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by sascha_sl 2062 days ago
This is a fun way to avoid the actual thing we should talk about: We have systemic issues in our society that make people sick. Treating impacted mental health exclusively as a cause in and of itself - a personal issue - is a serious oversight, especially when we know those that have to fear for their survival living paycheck to paycheck are at much, much greater risk.

I'm sure you can think of different social developments that relate to this too if you're a hardline "you are responsible for your own situation" capitalist without much thought given to individual privilege. There's plenty of others. Let's take social media incentivizing only sharing positive things, leading to bias when comparing your situation to others, for instance.

The current system is a band aid on top of structural issues, nothing else. No amount of CBT and SSRIs can fix these.
2 comments
forgotmypw17 2062 days ago
this, a hundred times.

the labels are a form of victim-blaming.

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adamsea 2061 days ago
Agreed, but both can be true to varying degrees at the same time.

Bipolar disorder, clinical depression / major depressive issues, etc.

Plus, since each "band aid" in this case is a human life - a person who may then be able to go on to help others and reform the system, I'm definitely a fan of pursuing both avenues at the same time.

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sascha_sl 2061 days ago
Of course mood affecting disorders exist on their own, it is just that they are heavily exacerbated in those susceptible to them if they have to constantly stress about their existence. By band-aid I meant more that they are a detraction from the root cause. As I said before, our forms of treatment can not cure these conditions as long as the root cause is not tackled.
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adamsea 2061 days ago
Mostly agreed. However with, bipolar disorder for example, I'm not sure that the problems with our society are the root cause ... though I suppose perhaps increased pollutants might cause more issues with children/birth.

But still, my point is I don't believe 100% of mental health issues have the dysfunctions in our society as their root cause.

Which isn't to say that some do and that it's not a big deal - it is.

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