Even though life was harder in the past, but it seems that mental illness was not an issue to most families that requires authorities attention. Why mental illness is so prevalent these days? Has it existed all the times, or the way of life we live today is not compatible with our nature? Which is better for people's mental health: individualism or a strong sense of community? Was religion the psychologist/psychiatrist of the past to treat evilness/mental illness; that is, misunderstanding the human nature which was better for us?

Any thoughts?

[Onward2wards]

What I think is best for people's mental health is individualism WITH a strong sense of community. I've always believed our needs and traits have to be in balance, and that this balance is going to look a little different from one person to the next.

Mental illness seems to be front and center in people's minds due to modern media. There's just more information out there, more readily available 24/7. I don't know if mental illness is more or less prevalent than it was earlier in human history.

[*Laurie*]

I believe that mental illness what just as prevalent in history as it is today. The difference was in how it was handled. Two things come to my mind: denial ('so-and-so's mom is always sick, she just lies in bed all the time'...the man who comes home from work every evening and has three cocktails 'to relax') and that nearly every family had at least one member who was quietly 'put away' (institutionalized). In my own family, on my father's side my great-aunt spent 30+ years as an inpatient. The family didn't talk about it and only occasionally, quietly went to visit her. On my mother's side a cousin was institutionalized for two years after her baby died from a childhood illness. The poor women had a 'nervous breakdown' (what we would now call a psychotic break) and was 'sent away'.

Just look at all the 'asylums' that existed, and were full of patients. Mental illness was so feared, so taboo, people just didn't talk openly about it.

[Thunder Bow]

The way of life of today time (Modern Life) is not compatible with our nature. A strong sense of individualism is part of who we are. A connection to community always went along with it.

We are an hunting gathering species. Modern way is a mutant variant of that. "Koyaanisqatsi" is the Hopi word for Life Out Of Balance. View the 1980 Movie of the same name. It really shows why there is so much Mental Illness in todays time.

Koyaanisqatsi on YouTube about 90min long.

I tend to agree with Thunder Bow. We are hunters-gatherers species. We used stress only in dangerous situations to deal with it occasionally (like when a tiger attacks) not on daily basis as today. We made huge effort to hunt once a while not on daily basis as today.

I think mental illness has become in effect during the agricultural revolution, when human settled in large communities, and have to work hard every day. I think, it is not a coincidence that organized religions appeared in this period, and the Church has confession because of misinterpretation of the human nature, which I view it as a kind of therapy. For example, there is something called the "the spirit of sorrow" which may be depression, and the Church has a prayer and a ritual for it.

[Thunder Bow]

"Religion" is about people, social order and control. In modern time we are subservient to a ruling class. In other words, we have to work for a living. In the past, a ruling family was always associated with a religion of some kind. Think of Kings and Queens of all Nations of our recent past.

I agree, but it was used as a "spiritual hospital", too. Don't forget religions are as old as the the human species. It got more organized only with the agricultural revolution. Also, the optimism that created by religions in the form of gods watching over us, and life after death or something like that, was not a small step in dealing with the sense of meaning and purpose, which helped in the continuation of human species during hard times. Now we have other means and we control our lives better than our ancestors, and thus religions are less relevant.

I think that mental illness has always existed to some degree but I'm not sure that it is more common in today's society or not simply because human population is many times bigger than it was in ancient times which means there is a higher probability for more people to have a type of illness and also because there was less technology and less knowledge about the human mind 100+ years ago which means that many cases of mental illness likely went undetected and undocumented.

I think that the primary difference between ancient times and modern times is how mental illness was dealt with. In ancient times, people with mental illnesses involving delusions were typically regarded as Shamans or spiritual leaders who were valued members of society because of their seemingly prophetic ability to communicate with the gods of ancient times whereas somebody with a mood or personality disorder was typically outcast or treated like a monster for their illnesses due to lack of knowledge about the inner workings of the human brain and mental illness in general.

Furthermore, I think individualism is important first and foremost because without the individual, the group cannot exist and if the individual is hurting or isn't happy, those he or she relies on hurt too. Community is important but is secondary and complimentary to the individual I think.

Finally, I think a big issue with society is the need for all but the most driven and ambitious or lucky individuals to need to work long boring menial jobs to survive. I think humans are more than a hunter-gather species by nature, but a species evolved to think, innovate, and follow their passions.

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

I think that mental illness has always existed to some degree but I'm not sure that it is more common in today's society or not simply because human population is many times bigger than it was in ancient times which means there is a higher probability for more people to have a type of illness and also because there was less technology and less knowledge about the human mind 100+ years ago which means that many cases of mental illness likely went undetected and undocumented.

I think that the primary difference between ancient times and modern times is how mental illness was dealt with. In ancient times, people with mental illnesses involving delusions were typically regarded as Shamans or spiritual leaders who were valued members of society because of their seemingly prophetic ability to communicate with the gods of ancient times whereas somebody with a mood or personality disorder was typically outcast or treated like a monster for their illnesses due to lack of knowledge about the inner workings of the human brain and mental illness in general.

Furthermore, I think individualism is important first and foremost because without the individual, the group cannot exist and if the individual is hurting or isn't happy, those he or she relies on hurt too. Community is important but is secondary and complimentary to the individual I think.

Finally, I think a big issue with society is the need for all but the most driven and ambitious or lucky individuals to need to work long boring menial jobs to survive. I think humans are more than a hunter-gather species by nature, but a species evolved to think, innovate, and follow their passions.

I think we need to be precise about what we mean by "ancient", because modern humans have been around for about 70 000 years. Prophets and organized religions appeared just 5000 years ago at the time of agricultural revolution.

I suspect individualism was superior to community in early humans, because without strong communities it would be impossible for any single one to survive. Individualism appeared only as life has gotten easier, where individuals can live without relying directly on the community.

We have evolved to survive best in our environments. Thinking and innovation were important to survive, not to build skyscraper and understand quantum physics. That is why we have hard times in learning in schools, because the human logical mind (I think it is called the frontal cortex) isn't wired to work all the time. All of these civilizations and innovations are by-product of the capacity of humans that has evolved for other environments and needs. That is why I think humans are not well adapted to the relatively modern way of life.

Originally Posted by SDavid

I think we need to be precise about what we mean by "ancient", because modern humans have been around for about 70 000 years. Prophets and organized religions appeared just 5000 years ago at the time of agricultural revolution.

I suspect individualism was superior to community in early humans, because without strong communities it would be impossible for any single one to survive. Individualism appeared only as life has gotten easier, where individuals can live without relying directly on the community.

We have evolved to survive best in our environments. Thinking and innovation were important to survive, not to build skyscraper and understand quantum physics. That is why we have hard times in learning in schools, because the human logical mind (I think it is called the frontal cortex) isn't wired to work all the time. All of these civilizations and innovations are by-product of the capacity of humans that has evolved for other environments and needs. That is why I think humans are not well adapted to the relatively modern way of life.

Sorry, I was lazy with my post. When I said ancient humans I meant Victorian days and earlier. From those days on to earlier parts of civilization, religion played a big part of society. It can be argued that every god/goddess or mythical creature ever conceived was thought up by some kind of delusional prophet that was well regarded by the society of their time. Even in prehistoric days before the agricultural revolution it wasn't uncommon for people to pray to gods or other creatures thinking that they could control the weather or bring them safety.

I couldn't agree more with your post and with how self aware that I am, I noticed that the more time that I devote to work or study, the more I under preform and the less I get out of my time. If I'm studying or doing a job that takes some knowledge and skill such as writing a web page, I can do a similar amount of work and bring a similar amount of quality or retain a similar amount of information hyperfocusing on the job at hand for 10-20 hours a week as I could working or studying 60 hours a week feeling forced to do the task.

The logical mind with time transfers the repeated habits to the lower layers of the brain to avoid the need of the conscious mind which is very costly. That is why things get easier with time. But before things get easier they are very hard, and most people just don't do it.

I've come to the ultimate conclusion that the best things to happen to humanity will be both when robots take over all of the manual labor jobs leaving all of the scientific, technical, and administrative tasks for those who want them and have the knowledge and means to do them and when more governments offer a basic income like a few countries already do where all citizens are paid a basic income when they're unemployed that is enough to let them live comfortably.

Originally Posted by DarknessIsMyFriend

I've come to the ultimate conclusion that the best things to happen to humanity will be both when robots take over all of the manual labor jobs leaving all of the scientific, technical, and administrative tasks for those who want them and have the knowledge and means to do them and when more governments offer a basic income like a few countries already do where all citizens are paid a basic income when they're unemployed that is enough to let them live comfortably.

Actually, in 200-300 years we will live without working, banks or money and everything will be in abundance because of the technology such as robots and other means as Michio Kaku is predicting. Unfortunately, we won't be able to witness that era.

[Thunder Bow]

We need to work. Our minds are structured for "work". No, technology will not save the day for us. That is the Flintstone - Jetson myth. Most Tribal societies did not have organised religions. They were more "spiritual".

Money drives modern technology and makes it possible. Money is human behaviour. Thus, money can become worthless over night. When that happens, our technology will fail, for it takes money to maintain it and build it. Right now money is very unstable.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

We need to work. Our minds are structured for "work". No, technology will not save the day for us. That is the Flintstone - Jetson myth. Most Tribal societies did not have organised religions. They were more "spiritual".

Money drives modern technology and makes it possible. Money is human behaviour. Thus, money can become worthless over night. When that happens, our technology will fail, for it takes money to maintain it and build it. Right now money is very unstable.

But once everything is abundant and produced with near-zero production cost, why not to have such reality? In fact, when we have abundance of resources, we can achieve equality and eliminate poverty, since everyone has access to the same resources, and thus we can achieve world peace. I am sure we will find away to keep our mind working but not in an exhausting way.

[Thunder Bow]

Originally Posted by SDavid

But once everything is abundant and produced with near-zero production cost, why not to have such reality? In fact, when we have abundance of resources, we can achieve equality and eliminate poverty, since everyone has access to the same resources, and thus we can achieve world peace. I am sure we will find away to keep our mind working but not in an exhausting way.

That is another myth. We have Limited Resources. The Earth finite. It is a small dot compared to the disc of the sun. We live on very small planet that has limited resources. Thus every thing will not become abundant. Our Earth can not support our world population as it is. We are hurting our Earth as it is, already.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

That is another myth. We have Limited Resources. The Earth finite. It is a small dot compared to the disc of the sun. We live on very small planet that has limited resources. Thus every thing will not become abundant. Our Earth can not support our world population as it is. We are hurting our Earth as it is, already.

I respectfully disagree. It is not a myth. We don't have limited resources, we just need more innovations and brains to work in science to tap the resources. I recommend you this book for Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler: Abundance: The Future is Better than you Think. Shifting the energy to green energy would reverse the effect on Earth. Solar energy is abundant and clean, but we need to know how to use it efficiently. The same for water, three fourth of Earth is water. Space is full of resources as well. The only limited resources are in our brains.

[Thunder Bow]

That is the Jetson Myth. Science and technology has its limitations. We have to live with the Earth and adapt to its limitations. We can not rule the Earth with technology. That is a cultural based myth. We have to care for the Earth by limiting human population to a level the can be sustained by available resources. The resources in Space are unobtainable. That is because the laws of physics make it so.

To have an abundant future we must adapt to our environment and honor it. Trying to control it with technology is totally impossible. We must use technology to help us adapt to the Earth, not to exploit it. Thinking that we can jump into the stars after we used up the Earth, is totally crazy.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

That is the Jetson Myth. Science and technology has its limitations. We have to live with the Earth and adapt to its limitations. We can not rule the Earth with technology. That is a cultural based myth. We have to care for the Earth by limiting human population to a level the can be sustained by available resources. The resources in Space are unobtainable. That is because the laws of physics make it so.

To have an abundant future we must adapt to our environment and honor it. Trying to control it with technology is totally impossible. We must use technology to help us adapt to the Earth, not to exploit it. Thinking that we can jump into the stars after we used up the Earth, is totally crazy.

I didn't say to exploit and hope the best, but to tap on new resources. The population problem isn't a new one. 30 years ago they were saying the Earth cannot hold all the people at the time, but somehow we managed, and even we have gotten better lives than then. The population is predicted to stabilize at 11 billions at the end of this century, and scientist say we can survive.

What is the limitation of science? Once I was watching a science documentary and one scientist said about an attempt by other scientists that it won't lead us anywhere, but then he withdrew and said I would say it is unlikely but may be possible. Science keeps an open mind to the possibilities because new technologies and knowledge open new possibilities unthinkable before.

Why then NASA and scientists exploring the idea of space travel if the laws of physics don't allow it? We are trying to know more so we can exploit this knowledge to our own benefits. I think space travel is taken seriously because we are under the mercy of something unpredictable to happen and wipe out life.

[Thunder Bow]

First, understand Science and Technology is Not Magic. It has limitations. 11 billion is way to many people for a land of abundance, that you speak of. Survive? at what price? Our technology is still primitive and frail.

We can orbit a tin can around the Earth, Take a few steps on the moon, and operate a toy RC Model Car on Mars. But that is a far cry from mass exploitation of resources in Space. The cost and the amount of energy to do it, would be prohibitive. Look at how much our current space program is suffering due to budget costs.

The Human Mind has limitations, just as any animal has. It is not Magic. Technology we have is very frail. Subject to natural and human forces. When our world dies, we will die with it. It is just that simple.

[SunshineWave]

My mother was 36 years old before she was finally diagnosed as Manic Depressant/Bipolar/Schizophrenic. So for 36 years, she self medicated with alcohol & drugs. She was shunned by family as being the 'black sheep' her parents were absolutely incoherent that anything could be wrong with her besides 'bad choices'. They were confused and angry with her behavior and dealt with it completely wrong, which only added to her problems. I was fortunate that they loved me and took good care of me, but they did use me as a pawn against her, to hurt her and to punish her for her behavior. by the time she was officially diagnosed, the damage she had done to her mind and body with the drugs and alcohol was irreversible. And even then, no one in the family had any coping skills. So they all retreated into their own little worlds of denial, and she never did receive the love or support that she had wanted or needed her entire life. I tried. But even I did not have the ability to 'make things right'. Then when she was 54yrs old she committed Suicide. Her manner of exit, summed up the chaos and bitter pain that she had lived through, and left the echo's of the tortured life that she lead. In the 1960's, when her symptoms really started to surface, there was very little education available and even less Medical help and support. I do not think that Mental Illness is on the rise, no I think that we are much more aware and much more empathetic to our fellow humans. I really wish though, that someone could have been there for my mother when she needed them. My life would have been so much different, as would have been my siblings and my childs.

Originally Posted by SunshineWave

My mother was 36 years old before she was finally diagnosed as Manic Depressant/Bipolar/Schizophrenic. So for 36 years, she self medicated with alcohol & drugs. She was shunned by family as being the 'black sheep' her parents were absolutely incoherent that anything could be wrong with her besides 'bad choices'. They were confused and angry with her behavior and dealt with it completely wrong, which only added to her problems. I was fortunate that they loved me and took good care of me, but they did use me as a pawn against her, to hurt her and to punish her for her behavior. by the time she was officially diagnosed, the damage she had done to her mind and body with the drugs and alcohol was irreversible. And even then, no one in the family had any coping skills. So they all retreated into their own little worlds of denial, and she never did receive the love or support that she had wanted or needed her entire life. I tried. But even I did not have the ability to 'make things right'. Then when she was 54yrs old she committed Suicide. Her manner of exit, summed up the chaos and bitter pain that she had lived through, and left the echo's of the tortured life that she lead. In the 1960's, when her symptoms really started to surface, there was very little education available and even less Medical help and support. I do not think that Mental Illness is on the rise, no I think that we are much more aware and much more empathetic to our fellow humans. I really wish though, that someone could have been there for my mother when she needed them. My life would have been so much different, as would have been my siblings and my childs.

I am sorry to hear your mother's story. It is really sad. May be mental illness is not new, but I think it is more pervasive now (we need some formal statistics which I lack at the moment), and now might as well include the last century in the developed countries. But I agree people are more aware and understanding of it these days than in the 50s and 60s of the last century.

Originally Posted by Thunder Bow

First, understand Science and Technology is Not Magic. It has limitations. 11 billion is way to many people for a land of abundance, that you speak of. Survive? at what price? Our technology is still primitive and frail.

We can orbit a tin can around the Earth, Take a few steps on the moon, and operate a toy RC Model Car on Mars. But that is a far cry from mass exploitation of resources in Space. The cost and the amount of energy to do it, would be prohibitive. Look at how much our current space program is suffering due to budget costs.

The Human Mind has limitations, just as any animal has. It is not Magic. Technology we have is very frail. Subject to natural and human forces. When our world dies, we will die with it. It is just that simple.

The survival of 11 billions means in the context of my post to live decently. I mentioned the problem of population 30 years ago, and we managed to feed them all and most of them got even better lives.

It took just 8 years to put a man on the moon since the decision was made by Pr. Kennedy. I agree NASA and other space exploration missions have budget cuts due to lack of interest in the political sphere, but this will slow things down, not stop them, and we are capable of great things.

We have limitation in brains in the sense that we need to get more people to be interested in science, because the more brains we get the more innovations and technologies we get and the better lives we will have.

Probably you are right that we are bound to Earth, and what ever happens to it will affect us, but even though keeping an optimistic view of the future may not allow us in reality to be a galactic civilization, at least we would have tried our best to save our species.

[Hellion]

Well I don't know the answers to all that stuff....however studies would imply a strong sense of community is more likely to have positive results. Since then everyone around you isn't seen as competition to be beaten. Of course individuality is good, but not to the point it negates a sense of community.

[avlady]

i think there are the same amount of mentallly ill people as in previous years, there is just more knowledge about it and how they are treated is differrent.