Some useful definitions (from the American Heritage Dictionary)
meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a n. 1. A psychopathological condition in which delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence predominate. 2. An obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions. --meg·a·lo·ma·ni·ac n. --meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a·cal or meg·a·lo·man·ic adj.
par·a·noi·a n. 1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason. 2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others. [Greek, madness, from paranoos, demented : para-, beyond; see PARA-1 + nous, noos, mind.]
It was pointed out to me a long time ago by a mental health worker that most of what we recognize as mental illness is no more than the perfection in an individual of an otherwise normal personality trait. Perhaps it does take one to know one. We should take advantage of this knowledge.
com·mis·sar n. 1.a. An official of the Communist Party in charge of political indoctrination and the enforcement of party loyalty. b. The head of a commissariat in the Soviet Union until 1946. 2. A person who tries to control public opinion. [Russian komissar, from German Kommissar, deputy, from Medieval Latin commissarius, agent. See COMMISSARY.]
ol·i·gar·chy n., pl. ol·i·gar·chies. 1.a. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families. b. Those making up such a government. 2. A state governed by a few persons.
meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a n. 1. A psychopathological condition in which delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence predominate. 2. An obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions. --meg·a·lo·ma·ni·ac n. --meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a·cal or meg·a·lo·man·ic adj.
par·a·noi·a n. 1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason. 2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others. [Greek, madness, from paranoos, demented : para-, beyond; see PARA-1 + nous, noos, mind.]
It was pointed out to me a long time ago by a mental health worker that most of what we recognize as mental illness is no more than the perfection in an individual of an otherwise normal personality trait. Perhaps it does take one to know one. We should take advantage of this knowledge.
com·mis·sar n. 1.a. An official of the Communist Party in charge of political indoctrination and the enforcement of party loyalty. b. The head of a commissariat in the Soviet Union until 1946. 2. A person who tries to control public opinion. [Russian komissar, from German Kommissar, deputy, from Medieval Latin commissarius, agent. See COMMISSARY.]
ol·i·gar·chy n., pl. ol·i·gar·chies. 1.a. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families. b. Those making up such a government. 2. A state governed by a few persons.