is this a sign of insanity?

Question

if suddenly violent imaginations flash in your head due to unresolved anger in the past and at present? violent imaginations, such as, stabbing people in different ways with different weapons, torturing, or whatever cruelty you can inflict, or imagining aiming at a person at a point-blank range and shoot him/her right then and there?

clarification:

before you conclude that it's me, i would like to make it clear that it's not me. i am a frustrated psychologist (LOL!)
i just want to know if that case, mentioned above, is a sign of insanity, or the beginning of it.

what's your views about the matter?

my view is that it is.

Answer 1

Wow, I really hope not. I'd like to say no because that happens to me often, certain times in my life more than others. I'm in my late 20s and it's happened since I was about 13. Very graphic and intrusive flashes/scenes of me stabbing people in the face, torturing them, beating them to death with household items. Very intense feelings of hatred and rage go along with it.

Occasionally (makes me sad to admit this) the victim has been someone I love, a boyfriend or my mom, when they did something to me that hurt my feelings. Though it's never friends of mine. These days, it's mostly my response to men that sexually harass me on the street but sometimes all they have to do is look at me the wrong way. A picture of me killing them in a terrible way flashes in my mind. I'm afraid I will actually respond that way if one of them attacks me someday. Because of the neighborhood I live in (Hispanic), I'm usually harassed by Hispanic guys. I started having these random violent thoughts toward Hispanic men. Nobody in particular. I'll be making dinner and I'll have a flash of me dismembering some Hispanic guy.

In all instances, the victim is someone I view as 'bad' or a threat to me in some way. It's not about hurting someone that I feel is innocent. It gives my body a quick adrenaline rush when these images pop into my head. It's more of a revenge type of thing. I've had anger/rage issues all my life (don't know why). I don't feel that I'm insane. It does bother me when the thoughts are intrusive because I wonder where it came from.

I do have other depression issues, PTSD (recent), paranoia, anxiety. When my anger is out of control I have delusional thoughts. It is getting worse and I have only recently gotten help. I do not believe I am insane though I felt it may have eventually gone that direction.

Answer 2

i dont know about the all of a sudden violent imaginations flash in your head is a sign of insanity;;

but the imagination part about making up how ppl are going to die.. in weird ways.. i dont think that is cuz i do that all the time and i know like most of my friends doo too.

Answer 3

Not all people showing these signs could be regarded as insane. Sometimes these angry thoughts come to the mind of the most cool and healthy people, but they are under their control. So please be careful in labeling your clients.

Answer 4

my view is that is the beginning of it.

or maybe that person just wants to get the thoughts out of their head by thinking it and getting it over with.

be careful though, that could be a phychopath your dealing with... :(

Answer 5

If it were just directed at one other specific person, I would find out if the client had just been divorced.

If this phenomena is non-specific and not directed at only one individual, well, you have your work cut out for you.

Good Luck!

;-)

Answer 6

i think only if the person is obessively thinking these thoughts, but i think everyone comes up with plans to seek revenge at some point or another

Answer 7

if someone told you this, it is a sign they are probably scared and looking for help. there are many therapists and anger management groups out there to help this person that you could refer them to.

Answer 8

anger issues. try breathing/calming techniques

Answer 9

I do not think so. Sometimes people just get angrier (sp?) than other people.

Answer 10

It certainly isn't normal