[billieJ]

I registered on this forum for many reasons. For One, I am a devout follower/participant in Neurotalk. However, I just read a tag article in the Psychcentral Newsletter and wanted to add my Uneducated two-bits! The article asks whether Evolution Favors [results in an increase in] Schizophrenia. The answer, per article, appears to be that it does, and there is some speculation as to causative factors. In my long-ago studies of Abnormal Psychology, I learned of the gating theory of psychosis/schizophrenia, reflecting a "breakdown" of perceptual filtering. Whether this filtering is of external or internal "events" is quite up for debate. However, the resulting "expansion of consciousness" so to speak, might be quite functional to future or evolving mankind if it could be isolated or harnessed. Naturally the disorganization seen in schizophrenia would probably not be functional and would have to be "evolved out" through more specialized treatment, advanced insight, etc. Sign Me, Just-A-Thought ~ billieJ

Originally Posted by billieJ

I registered on this forum for many reasons. For One, I am a devout follower/participant in Neurotalk. However, I just read a tag article in the Psychcentral Newsletter and wanted to add my Uneducated two-bits! The article asks whether Evolution Favors [results in an increase in] Schizophrenia. The answer, per article, appears to be that it does, and there is some speculation as to causative factors. In my long-ago studies of Abnormal Psychology, I learned of the gating theory of psychosis/schizophrenia, reflecting a "breakdown" of perceptual filtering. Whether this filtering is of external or internal "events" is quite up for debate. However, the resulting "expansion of consciousness" so to speak, might be quite functional to future or evolving mankind if it could be isolated or harnessed. Naturally the disorganization seen in schizophrenia would probably not be functional and would have to be "evolved out" through more specialized treatment, advanced insight, etc. Sign Me, Just-A-Thought ~ billieJ

WOW - That's a Mouthful

[Michah]

Hi BillieJ,

I do not have schizophrenia........but found your post uncanny.....

It was only a little while ago that I was reflecting on the role of evolution in mental illness.......I may be booed off the stage for this, but I instinstively lean towards the increase in mental health issues as directly correlating with societies lack of compass.......that issues with mental health, make us more altruistic, more insightful regarding the human condition, and more simplistic with our efforts(though not more grand!) That the "one day at a time" ethos is something EVERYONE should practice.......being more in the moment, if you like......and we shall pass that ethos onto our children, and then they will pass it to their children and so on.......changing our evolution and basic concept of humanity.....with the few select others of course, who do not want change

In other words the sensitivity and striving to understand ourselves to cope with the devestation of mental illness, will be society's salvation......that mindfulness and acceptance will not just be confined to the DBT therapists office........that all people will practice it........

And this is where I get REALLY controversial........I want to change "illness" to "acuity"........for although there is much feeling of sickness in our quest, I think that is more society's reflection of "functionality" that causes us to feel this way.

I have a "mental acuity"........hhhhhmmmm

Sorry, bit off track.......your thread resonated with me.......thanks for sharing......

Michah

If I may add my opinion.

Chemical imbalance, I believe is passed heredity. It was strong in my family and was never tended to; back then it was not treated. People were just thrown into mental hospitals.

With the chemical imbalance and possible other drugs/alcohol it aided in the behavior stimulating abusive behavior.

Now we are not only passing down the chemical, un-treated, with abuse.

The next generation remains the same and the next...

Now to My generation -(4 of us - sisters)
1) chose no children, yet she was multiply personal (Therapy/Medication)
2) chose denial and alcohol abuse, passing the emtional, etc behavior with the chemical, denial, passed now to her generation of family: all forms NO ASSISTANCE
3) sister went into a heavily life of denial and obsessive chritainity behavior, But with the all the intention of NOT passing it on(Therapy/Medication)
4) Myself - Wanting not to pass it along, yet without proper child rearing some was passed - the chemical imbalance of ALL children passed on. Three have atteneded therapy and have medication.
Children denial of medication yet know they have something chemically wrong.(Therapy/Medication)

So the generation is not yet broken....

Evolution = unless cured chemical passes to children. I believe if chemical medication is being taken durning pregancy - Maybe it might not pass on.

If family without abuse yet have chemical have a greater chance of succeeding in life with family, etc support.
Medication and therapy could aid the next generation to be healthier.
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This is a brief idea of evolution for chemical, abuse, support, medication to be healed or not as generation pass.