Depression (psych labels in general) reflect the dis-ease of civilization

Depression (psych labels in general) reflect the dis-ease of civilization: we are disconnected from who we are in multiple ways

I’m republishing this as it’s another post that looks at a foundational social aspect to that which gets labeled pathological by psychiatry. This also supports the collection here: there is no such thing as a monolithic state called depression. 

Dr. Stephen Ilardi is a professor of clinical psychology and the author of The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duke University in 1995, and has since served on the faculties of the University of Colorado and (presently) the University of Kansas. The author of over 40 professional articles on mental illness, Dr. Ilardi is a nationally recognized expert on depression.

Hat tip for the video from Mad in America: Living in an age of melancholy: When society becomes depressed

To read more about this idea do read the below article where Douglas Block talks about some of the many ways we’re disconnected from life and each other.

His conclusion resonates strongly with the work here on Beyond Meds:

The theme of this article is that we can no longer afford to view depression solely as a problem of the individual. The health of the society and the health of its individuals are inextricably linked. To end the worldwide epidemic of depression, we must combine individual psychological therapies with new social and economic systems that respect the earth and more fairly distribute the worlds resources. Such models already exist. What we need is the political will to implement them. If we can do so, we will be able to create a more equitable culture that optimizes the mental and emotional health of each of its ciitizens. (read more of Douglas Blocks article here)

Joanna Macy does work that supports this perspective as well:

• Is it possible to hold all the grief in the world and not get crushed by it?

• On Staying Sane in a Suicidal Culture

• Let your pain tell you that you are not alone

• Transforming despair

How do we get disconnected? Looking at trauma is one way into the puzzle.

• Mental illness, addiction & most chronic illness is linked to childhood loss & trauma

• Psychiatry ignores trauma says Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

And for more on the topic of depression and what it might be and alternative ways of considering it as well as healing, visit today’s earlier post here on Beyond Meds: there is no such thing as a monolithic state called depression. It includes commentary and numerous links to additional information.

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