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| balto |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 09:46:34
This was emailed to me and I like to share it here. I thought is was very interesting. It was wrote by a 23 years old Psychology graduate.
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"HOW DOES CULTURE PLAY A FACTOR IN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
I think those with even a basic understanding of psychology can look around their world and see how we are constantly being conditioned towards suffering. It is evident in the way we perceive the world through our TVs: the fear mongering we hear in the mass media to the commercialism on every channel and every show. Very few mediums in our American culture exist solely on their mastery of art or meaning. Instead, we have, to some extent, sacrificed the meaningful life for the life of pleasure, luxury and convenience. We are a society that has largely dulled our senses through the overstimulation of mindless pleasure and entertainment. We are motivated by what makes us feel good, in the most hedonistic sense of the word. Many, driven by these desires, live a life of mediocrity and passivity. And if were not motivated by pleasure in one moment, we are motivated by fear in the next. These are the kinds of emotions (or mental defilements) that have us at a never-ending tug of war. It is hard to find inner peace in the industrialized world. It is loud, noisy, and busy, no wonder that so many of us feel so anxious, cold and empty.
Our intelligence as a civilized nation is insurmountable. It has led us to tremendous breakthroughs in material well-being, the treatment of biological illnesses, technology, and entertainment. But then why are so many people not happy with it all? Even those with nice houses and nice families feel overwhelmed by it all. There is no space and time for just peace and me. We find ourselves trapped in a meaningless and destructive worldview driven only by more and more consumption. Many have a false, simple unrealistic and unattainable view on what is true happiness.
HOW DO WE FIND SATISFACTION THAT LASTS
It is easy enough to see that modern society is continuing to grow more and more unsatisfied with life despite the wonderful economic growth we have experienced since our birth as a country (I am speaking for the U.S. here). Many of these individuals who suffer have been born into unfortunate circumstances such as with biological and neurological illnesses that have handicapped these individuals’ capacity to live life fully. But also many of these individuals are unsatisfied due to psychosocial factors. The scientific field of psychology, and especially clinical psychology which is intended to help others who are suffering, cannot ignore the relevance of psychosocial factors in replace of a more “hard science” biological approach. If it did, it would be neglecting others in need of psychological fulfillment.
We simple cannot blame life solely on predetermined biological make-up. The experience of life impacts us too. Acknowledging one’s creative role in life empowers the individual. By find the desire to achieve better habits of living, and not simply be a victim of circumstances, we better equip ourselves to cultivate healthy habits of both mind and body (action/behavior). This means finding a solid and useful value system, finding a sense of morality and meaning in one’s life, and to be guided by these values and beliefs. This does not mean simply valuing the life of pleasure, self-serving, quick fixes and convenience (which do have their rightful place in our life), but to also value the life of engagement, friends and family, meaning and compassion toward others.
Mental health is more than just having the right chemicals in the right parts of the brain. It is about a strong, guiding value system that serves one’s interests and creative potential. It’s about good action, altruistic deeds, provoking reality, being of positive value to one’s society, and pursuing the arts. To this extent, we must all have what I call a “spiritual” aspect to our beings if we want to experience real and lasting happiness.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I would like to see psychology pay greater attention to the life of engagement and meaning. The so called “spirit” of man. We need to also accept that first and foremost psychology is a social science; we need to study humans in the context of their whole environment and being, not just inside their brains. I am hardly the only person advocating a more holistic, even ecological, approach to psychology. By this I am referring to a psychology that recognizes the importance of a meaningful relationship between Self and World, not simply Self with Self, and especially not simply the biological Self with Self – that is what doctors and psychiatrists are for. But for the people who aren’t broken, perhaps we just need a more enlightening worldview, one that is centered around meaning, purpose, creativity, intelligence, good morality, love and compassion.
The study of the mind must also be about personal development and self-actualization. How individuals can create a powerful and real effect on their life and well-being; through the power of thoughts, positive values, strong attention, and good self-monitoring skills. The quest for psychological well-being is more than just those overcoming physical limitations, it is the search for inner peace – an inner satisfaction towards the role one plays in this marvelous theater called life.
Wrote by Steven Handel" |
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