It has been some time since I have visited the site, and a lot has transpired since I last peeked in. I have made some significant changes in my life - most notably a career change into the mental health arena of nursing/healthcare. While this is not an area that I would have considered in the past, I have been told by many co-workers that I would be a good fit for such work. So far I feel good about my choice/change. It has been a positive change in many respects.
Aside from all that... I have been pondering many things in regards to mental health. And a couple of things that have crossed my mind are:
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We as human beings are all addicts in some form or another. Whether addiction being substance (alcohol, drugs, food, etc), physical (sex, exercise, sports, etc), what have you...
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We all have mental health issues of some sort.
The only difference between the ones who are committed/institutionalized, the ones getting treatment, and the ones allowed to roam free/independent are how we are able to deal with things/life. Some of us are fortunate enough to have the skills need to deal. While others, for some reason or another, do not have those coping skills.
Just some food for thought.
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Welcome back! Hope your new job is going well and is something you like. As far as your insights, while I will agree we all have issues that we are dealing with, I would disagree about us all being addicts. That is too much 'Christian' thinking IMO, in that we are all horrid, fallen, deviants that need to be reigned in and taught a lesson. Addiction is "strongly inclined or compelled to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly" per [merriam-webster.com]. While we can easily become addicted to many things, not just drugs (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, internet), I think assuming EVERYONE is addicted to SOMETHING is incorrect. I also believe western culture promotes a more addictive lifestyle, in that we are accustomed to comfort and easy fixes for problems/desires. Maybe from a USA perspective, 99.999% are addicts, but that is not 100%. My 2 cents on that.
I will agree we all have mental health issues once we reach a cognitive threshold of understanding ourself, others, and the world. I would argue that a newborn does not have mental health issues, but any thinking, reasoning child or adult has probably experienced fear, pain, or depression. In that sense they are not "mentally whole" and at least have scars on their mental health.
jondspen
Level 7
Sep 5, 2018
1
As humans we innately seek pleasure - whether that by by physical means, emotional means or substance. Some of us are able to navigate such urges and not give in to such while others can not get enough. The fact remains that we still crave whatever it is whether or not we give into such, so one could argue that we are all addicts in some way, shape or form. Some people are simply stronger than others when it comes to certain addictions or pleasures.
@NaturalBornCynic Agreed, but simply seeking pleasure is not addiction. While there is some interpretation on where the line in the sand is drawn...there is a line.
@jondspen I guess my focus was more on the idea that some of us are able to cope with urges better (or worse) than others are. Some idiosyncrasies that people have might be considered addictive behaviour. Just because something isn't considered unhealthy does not mean it is not an addiction.
Congratulations on your change of career. I was 40 years a psych nurse before retirement, am writing a book to capture anecdotes, stories and events I’ve experienced at the end of the asylum era in U.K. mental health services.
Rob
Nuffrope
Level 2
Sep 5, 2018
1
I know that a lot has changed. I feel that we still have a long way to go.
True every one has got one thing they nurse in their minds and hopefully mental health care workers like you would do enough to help the society at large
BettyNeal
Level 2
Sep 5, 2018
1
I'm only one human, but I hope that I am able to be a positive example to others, and in turn make the world a better place.
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