Mental health services around the world are largely based on the assumption that being upset or disoriented is a sort of condition like medical illnesses. Here in Australasia, we imported this perspective from overseas, actively suppressing more holistic Maori and Aboriginal understandings about human distress. We did so despite numerous studies that show that recovery rates from “mental illness” in “underdeveloped” countries are far superior to those in “advanced” societies.
Nowadays, more and more problems are being redefined as “disorders” or “illnesses,” supposedly caused by genetic predispositions and biochemical imbalances. Life events are relegated to mere triggers of an underlying biological time bomb.
Thus, feeling very sad has become “depressive disorder.” Worrying too much is “anxiety disorder.” Being painfully shy has become “avoidant personality disorder.” Beating up people is “intermittent explosive disorder.” Excessive gambling, drinking, drug use, or eating are also illnesses. The same applies to having too little food, sleep, or sex. Our Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has 886 pages of such illnesses. Unusual or undesirable behaviors are called “symptoms” and the labels are “diagnoses.”
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With elevated global inflation likely to persist for some time, the prospect of competitive exchange-rate appreciations is looming larger. Instead of a race to the bottom in the currency market, there may be a scramble to the top – and poorer countries will likely suffer the most.
warns that a series of competitive exchange-rate appreciations would hurt poorer economies the most.
Neither the invasion of Ukraine nor the deepening cold war between the West and China came out of the blue. The world has been increasingly engaged over the past half-decade, or longer, in a struggle between two diametrically opposed systems of governance: open society and closed society.
frames the war in Ukraine as the latest battle for open-society ideals – one that implicates China as well.
Shlomo Ben-Ami
highlights the lessons countries like China and Iran are drawing from Vladimir Putin’s aggression, offers advice to Ukrainian peace negotiators, and considers the wisdom of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.
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Mental health services around the world are largely based on the assumption that being upset or disoriented is a sort of condition like medical illnesses. Here in Australasia, we imported this perspective from overseas, actively suppressing more holistic Maori and Aboriginal understandings about human distress. We did so despite numerous studies that show that recovery rates from “mental illness” in “underdeveloped” countries are far superior to those in “advanced” societies.
Nowadays, more and more problems are being redefined as “disorders” or “illnesses,” supposedly caused by genetic predispositions and biochemical imbalances. Life events are relegated to mere triggers of an underlying biological time bomb.
Thus, feeling very sad has become “depressive disorder.” Worrying too much is “anxiety disorder.” Being painfully shy has become “avoidant personality disorder.” Beating up people is “intermittent explosive disorder.” Excessive gambling, drinking, drug use, or eating are also illnesses. The same applies to having too little food, sleep, or sex. Our Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has 886 pages of such illnesses. Unusual or undesirable behaviors are called “symptoms” and the labels are “diagnoses.”
To continue reading, register now.
As a registered user, you can enjoy more PS content every month – for free.
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