Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-07-08
SIGNS OF INSANITY.
By H. Addington Bruce
r INSANITY is not, as is widely thougt

r INSANITY is not, as is widely thought. a
disease that usually comes on suddenly.
AS rule there are premonitory symp-
toms, even in cases that become acute with
startling rapidity.
1t is important to know this because it is
in the early stages of insanity that most can
be done in the way of treatment. Also much
suffering for others may be averted if the true
state OF affairs is promptly appreciated.
Some of the most serious forms of insanity
for example, have as their first signs a SEEM
lngly unaccCuntable but truly deplOrable
change il the victims character.
Men who have been good, kind husbands
and fathers become brutal and tyrannical
Everything displeases them. They stay away
from home a great deal, perhaps take to
drink and to loose living generally.
Or under the influence of a developing
mental disease, the first noticeable change
may be in the reasoning faculty.
The business judgment weakens and reck-
lessness takes the place of prudence. Fool
ish investments are eagerly made Money is
thrown away in absurd purchases.
Self-confdence is abnormally heightened, so
that any attempt to point out the folly of
such conduct only excites anger The I'm
fortunate spendthrift imagines himself richer
and wiser than he really is, and will brook
no interference. Is
Affected by another form of mental NAL
ady, suspiciOusness is the chief feature of the
character change.
Personal losses and troubles of any kind
are attributed to the enyiOuS plotting of other
people. Those nearest and dearest may be
accused of scheming to ruin, even to kill, the
budding paranoiac.
Again, the onset Of insanity may be indi-
Gated by growing tendency to seclusiveness
The natural affections wane, and the social
sense is weakened, the victim withdrawing
more and more into himself. He becomes
moody and increasingly depressed.
Such a character change often denotes, in
adults, beginning of melanchoIia. In young
people it may signify dementia precoX.
To be sure, character changes like these.
are by no means infallble signs of insanity
They may evidence nothing more than
passing nervous disturbance, even when ae-
companied by physical signs such as extreme
and persistent headaches and increasing mus
cular tremors.
So that it would be unwse to fall into
panic if they make their appearance and to
Jump to the conclusion that they inevitably
indicate the presence of organic brain dis
ease. On the other hand, it would be equally
unwise to ignore them
Since they may mean true insanity, the
proper course is to try to ascertain If they
actually do mean this. There is just one way
to make sure, and that is through painstak-
ing examination by some expert in mental
disease.
To neglect to have examination made may
mean the missing of the one chance for a
lasting cure. 1t may also mean tragedy when,
the incipient insanity becoming fully devel-
oped, suicidal or murderous impulses are put
into effect
Copyright 1919, by the Associated News
paperS.)
you are suffering from brain fag and
ennui," announced the specialist. you should
take more interest in your business"
81 would like to-" replied the patient
Then why don't you?" demanded The
specialist.
THE law won't let me-" replied the patient
I'm a pawnbroker
Binks--"Do you anu your wife e.cr think
the same?"
Jinks-"When I'm cut late at the club we
'N Sic EG2HT thi2EiGg what she'll say
when l get home and 20 do l."