Language Behavior in Manic Patients

Abstract

A PREVIOUS publication1 reported some quantitative characteristics of the structure of manic speech. Function, as revealed by the pattern of language, is the focus of the present study. Judgments of design, motivation, relationships, intensity, and value become inseparable from even the simplest observations made upon language as a unit of behavior, as distinct from those made upon language as a codified system of signs. Hence these observations are presented as an attempt to differentiate various aspects of language behavior, and are a preliminary approximation rather than an exposition of fact.Language is both a highly flexible and, at the same time, very rigidly determined form of behavior. While it varies sensitively with the individuality of the speaker, it bears also the impress of a pattern that transcends the individual and reflects the common denominators of mental and emotional states. This paper is one of the series on language. Dr. Stanley Cobb has given helpful criticism.

In an Absolute State: Elevated Use of Absolutist Words Is a Marker Specific to Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation

“…Previous text analysis research has examined many different dictionary “dimensions.” When analyzing written samples from anxious, depressed, or suicidal individuals, an increased use of personal pronouns and negative emotion words has commonly been found (Bucci & Freedman, 1981; Fekete, 2002; Lorenz & Cobb, 1952; Rude, Gortner, & Pennebaker, 2004; Stirman & Pennebaker, 2001; Weintraub, 1981). In particular, pronouns have been identified as having a stronger relationship with affective disorder than negative emotions (Pennebaker & Chung, 2013).…”

Psychological Aspects of Natural Language Use: Our Words, Our Selves

“…They also made fewer references to other people and used more words associated with death. Finally, Lorenz & Cobb (1952) analyzed the language of 10 manic patients and also found that manics use first person singular references at a higher rate. Taken together, the convergent results from studies of depression, suicidal ideation, and mania suggest that affective disorders are characterized by a high degree of self-preoccupation.…”

The effects of giving on givers.

“…This method is useful because unlike something as chronic as a trait or set of core motives, there are likely changes in pronoun use within individuals depending on situations. Several studies have found that depressed or bipolar individuals use more first person singular pronouns than controls, especially the word "I" (Bucci & Freedman, 1981;Lorenz & Cobb, 1952;Rude, Gortner, & Pennebaker, 2004;Weintraub, 1981). Although the direction of causality is unclear, these studies suggest that excessive self-focus is at the very least a signal of poor mental health.…”