," including his relationships with his Jedi masters.
Changing his name and turning into "Darth Vader" is a red flag of Skywalker's disturbed identity, note Schmitt and colleagues.
The researchers aren't suggesting that real people with borderline personality disorder are Darth Vaders-in-the-making. Skywalker's symptoms are an extreme, fictional case.
Borderline personality disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. But that wasn't part of Skywalker's script.

5.03.2007

turn or burn




My formative years were the 80’s. I didn’t own parachute pants, but i wore skinny ties, one had a a piano keyboard on it. I find myself having a stong emotional reaction every now and then to something from that decade. Most recently it is the phrase “turn or burn”. Several kids in my youth group champion the slogan. I gotta tell ya, I remember seeing protesters with signs and voices lifting high the chant: turn or burn. My gut reaction was…this is harsh and unchristian.So I’ve been wrestling with the concept. Here’s where I stand:I think the concept is offensive to some because it’s the truth. I have struggled with the phrase because the “bullhorn bullies” omitted God’s grace from the protest. I continue to challange mysefl to find the grace-filled response. There are daily opportunities (colleagues, family members, friends, strangers in the store, and that guy that calls just to emotionally throw up on me and justify his actions) to practice this free in all, free for all grace.The Gospel is messy and complicated or at least thats how I rationilize my faliure to act with the intention and grace of Christ. There is a simplicity about God’s love. One that I hope is never lost on me or those I have opportunity to share with.