Posted by tensor on January 19, 2013, at 14:45:49
In reply to Re: Is there a limit? *trigger*, posted by In_denial on January 19, 2013, at 13:39:28
> Hang in there tensor,
Thanks.
> I tend to feel a certain amount of envy toward people that seem happy and well adjusted. I know it's wrong, but I can't help this feeling. I'm constantly wondering why I was dealt a sh*tty hand in life. Then I look at the suffering going on throughout the world and feel that my problems pale in comparison.I know what you mean, it seems so simple for healthy people.
> I've often wondered what evolutionary purpose depression, anxiety and all the other mental illnesses served prehistoric man. Was it to cull out the weaker humans? I doubt it. I think it's a modern phenomenon to our current environment. I don't think our prehistoric brains evolved to be confined to a cubicle, following a boring routine of working to old age, retiring and ultimate death. Our brains still think we are hunter gathers. Seems like people that live closer to nature and have simpler lives are happier in general. Since that's not in the cards for me, I'm stuck with pharmaceuticals.
I'm not sure. I wonder if the prevalence of, say, schizophrenia has changed over the millennia. Psychiatric disorders that are biological have probably always been around. But sufferers of depression and anxiety caused by our lifestyle are probably much higher now than a thousand years ago.
To be honest, being a hunter gatherer would bore me to death. But that's because I know how comfortable life can be. One could argue that with all the entertainment around people would be happier today. People who live in tribes in the djungle also use drugs to intoxicate themselves./tensor
poster:tensor
thread:1035749
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130112/msgs/1035822.html