I'm not a Dr... but I've seen schizophrenics act like this.
Two distinct possibilities only from the description of the symptoms:
/1. schizophrenia
2. drug use
At this point, I would go to the Board of education and talk to the Director of Counseling for the school system. Hopefully, they will be able to evaluate the situation.
Good luck.
Well, the principal is scared that she could be sued, if the Board of Ed is told and acts, they could be sued. They never think of the effect it has on the children and the teacher himself. You realize he may not be aware of his actions. Not to gang up on him... get someone else you trust at work and engage him in a conversation, where the other person (if he displays these behaviors), can comment... in passing, where as you can remind him that you asked him about it before and has he seen anyone yet. Be prepared to have Names, addresses and phone numbers on hand to give to him... and tell him to just think about it.
I've known a lot of people who are constantly talking to themselves, I worked with one guy who carried on some pretty bizarre and lengthy discourses. Has this guy been like this the whole time you've known him, or is this a sudden change? If it's something new you are right to be concerned. More than once I've seen severe mental illness come over people extremely rapidly, and seemingly out of the blue, even if in hindsight one could see some underlying causes.
Good luck to you with this. If it's really mental illness that is the worst.
I know this is not a new idea on this thread, but it sounds like schizophrenia and/or drug abuse. Is there a way you can contact the school board about this person's strange behavior? Good luck to you (and to him), it's a difficult situation for all.
I know somebody a LOT like that. A co-worker of mine as well. Isn't he? Yes, he is... He's had ths smthms 4a lnnnngtm ne23... vraiment... hahahahhaahahhaha...
...now, um, what exactly was I saying?
Some of those symptoms are side effects of the use of anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety meds.
Sounds like a woman I work with who does that when her blood sugar is very low...we know then to tell her to eat a piece of candy
You're in Japan, ne?
muzukashii desu nee . . .
boku, shinrigaku o yoku naratta ...
For your own safety, do not confront or rationalize with him. It might help to laugh along with him etc. Believe that he actually hears voices and is talking to someone else.
A rule of thumb I always follow is: never tell a kichigai person that they are kichigai.
I've been like that for years, but I'm rich, so everyone loves me and calls me eccentric.
Turn him in to Big Brother, for his own good.
I talk to myself all the time when no one is listening. It's called marriage.
I work as an RD in a psychiatric hospital and most of our clients are schizophrenic....and his behavior sounds similar.
Unless he's willing to go to a Dr., the only way to get him help is if he threatens to hurt himself or someone else.
Do you know any of his family or close friends?
Can he spell? Does he have half a brain? Is he a good teacher? If so, leave him alone.
My daughter misspelled Condoleezza today by spelling it "C-o-n-d-o-l-e-e-z-z-a" on a test where the question was "Who is the current Secretary of the State of the United States?". I kid you not, she is writing Condoleezza Rice twenty times as I type. Only problem is that she has to spell it as "C-o-n-d-a-l-i-s-a". What can I say? She wanted to try high school instead of home school this year.
Hi Bud!
Professional ESL teacher here.
I assume you are in Japan teaching at a private ET company.
Start looking for a new position right away.
Your employers already know what your team teacher is like
and will do nothing and this guy WILL likely drive you baka! Its not worth the salary.
Just find another position, and leave as smoothly as possible.
/Johnny Carson voice
I'm a psychologist but not a clinician so keep in mind that this isn't my area of expertise. These are symptoms of schizophrenia (disorganized thinking, inappropriate affect, etc.), however, it could be a number of things. When someone presents with these kinds of symptoms we typically begin with a thorough physical exam to rule out organic causes (for example a brain tumor). It seems odd to me that the principal would not want to address this. Does he think that is job performance is satisfactory? If he really has these symptoms, I would think that his job performance would be sub par. Document specifics and keep going to the principal. Of course, you should continue talking to him about this problem and encouraging him to get help. Sometimes people feel less threatened if they can go to a general MD, rather than a psychologist or psychiatrist, so you might suggest that. Also, you can share your concerns with family, if you feel comfortable doing that.
Mad cow?