March 17, 2009

Too terrible

Several years ago I had to take the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test as part of a job application. I'd never heard of it before, and most of the true-false statements had me saying "What the hell...?"

The one I really remember still is I sometimes have thoughts too terrible to tell.

As soon as I read it, twenty untellable thoughts came to mind, but I wasn't sure if I should admit that, and also, who was the judge of too terrible? I'm pretty sure I said false, and I got the job, so I suppose I passed the test. Years later I met a psych major who told me that the point of the MMPI wasn't to see if you answered correctly, it was to see if you answered sanely.

Anyway, this song isn't really about Alice or her restaurant.

The phrase thoughts too terrible to tell has stuck with me, and I have this mental image of a big metal box with clasps and a padlock, and that's where those thoughts get filed. And really, what's in there aren't necessarily my independent thoughts, but rather things I've seen and heard that I wish had never crossed the threshold of my brain.

And sometimes the terror is only in the context. If I'd read about severely emotionally disturbed kids and what their families go through a few years ago, I'd have thought, gee, that sucks, and moved along without considering the terrible thought file.

The last few weeks, I've been doing a lot of reading about mental illness in children, particularly bipolar disorder, and I'm not even bothering to close up the lid on the terrible thought files because I'm in there too often.

So my nephew, the eight-year-old second grader, the Wii master, hockey fan, math whiz who finds great humor in Spongebob Squarepants, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital last night.

My sister sounds less freaked than I do.

Now the longer I leave my box open and the more I dig through the files, I realize that we did not reach too terrible...but terrible enough from where I sit.

Posted by Nic at March 17, 2009 12:02 PM | TrackBack
Comments

I’m not sure where you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.

Posted by: Donny Eagon at April 12, 2012 02:38 AM

It’s laborious to seek out knowledgeable people on this subject, however you sound like you already know what you’re talking about! Thanks

Posted by: blackhawk holster pistol at April 15, 2012 07:47 PM

You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually something which I believe I might never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely wide for me. I am taking a look forward on your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!

Posted by: food storage containers made in usa at May 5, 2012 04:15 AM

I simply couldn't go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info an individual supply to your guests? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts

Posted by: Tisa Weishar at May 8, 2012 02:54 PM

We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You've done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

Posted by: women's denim jackets blazers at May 16, 2012 01:59 AM

For the reason that the YouTube video clips are posted here same like I also embed YouTube video code at my own web site, for the reason that it is simple to take embedded code.

Posted by: cvs futuro compression stockings at May 17, 2012 08:19 PM

Your blog could sound better if you do a quick grammar check.

Posted by: Newton Marking at February 4, 2013 01:25 AM

Good ?I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

Posted by: dvd to avi software at April 10, 2013 09:56 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?