[misterdonut]

Testing... let's see if I'm allowed to post a link now.

Pretty interesting article about evolutionary origins of mental disorders and a theory that it may have been helpful in our pre-urban eras of history. I think it's helpful to understand that it may have had a viable purpose, that we're not necessarily "broken".

Susceptibility to Mental Illness May Have Helped Humans Adapt over the Millennia - Scientific American

I have not read the article yet (attention span issues) but I'll come back to it. What a fantastic concept that I have considered myself. Thanks for sharing.

[Ford Puma]

I have read the article and think its a very interesting idea that Randolph Nesse has decided to write about in his book.
Some will like it, some will not.
The evolution process and genes are a complex study.
I may, in fact, buy the book myself to see exactly what he has to offer in his thoughts.

[NightRain2019]

Seems like it might make sense. Some of the symptoms present in those abused in childhood started as coping mechanisms that helped us survive. Haven’t read the article yet. Guess I should...

Interesting! I will read this later.

[sarahsweets]

WOW! What an interesting article!

Originally Posted by misterdonut

Testing... let's see if I'm allowed to post a link now.

Pretty interesting article about evolutionary origins of mental disorders and a theory that it may have been helpful in our pre-urban eras of history. I think it's helpful to understand that it may have had a viable purpose, that we're not necessarily "broken".

Susceptibility to Mental Illness May Have Helped Humans Adapt over the Millennia - Scientific American

[romantic rose]

I've read it and I do think that having a mental illness has made me more open minded and less judgemental, which from a societal survival perspective can only be a good thing. Closed minds lead to judgement, division and ultimately conflict. I think sometimes mental illness to lead to mental toughness, and the ability to overcome what others might find difficult.. once you have survived severe mi other things seem easy to deal with. Mind you I can't say I am mentally tougher, I know others that are though.

[WishfulThinker66]

I have yet to read the article but I still have some automatic thoughts on the subject.

Evolution is about the survival of the fittest. There must then be some reason for why mental illness has not been eradicated as we have evolved. One thing that comes to mind is hyper vigilance which is quite common with mental illness. Hyper vigilance would have been an advantage to earlier man in his dangerous environment. Similarly creative thinking which is also common to the mentally ill. The ability to think creatively and problem solve would have also been advantageous. And intelligence comes to mind. Some of our most intelligent minds have been mentally ill minds. Intelligence would most definitely be an evolutionary advantage.