When Trauma Due to Systematic Human Rights Violations are Mistakenly Diagnosed as Schizophrenia

                   This post was wrtten by ChatGPT, and the title was written by me. I am not diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Traumas are a real threat to good mental health condition. We all must face the truth about the causes of trauma and mental health. One of the first steps to healing is to acknowledge the violations and the right to justice, consequently reparations. .I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.    

                 The relationship between trauma and mental health is widely recognized, yet the clinical consequences of misinterpreting trauma-related symptoms remain deeply concerning. In contexts where individuals endure systematic human rights violations—such as intrusive surveillance, political persecution, torture, forced displacement, state violence, and prolonged social  and state oppression—the psychological aftermath can be profound. Unfortunately, these trauma-induced expressions of distress are sometimes misunderstood within psychiatric settings and are erroneously diagnosed as schizophrenia. This misdiagnosis not only obscures the true source of suffering but can also reinforce the harm originally inflicted.  Systematic human rights violations often produce chronic, complex trauma that affects perception, cognition, and emotional regulation. Survivors may experience intrusive memories, hypervigilance, dissociative episodes, nightmares, mistrust, and a persistent sense of threat. These symptoms, while indicative of post-traumatic stress and complex trauma, can superficially resemble the hallmarks of psychotic disorders. For instance, an individual who appears paranoid may not be experiencing delusions at all; rather, they may be responding to a very real history of surveillance, harassment, or violence. Their fear is grounded not in psychosis, but in lived experience.  The danger arises when clinicians, unfamiliar with the political or social context of the patient’s trauma, interpret these reactions through a narrow biomedical lens. Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, can become a default diagnosis when behavior does not neatly fit conventional expectations. Without careful assessment of personal history, cultural background, and environmental conditions, trauma-related survival responses are easily misread as symptoms of a primary psychotic disorder.  Misdiagnosis carries significant consequences. Once labeled schizophrenic, survivors may be prescribed powerful antipsychotic medications that fail to address the underlying trauma and may cause further distress. More importantly, the diagnostic error invalidates the individual’s narrative and can further silence their experience of human rights abuses. In some cases, misdiagnosis itself becomes a tool of repression, delegitimizing claims of persecution by framing them as “delusional.” This has occurred historically in authoritarian regimes and can still happen in more subtle forms today, especially among persons disproportionately exposed to discrimination.  A more just and accurate approach requires trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health care. Clinicians must understand that trauma can shape cognition in ways that appear unusual but are not pathological. Building trust, ensuring safety, and encouraging the survivor’s voice are essential start points. Comprehensive assessment should include exploration of past harmed, political context, forced migration experiences, and systemic oppression. Collaboration between mental health professionals, human rights organizations, and community advocates strengthens diagnostic accuracy and supports survivor-centered care.  Recognizing trauma as the root of certain psychological symptoms does more than correct a diagnostic mistake—it restores dignity. It acknowledges that human distress often emerges from human actions, especially when those actions violate fundamental rights. By improving our ability to differentiate trauma responses from psychotic disorders, we take a crucial step toward both healing and justice.

Human Rights Day 2025

            Eleven days ago, precisely on 10th of December, all over the world remembered the importance of human rights and the fight for justice when they are disrespected. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated, never was so harmed, humilliated and bullied but now all the world is demanding justice. Join us in this worldwide movement for justice, democracy and my political rights.  .I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.     This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2025/11/human-rights-day-2025-our-everyday-essentials. The second was published at https://www.cesr.org/human-rights-day-2025-reclaiming-human-dignity-in-a-moment-of-strained-foundations/

              "Human rights are our compass in turbulent times, guiding and steading us through uncertainty," said UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, marking the launch of the 2025 Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10. "Inequalities are rising, conflicts are raging, the climate emergency is mounting, and some are creating and trying to deepen divisions within societies and between countries. But we must not give up," said Turk in his video message. "We need more solidarity and more human rights to address the current challenges. It is crucial to keep advocating for our fundamental rights," he said. Our Everyday Essentials, this year's UN Human Rights Day Campaign, seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the UDHR and its core values, equality, justice, freedom, and dignity, reminding us that human rights remain a steadfast promise for society. This campaign highlights two interconnected aspects of human rights: the extraordinary nature of their founding as one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges, and their everyday, essential presence woven into our lives. The abstract becomes real when we realize that everyday actions, spending time with family, reading news, walking freely, drinking clean water, or enjoying a meal, are made possible by human rights in practice. By bridging the gap between the principles of human rights and daily experiences, Our Everyday Essentials campaign seeks to raise awareness, inspire confidence, and encourage collective action. Beyond inviting reflection, the campaign provides a space for people to share what they consider essential in their lives, transforming the concept of connection into a concrete reality. Together, these personal experiences form a rich mosaic of voices and perspectives.                                                                                                                                                       Alongside the crises affecting people's daily lives, anti rights networks all over the globe continued to promote messages designed to narrow who is considered deserving of rights. These actors often use fear, misinformation, and selective outrage to divide communities along artificial lines. They question the legitimacy of the human rights framework and try to erode public support for equality, inclusion and social protection. In this context, defending human rights means reaffirming their value in people's daily lives and expanding the coalitions that can advance them. It involves telling stories about how rights support shared prosperity, safety, and belonging, and highlighting whose interests are served when these commitments are weakened. Here, we summarize some of the strategies employed to protect and harness the power of human rights. Real progress depends on the connections that allow people to coordinate their efforts and shape shared strategies. Across issues and regions, advocates need spaces where they can compare their realities, understand how economic rules influence them, and chart common paths forward. This connective work is often overlooked, yet it is essential for building power and sustain change.  We can contribute to this infrastructure by bringing together grassroots organizer, academic researchers, civil society networks, and public officials. We create opportunities to exchange insights, explore the links between fiscal choices and rights, This year, we helped deepen the conversation about how across many contexts, people are already building the alliances needed for transformation. They work across border and sectors, strengthen local and global links, and imagine economic systems that protect dignity. This is the story we honour on Human Rights Day. A story of dignity defended, freedom asserted, and justice demanded again and again, against the odds. If this year has shown us anything, it is this: human rights can't be fulfilled without adequate financing, they're intimately connected to the economic rules that shape people's daily realities. Economic and social rights give democracy its substance, multilateralism its legitimacy, and communties their power to confront corporate abuse and populism. That is why, more than ever, we must join forces across movements, regions and generations. We must work together for rights that redistributes power, resources, and opportunities, rights that places dignity, freedom and justice at the center of global-decision making. On this Human Rights Day, we recommit to this work with renewed clarity and resolve, because another world is possible. Together, we are already building it.             

International Human Rights Defenders Day

                   Last Tuesday, precisely 9th of December, all the world celebrated the fighting, the courage, the sacrifice, the resilience, the work of the human rights defenders.I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.    This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.internationaldays.co/event/international-human-rights-defenders-day/r/recUe5PYdSrs6Edw9. The second was published at https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/oped-rights-defenders-pay-high-price-for-change/

                      International Human Rights Defenders Day is held on December 9th. This observance raises awareness of the abuses peaceful human rights defenders experience, including being prosecuted, convicted, jailed, intimidated, tortured, and sometimes killed. These acts of violence involve human rights activists, land and environmental defenders, trade unionists, affected community members, and civil society organizations at the forefront of protecting rights and civic freedoms. More than ever, states must ensure that human rights defenders have safe, open, accessible, and favorable environment to work.                                                                                                    Across the globe people are standing up for justice, dignity, and basic rights. The world is witnessing a sharp rise in protest repression, even in so-called democratic states. The CIVICUS Monitor paints a worrying picture: only 40% out of 198 countries maintain an open civic space. Freedom of expression violations appeared in 49 countries, while peaceful assembly violations made up 29%. Alarmingly, detention of human rights defenders was recorded in at least 58 countries. Such repression can take place anywhere, from authoritarian countries to what are considered to be mature democracies. With nations previously known for their civil liberties added to the CIVICUS Watchlist for decline in civic freedoms. When democracies tighten civic space, authoritarian actors feel empowered to escalate their own crackdowns. This is a dangerous trend. Takaedza comes from Zimbabwe, where his journey as a protest organizer taught him what state repression looks like up close. Asma was arrested in Bahrain for organizing protests. She is now exiled in France because she dared to demand rights that should never be negotiable. Today, Asma leads the, 'Stand As My Witness' campaign at CIVICUS, which advocates for the release of imprisoned human rights defenders around the world. We do this work professionally, but we also know what it means to be persecuted and to feel abandoned. To the contrary, we know how life-changing it can be when the world stands in solidarity with you. To be persecuted for speaking out is not just a legal issue, it is emotional, mental and deeply personal. The results are isolation and fear, and not to mention the constant threat that your activism might cost your freedom, or worsen your life. But it is also resilience. It is the stremgth of knowing you are not alone. And that's where you reader, come in. This fight is yours too. Here is you, and the rest of the world, can stand with those risking everything for justice. Some regimes are sensitive to international perception. Public exposure through social media, open letters and campaigns like Stand As My Witmess, can be a poweful deterrent. When defenders are imprisoned, they often feel abandoned, but just knowing their names are being spoken and their stories are being shared gives them strength. Solidarity is not symbolic, it is strategic. It reminds governments that the world is watching, and assures imprisoned activists that they are not alone. Many human rights defenders operates under immense strain with limited resources. Help shift the narrative from passive sympathy to active solidarity. Fight for your rights at home and abroad, call on governments to respond. That means pushing your elected officials to speak out on local and global abuses, provide asylum for persecuted human rights defenders, and safeguard civic space as a whole. Democracy is not static. When we lose it in one place, we all feel the effects. If you lose your ability to protest peacefully in your own country, it will be even harder to stand up for the rights of others across borders. Next, use your platforms, whatever it is. Whether you are an artist, educator, influencer, student, or professional, use your space of expression to amplify human rights defenders' voices. Bring their stories into classroom, to the media, and to workplaces. Advocate for them publicly. Help shift the narrative from passive sympathy to active solidarity. Last of all, don't forget to celebrate human rights defenders only at negative times such as when they are imprisoned or killed. Their courage deserves celebration. Nominating them for awards, fellowships, scholarships, candidacy for public offices. Change is possible as long as across the globe, people organize, resist, and imagine a more just and free world. If we want a world where justice is not punished, where peaceful protest is not criminalized, where human rights defenders don't pay with their lives, then we must act now.

Understand the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale

                       Psychology is the most wanted course in the public university here in J.F. It is good to know that the students understand the necessity and the demand for better mental health here. For twenty five years I've been suffering with high stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression but now all th world is demanding justice. I'd like to thank all support and solidarity. For many years I've been hearing that people don't care about injustice, but now we all know that it is a lie. I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.      This post is a summary of the article published in 2023 at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9850126/

                 Oppression refers to systemic discrimination where the injustice targets or disproportionately impacts specific groups of people. The Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS) is a sel-report measure designed to assess the traumatizing impact of discrimination broadly by measuring anxiety-related symptoms of trauma due to discriminatory experiences. This may include symptoms arising from many forms of marginalization. The relationship of TSDS scores to clinical psychopathologies are examined, including stress, depression, anxiety, and Pos-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We also examine how having multiple marginalized identities increase traumatization. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. Oppression describes an asymmetrical power dynamic characterized by domination and subordination of a group by restricting access to social, economic, and political resources. Subordinated groups experience fear, stress, and may develop negative views of themselves. As a chronic stressor, oppression can lead to poor mental health. Studies consistently link increased vulnerability to negative mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, major depression, panic and phobic disorders, as well as antisocial personality. Oppression predicts poor mental health. A meta-analysis of 66 studies concluded increased exposure to stress from discrimination was a stronger predictor of depression and anxiety. As chronic experiences, oppression can even be traumatizing. Despite the growing evidence showing oppression-based stress can be traumatic and relates to symptoms of PTSD, research on oppression-based stress and trauma is limited. The Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS) is a 21 item self-report measure that broadly assess the traumatizing impact of discrimination. This study shows trauma symptoms increased with recent and past experiences of discrimination, and microaggressions. We found intersectionality and multiple stigmatized identities increases risk for trauma symptoms, which is somewhat consistent with the literature. People with more marginalized identities are more likely to have trauma symptoms, with the larger impact seen in non-white hispanic Americans and sexual minorities. These identities alone were associated with comparable or greater discriminatory trauma. Nonetheless, clinicians should be aware that greater intersectionality is more likely to signal cumulative trauma, and it also can be an impediment to treatment, as has been seen with other disorders as well. A culturally-informed approach to care is critical. Likewise, the 2014 American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics calls for multicultural/diversity competence and justice advocacy. Justice-oriented critics of clinical psychology, however, rebuke the field for its lack of institutionalized support of an intersectional awareness competency, particularly its failure to integrate diversity perspectives. Indeed, despite clear mandates for culturally-informed approaches, clinicians are not trained to assist patients experiencing distress due to marginalized identities. Therapists should assess all patients for PTSD symptoms from discrimination. They may need to ask specifically about these experiences. Coping skills should be tailored to address the patient's unique intersectional stressors, however coping should not be a substitute for empowerment, as treatment should also explore reducing discrimination in the person's daily environment. Proactive strategies can serve to inoculate against the effects of the cumulative buildup of betrayal traumas and systemic discrimination.

80th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation - Part II

                       The U.N. should have more support of all nations around the world. We all have the duty to fight corruption, human rights violations, injustice, authoritarianism, lies, and everything that cause suffering to humans.  I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.      This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.undp.org/saudi-arabia/press-releases/80-years-un-turning-global-ideals-local-impact.  The second was published at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-priorities-united-nations_en

                     Eighty years ago, in the aftermath of the most devastating conflict in human history, a new hope was born. The United Nations was created not only as an institution, but as an idea, one rooted in peace, human dignity, justice, and the shared responsibility to build a better world for all. But ideals can't live on paper alone. They must be nurtured, anchored in laws and institutions, and translated into development plans, national visions, and practical actions that reach communities everywhere. They require a collective effort to convene, coordinate, and connect all available energies in pursuit of something greater than ourselves. This is the mission carried every day by the U.N. system. And at the heart of that mission, turning aspiration into transformation stands the U.N. Development Programme. Across the globe, U.N.D.P. works hand in hand with governments and communities to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and support sustainable growth. As the U.N. marks its 80th anniversary, and U.N.D.P. marks its 60th anniversary, we celebrate not only the past but the future, a future built on cooperation, on shared purpose, and on the belief that real change is possible when we work together.                                                                                                                                                                                  The E.U. remains a predicable, reliable and credible partner, committed to deliver on global commitments, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future. The E.U. stands ready to engage with partners in driving forward U.N. reform through the "UN80 Initiative" towards a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive UN. The following five priorities will guide E.U. action at the UN over the next coming year. 1) Support a multilateral system based on international law and the universality of human rights.  2) Advance comprehensive reforms to reinvigorate the UN system, and pursue effective partnerships.  3) Strengthen the UN peace and security architecture.  4) Advance sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda.  5) Address the triple planetary crisis. (climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution). As the UN approaches its 80th anniversary, the EU actively supports the UN80 initiative, launched by the UN Secretary-General to enhance efficiency, improve mandate delivery, and undertake strategic reform, as confirmed by EU leaders in March 2025. As the largest financial contributor to the UN, the EU plays a constructive role in supporting a stronger, more agile and resilient organisation. The EU views the UN80 initiative as a unique opportunity to advance structural efficiencies, refocus the UN on its core mandates, and rebuild global trust in multilateralism. The EU also supports broader reform efforts, including the Pact for the Future, and will continue to work with the UN and all partners to ensure a coherent, inclusive and forward-looking multilateral system fit for the 21st century.

80th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation

              One month ago, precisely on 24th October, the United Nations was created. This post is a tribute to this important organisation, but in many people's opinion, the U.N. could do a lot more to protect human rights, peace and democracy around the world.     I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010. And my right to know the exact number of visualizations it is not the only violation of human rights I am a victim.   This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.un.org/en/UN80.     The second was published at https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/09/un-marking-80th-anniversary-plan-for-change/

                   By promoting peace, human rights and social progress, including access to healthcare and education, the United Nations has improved the lives of people around the world, creating better living standards for all. The U.N. remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights. It works to help countries end the horrors of conflict to forge sustainable peace. The U.N. stand up for justice and respect for human rights. It documents human rights violations worldwide, advocates for robust human rights protections, promotes compliance with international laws and standards. Together with its specialized agencies it tackles poverty, hunger and disease and provide humanitarian relief in emergencies and crises. Over the last eight decades, U.N. health agencies have vastly improved child and maternal mortality, saved millions of lives with immunization, and prevented and controlled the spread of deadly disease like malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Eighty years after its founding, the United Nations faces new challenges. The climate crisis is raging and inequalities are growing. Terrorism and the nuclear threat persist, and new threats have emerged as A. I. becomes ubiquitous, rushing ahead of regulation. In March 2025, the Secretary-General launched the U.N.80 initiative to transform how the U.N. works, identifying efficiencies, reviewing how mandates are implemented and examining structural changes and programme realignment within the U.N. system. The Pact for the Future aims to strengthen global cooperation for the 21st century and rebuild trust in multilateralism and the Security Council, The Pact includes support for SDG to help developing countries to invest in their people and tackle challenges, like moving to a future in renewable.                                                                                                                                                                         The U.N. marks its 80th anniversary this year, at a time and in a world that are remarkably different from those it was born into, and yet which also bear some striking similarities. Officially entering into existence on 24 October 1945, the U.N. set out its aims in its Charter, including to "maintain international peace and security", "reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights", and "promote social progress and better standards of life" and ensure "justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law". It initially had 51 members and now has 193, and like its membership its mission has also slowly expanded, evolving into areas such creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting financing for development purposes. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (whose term ends in December 2026) now wants the U.N. to review its role and has used the opportunity of its anniversary to launch the U.N.80 Initiative, "a system -wide push to streamline operations, sharpen impact and reaffirm the U.N.'s relevance for a rapidly changing world". The U.N.80 process will involve three tracks of reform. The first will aim to improve internal efficiency and effectiveness through "cutting red tape and optimizing the U.N.'s global footprint by relocating some functions to lower cost duty stations". The second will examine the thousands of mandate documents that dictate what the U.N. does in order to remove those that have become outdated and prioritise the organization's aims and work. The third will look at whether "structural changes and programmes realignment are needed across the U.N. system" to simplify operations. With the U.N.'s budget under pressure from governments cutting aid, some have claimed U.N.80 is a cost-saving exercise. The U.N.80 Initiative calls for the reform process to be "inclusive and transparent", having marginalized voices as being crucial to securing peace. Inclusion will be critical to securing progress on the SDGs, too. A more inclusive U.N. that reflects the voices, needs and priorities of member states and other stakeholders strengthens legitimacy and trust, making its decisions and actions more representative and sustainable.

Day of Fighting Injustice - 2025

                         Almost three months ago, precisely on 23rd of August was celebrated in Brazil, the day of fighting injustice. We all must defend justice, because when there is some systematic injustice happening for so long, a dangerous precedent can happen, destroying democracy, undermining rule of law and human rights and possibly spreading more injustice. So, the public trust in our institutions is severely harmed. Besides, when there is not justice, the abuses tend to grow, spreading and affecting many more people. So if you have witnessed any violation of human rights, record it and help fight injustice.  The systematic violations, the impunity, the daily bullying on mainstream media, the threats online and offline exist to do the victims give up to fight for their rights and reparations.  We all should recognize who have courage to defend our human rights including our political rights. Because always there are costs to do this, so help who is losing to defend our rights. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated for so long time, but now all the world is demanding justice. This post is a summary of two article. The first was published at https://www.beyondintractability.org/cci-mbi-cv19-blog/burgess-current-past-oppression. The second was published at https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-september-2025/The-Best-Way-to-Respond-to-Injustice/

                     From its earliest days, human society has been plagued by greedy individuals determined to dominate, oppress and exploit others. Social evolution has been shaped by a continuing struggle between these individuals and the larger society that they seek to oppress and exploit. Many of history's greatest accomplishment have been focused on taking one oppressive strategy after another off the table. These include, at least for the U.S., The English Common Law, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the 1964 Civil Rights Act. and Roe v. Wade. Other milestones included abandonment of the European colonial empires. Still, the desire to exploit others is a monster that respond to each defeat with some sort of clever workaround that will continue to threaten society. Against this backdrop, the test of each generation is not vehemence with which it searches the historical record for perpetrators of past acts of oppression and its ability to posthumously disgrace them. It is the ability of a society to recognize and combat the innovative new forms of oppression that are having such a huge impact on the lives of people now. While it is, of course, always good to correct the record with respect to past oppression, it is critically important that these historical revisions also acknowledge the positive steps that have been taken, steps that need to be defended and strengthened. Discounting the importance of these steps would do much to strengthen the hand of current-day oppressors since it would undermine some of the best, currently-available tools for defending the interests of the larger population. Beyond this, we need to support vigorous and sophisticated efforts to expose the deceptive forms of oppression that characterize today's world and build the kind of broadly-based coalition needed to effectively challenge them. Obviously, the building of such coalition will only be possible if people resist the divide-and-conquer strategies that contemporary oppressors are using to weaken those who values human rights and justice. To succeed, we need to work together to address current-day oppression.                                                                                                                                            We live in an unjust world. People are treated unfairly for many reasons. They suffer the effects of problems caused or worsened by greedy executives and corrupt officials. These and other injustices affect us all, either directly or indirectly. It is not surprising that many are angry about the injustice they see in the world today. We all want to live in a world where we feel safe and are treated fairly. Some get involved in protests, sign petitions and support political leaders who promise to fight injustice. Still, we can't help but be dismayed, even angry, when we see someone being treated unfairly. We may wonder: 'How should I respond? Is there anything I can do about injustice right now? We may not be able to control the unjust actions of others, but we can control our own actions. The most important way we can respond to injustice is by sharing truths with others. We should reveal not only why there is so much injustice but also how we feel about the distress that it causes us. May we continue to preach the good news we all eagerly looking forward to the time when the earth will be filled with justice and righteousness.