While a focus on the exterior may very well contribute to the high rate of mental health problems in the community, I’ve always thought it had more to do with selection effects.
A large portion of the thought in the community revolves around how to think, which is something most people never study (and likely never feel the need to). But those who are thinking badly—that is, those who realize that they have patterns of thought that don’t correlate well with reality—have a reason to seek out a better way of thinking.
There’s also some evidence to suggest that higher intelligence by itself correlates with mental illness:
The community resources of how to think are right hand side resources. They don’t often go into left hand or upper left quadrant “how to think” other than focussing. Maybe double Crux hits on it a little bit.
Yes depression is usually commented as being pessimistic realism. I. E. Truthfully pessimistic. Optimism is usually off the mark for truth and reality.
Useful things on my research here include the separation of past, present and future thinking thought stream. And choosing how I relate to each of the p/P/f. Mindfulness schools encourage attention to and living in the present moment. Good instruction includes the clarity of “thoughts about the future”, “thoughts about the past”, and emotions about each of those—are PART of the present moment and can be treated as such. But are otherwise not part of the present reality moment and can be sent on their way.
While a focus on the exterior may very well contribute to the high rate of mental health problems in the community, I’ve always thought it had more to do with selection effects.
A large portion of the thought in the community revolves around how to think, which is something most people never study (and likely never feel the need to). But those who are thinking badly—that is, those who realize that they have patterns of thought that don’t correlate well with reality—have a reason to seek out a better way of thinking.
There’s also some evidence to suggest that higher intelligence by itself correlates with mental illness:
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/intelligence-mental-illness-iq-study-findings-depression-a8005801.html%3famp
Other than that, great post and thank you for assembling that list of resources.
The community resources of how to think are right hand side resources. They don’t often go into left hand or upper left quadrant “how to think” other than focussing. Maybe double Crux hits on it a little bit.
Yes depression is usually commented as being pessimistic realism. I. E. Truthfully pessimistic. Optimism is usually off the mark for truth and reality.
Useful things on my research here include the separation of past, present and future thinking thought stream. And choosing how I relate to each of the p/P/f. Mindfulness schools encourage attention to and living in the present moment. Good instruction includes the clarity of “thoughts about the future”, “thoughts about the past”, and emotions about each of those—are PART of the present moment and can be treated as such. But are otherwise not part of the present reality moment and can be sent on their way.