By: Dr. Fabiano de Abreu
The notion of “madness” is a socially constructed concept, historically loaded with stigma. From a clinical and neuroscientific point of view, what we usually call “madness” actually corresponds to a set of psychiatric or neurological conditions that alter the way a person perceives, feels, thinks or behaves. Among these disorders, the following stand out:
1. Bipolar Disorder: Characterized by mood swings (episodes of mania and depression) that can lead to behaviors considered “abnormal” or “eccentric”.
2. Schizophrenia: Involves changes in the perception of reality, such as hallucinations and delusions, which is often pejoratively labeled as “madness”.
3. Non-Specific Psychotic Disorders: Psychotic symptoms that do not meet all the criteria for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but cause severe distortion of reality.
4. Some Neurological Conditions (e.g., Dementia or Epilepsy): Depending on the affected area of the brain, these conditions can cause changes in behavior or consciousness that, due to a lack of social understanding, are also given prejudiced labels.
It is important to emphasize that these conditions do not define a “crazy person,” but rather people with specific conditions that require intervention and understanding. The stigma of “craziness” arises from the lack of knowledge and difficulty society has in understanding how the brain and mind work in particular circumstances.
“Compensation” for Intelligence
There are individuals who, feeling signs of cognitive or emotional disorganization, seek in the idea of “being very intelligent” a way to deny or compensate for the possibility of being ill. This occurs, in part, through a psychological defense mechanism:
– *Preservation of Self-Esteem*: When a person suspects a disorder or notices flaws in their thinking, they cling to the belief of high intelligence to maintain a positive image of themselves.
– *Denial and Rationalization*: These are unconscious defenses that reduce internal discomfort. In neuroscientific terms, the prefrontal region of the brain may attempt to “explain” dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts in a logical or overvalued way.
How This Mechanism Works in the Brain
The human brain has a strong component of *internal consistency*: it seeks to justify beliefs and behaviors to protect its own identity. In people with cognitive distortions or mental disorders, this attempt at self-preservation may be more intense.
– *Activation of Reward Circuits (dopamine):* When considering oneself “very intelligent”, the person experiences relief and positive reinforcement, which helps to maintain the belief, even without real basis.
– *Misdirection of Attention from Symptoms:* By focusing on the supposed “high IQ” or intellectual “superiority,” the individual may ignore signs that he or she needs professional help.
Final Reflection
Therefore, there is no such thing as someone who is “crazy” by definition; there are multiple neurological and psychiatric conditions that can distort the perception of reality, affecting thinking, mood, and behavior. Some people, upon noticing signs of these changes, deny the possibility of a disorder and consider themselves brilliant, either through psychological escape or through failures in self-reflection processes. Recognizing that such behaviors are not “faking it,” but rather part of defense mechanisms and brain function, is crucial for health professionals, family members, and society to be able to provide adequate monitoring and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
