Society and Mental Illness

For a while now I have taken an interest in social-psychology. Not with society's reaction to mental illness (the stigma and so on) but with psychology applied to a study of society. The man I read most is a late German gentleman called Erich Fromm. He makes a damning critique of (post) industrial society and mature capitalism. He notes that the "most advanced" nations on earth have the worst murder, suicide, and alcoholism rates. (Though these figures maya have changed by now).

So my question is: does mental illness have some roots in society? If so, then to what degree? Or . . . is it all genetics or something?

guydebord wrote:So my question is: does mental illness have some roots in society? If so, then to what degree? Or . . . is it all genetics or something?

Hi there,

Yes, all possibilities are there. You know sometimes someone becomes depressed under high society pressured. It affects on person's mind and his/her thinking. Sometimes genetics play crucial role for mental illness. How to keep mental health good, It is in our hand.

Yeah there was a radio show on last night called 'the medicalisation of normality' or something along those lines.
the main issues were that drugs companies are at the end of the day profit organisations and patient welfare is only a secondary concern.
In our western capitalist society, 'normality' is often only considered to be the ability to contribute to the economy i.e. work
There is very little evidence of natural selection among humans at present or for centuries past and we are not designed for the mental stresses of work nowadays. Some argued that society has evolved but the human has not followed biologically, which leads to many cracking under modern stresses.
Modern tribes people do not medicate those with mental problems as we do, but reduce their duties. This is seen by many as a better way to deal with such problems. At the end of the day we can only do so much.

Murderface wrote:Yeah there was a radio show on last night called 'the medicalisation of normality' or something along those lines.
the main issues were that drugs companies are at the end of the day profit organisations and patient welfare is only a secondary concern.
In our western capitalist society, 'normality' is often only considered to be the ability to contribute to the economy i.e. work
There is very little evidence of natural selection among humans at present or for centuries past and we are not designed for the mental stresses of work nowadays. Some argued that society has evolved but the human has not followed biologically, which leads to many cracking under modern stresses.
Modern tribes people do not medicate those with mental problems as we do, but reduce their duties. This is seen by many as a better way to deal with such problems. At the end of the day we can only do so much.

Society does have systems in place ie, welfare and disability but it is general consesus if you are able to work you should work which like you said puts presure onto those with problems and even those without. I don't know how many times I try to tell my doctor the reason I want to go to Mexico is because it is better for me. For the more laid back atmosphere and family ties in Mexico... but he believes and won't listen that it is better to live in Canada because there is more money here.... But I'm not good with money I save it up and go travel or spend it on food very quickly they don't understand that having myself on all this medication gives me a huge apetite and to burn it off I have to goto the gym adding more additional costs I normally wouldn't need... The stress builds up too and I sometimes go spend it on spas which are great but in Mexico it would be simple.. work a little under a good atmosphere earn a little money spend a little money save up all I can for medication and have fun with friends. Does that not make sense?

do you need your doctors approval to go to Mexico? If its more compatible with your needs you should try to go there.
That's like my Dad always telling me that i have to go to university. But I hate studying, I hate stress, I hate work and I want a simple job with enough money to get by. ahh well.

Murderface wrote:do you need your doctors approval to go to Mexico? If its more compatible with your needs you should try to go there.
That's like my Dad always telling me that i have to go to university. But I hate studying, I hate stress, I hate work and I want a simple job with enough money to get by. ahh well.

I'm going, I already got my ticket, not all the details are complete but I have enough money to last me a month easy and working i could last longer/keep money.