So many mental "disorders" would be cured by regular exercise, making friends, and finding a sense of purpose. All 3 of these have each been shown to be equal to antidepressants in terms of their impact on mental well-being. Since scientists realized the link between neurochemicals and thoughts, they seem to be obsessed about using chemicals to influence thoughts, when really they should be finding ways to think and act that restore the underlying chemical balance. Of course, so much of this has to do with the way mental health is funded, as you point out.
I couldn’t agree more. We are living in conditions out of alignment with what we are adapted for, like lions pacing in a zoo. I think most pharmaceutical companies are trying to work with what they know. They have their hammer, so everything will get a pounding. Most people would like an easy fix too. Relationships are hard, and there is no guarantee your effort will pay off. Easy answers are attractive.
My step one would be to address the perverse incentives that are driving us off a cliff, but the harder job will be convincing people to make commitments, sacrifice, and do hard things.
Thanks for the tip. I'll get it on my bookshelf. And you're right. People have no idea how bad it is, case in point, the book, "Your Consent is Not Required." The larger scandal is that the news media have been derelict of duty reporting on celebrity marriages and spreading lies for political parties, ignoring the horrors happening across several sectors. It's disgusting.
So many mental "disorders" would be cured by regular exercise, making friends, and finding a sense of purpose. All 3 of these have each been shown to be equal to antidepressants in terms of their impact on mental well-being. Since scientists realized the link between neurochemicals and thoughts, they seem to be obsessed about using chemicals to influence thoughts, when really they should be finding ways to think and act that restore the underlying chemical balance. Of course, so much of this has to do with the way mental health is funded, as you point out.
I couldn’t agree more. We are living in conditions out of alignment with what we are adapted for, like lions pacing in a zoo. I think most pharmaceutical companies are trying to work with what they know. They have their hammer, so everything will get a pounding. Most people would like an easy fix too. Relationships are hard, and there is no guarantee your effort will pay off. Easy answers are attractive.
My step one would be to address the perverse incentives that are driving us off a cliff, but the harder job will be convincing people to make commitments, sacrifice, and do hard things.
Please check out *Anatomy of an Epidemic* by Robert Whitaker.
It's so bad; people have no idea.
Thanks for the tip. I'll get it on my bookshelf. And you're right. People have no idea how bad it is, case in point, the book, "Your Consent is Not Required." The larger scandal is that the news media have been derelict of duty reporting on celebrity marriages and spreading lies for political parties, ignoring the horrors happening across several sectors. It's disgusting.