Annals of Inquiry: Read the Label How psychiatric diagnoses create identities.

I liked reading this article from The New Yorker discussing the psychiatric categories outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and their influence on people and their personalities. The article explores the intricacies and implications of psychiatric diagnosis and classification. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of naming and categorization in human understanding and control, drawing parallels to biblical narratives and philosophical concepts. Additionally, it delves into the history and development of psychiatric classification, particularly focusing on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and its impact on societal perceptions, medical treatment, and individual identity. The article also addresses the challenges and controversies surrounding current diagnostic practices, including the limitations of categorical approaches and the emergence of alternative models like the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). Ultimately, it highlights the significant influence of diagnostic labels on individuals' self-perceptions and experiences, while also questioning the validity and consequences of psychiatric classification systems.

Limited Time for Reading Books

I always thought it was my fault for not reading enough books, but now I realize that the heavy workload really prevents me from doing so. Most of the time that I dedicated to reading this weekend had to come directly from my work time. Right now, I really want to finish the book I'm reading, but I just don't have enough time. It's painful!

Marshmallow and Everyone Else

Yesterday, as we walked into the house after a 9-day trip, both Sophie and I were concerned about Marshmallow's wellbeing. I had done my best to prepare everything for his care, ensuring he had enough food and clean water for our time away. I even got him two types of food! However, things went wrong. The water was a mess—the tank's filtering system had malfunctioned, and the filter was clogged with some kind of slimy liquid. The water was murky, and fish food was scattered throughout the tank.

Sophie began to cry, but I tried to keep my emotions in check. We were all feeling the weight of another loss, and I couldn't help but blame myself for keeping a pet. This had happened before when we lost another fish, a loss I still grieve.

This is why I hesitated to get another fish. The pet fish was a gift to Sophie from her uncle. This was the first time Sophie had to grieve a loss, as she was too young during the previous incident. She tried to process her grief through art, creating a drawing for Marshmallow. I don't think she blamed us, but I did, and I still do. I struggle with the idea of keeping pets and supporting breeders. I'm sorry, Marshmallow. I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Mohammadreza, Mansoor, and everyone else.

Anatomy of a Disappearance Novel by Hisham Matar

خوندنی بود. شباهت هاش با نکاتی که در The Return آورده بود جالب بودن. می تونستی تشخیص بدی که اینجا موضوع واقعا تو زندگی خودش اتفاق افتاده. نمیشه گفت خیلی خوبه اما خوب بود.