Human
emotions are more sophisticated and complex when compared to any other animal
on the planet. Our emotions are like a double edged sword, too little or too
much can lead to disastrous consequences while just the right amount can lead
to productivity, achievement, altruism and greatness. Blinding rage can happen
to anybody under certain circumstances. However it is more likely to occur
among those who have established difficulties regulating their emotions.
Over many
years I have worked with children as young as 3 and I have come across a few
that are enveloped with blinding rage. When calm they tend to be logical,
reasonable and capable of normal interactions. But when enraged, all logical
thinking goes out the window leading to destruction of self, others or both
like in the Sandy Hook and other mass massacre shootings.
Other
factors that play in the lack of control of emotional rage are the presence of
neurobiological illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression,
poor impulse control in the form of ADHD resulting in emotional impulsivity and
social skill deficits. The use of drugs and alcohol can also lead to lapses in
judgment and dangerous behaviors.
So what do
you do with a 6 year old who wants to kill or assault everyone within sight when
set off by the smallest emotional trigger? Do you blame the parents, the child’s
genes, the child’s traumatic experiences or the violence ridden neighborhood? The few lucky ones living in states like NY
that has some mental health services might get help. Otherwise they may go in
and out of hospitals, clinics and eventually juvenile detention centers. I do
understand the plight of mothers like Liza Long the “Anarchist Soccer Mom,” as
parents like her might find themselves stuck either because of uncontrollable
circumstances or their self-made situations.
As long as
humans inhabit this planet, blinding and illogical rage is here to stay. The
bottom line is that there are two choices to prevent carnage of innocent lives.
Either fix the emotional landscape of human functioning and accountability or
fix the gun laws. I think it is easier to amend gun laws to make it harder for
lethal weapons to fall into the wrong hands. But this can happen only if all politicians
put their personal and political agendas and emotions aside.
By Preetham Grandhi MD
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