Posted by SLS on July 6, 2005, at 7:21:12
In reply to What Is Normal?, posted by Phillipa on July 4, 2005, at 23:22:40
> Okay, I don't feel like I have all the anxiety anymore, and I don't know if I'm depressed or just scared to give up the crutch that medications have provided for so long. We all use the word normal. But what is normal? Is there such a thing. Thanks Phillipa
There is such a thing - don't fool yourself. However, it is more of a statistic than it is a destination. I think the definition of normalcy depends upon which item, axis or spectrum you are judging. We can get very caught up in semantics and philosophy, but there are states of health and states of illness; the recognition of which helps to bring the individual closer to health and further from illness. The definition of what is pathology does depend upon those who are responsible for making such judgments, however, very few people would reject the judgment that Huntington's Chorea represents a pathology. It is unfortunate that there are still those who reject the notion that schizophrenia represents a pathology. Schizophrenia is not the statistical norm for the human species. Neither is the talent responsible for painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but I believe you were talking about mental health?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:523581
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050702/msgs/524183.html