Summary of the Core Content
The anxiety and depression experienced by modern people are not merely a result of a "poor mindset" or a "medical condition in the brain." Instead, they are "epidemics of the times" shaped by social systems, the workings of capitalism, and medical perspectives. Rationalism demands that people function efficiently like machines, labeling negative emotions as "mental illnesses"; medicine reduces complex emotions to physiological indicators (such as a lack of dopamine); capitalism creates high-pressure environments (e.g., 996 work hours, fear of unemployment) while profiting from the sale of medications and treatments; and social transformations have left people without the support of traditional communities, turning them into lonely "nuts." Solving these issues cannot rely solely on taking medication or trying to "think positively." Society must provide welfare and community support, while individuals need to accept their imperfections and return to a more authentic way of living.
The Three Steps That Turn Emotions into "Illnesses": From Normal Reactions to Medical Labels
Why is it that being slightly unhappy nowadays often labeled as having a "mental problem"? This didn't happen suddenly:
1. Rationalism forces you to be emotionally stable: In the past, people with unusual behaviors might have been seen as having artistic inspiration, but now society only values efficiency—you are expected to work tirelessly without showing any emotions. Once you feel tired or sad, you are considered abnormal and excluded from the mainstream (for example, being fired from a job).
2. **Medicine simplifies emotions into "malfunctions of parts": Doctors no longer ask why you are upset (such as due to unemployment or family conflicts); they focus only on chemical imbalances in the brain (e.g., a lack of dopamine) and prescribe medication as a solution. It's like treating a broken phone by just replacing the battery, without considering whether it was dropped or got water inside.
3. Biotechnology makes you question yourself: People now believe that emotional problems are the brain's fault, so they start to monitor their own "indicators"—if you can't sleep well, you think it might be due to low serotonin levels; if you're under stress, you assume you need more dopamine. This ignores the real issues, such as a harsh boss or an overwhelming mortgage.
The Capitalist "Business of Anxiety": Creating Pain While Selling Remedies
Why are there more and more people experiencing anxiety? Capitalism plays a role in exacerbating this:
- Step 1: Creating anxiety: Employers implement 996 work hours and performance evaluations, making people fear unemployment and poverty; social media shows perfect lives, making them feel inadequate.
- Step 2: Shifting the blame onto individuals: When you collapse, it's not because the company is too harsh, but because you have a "low psychological resilience" or a "medical condition."
- Step 3: Selling remedies to make money: Pharmaceutical companies sell antidepressants, and counseling services offer courses, turning your suffering into their profit. For example, if you develop depression from working overtime, the company doesn't take responsibility, but the doctor prescribes medication, and the pharmaceutical company makes a profit, yet you still have to go back to working—this creates a vicious cycle.
Why "Thinking Positively" and Taking Medication Don't Solve Your unhappiness?
Many people think that being more positive or taking medication will solve their problems, but in reality:
- Medication is just a temporary fix: It can alleviate symptoms temporarily but doesn't address the root causes—you still have to deal with issues like paying your mortgage or being scolded by your boss; once you stop taking the medicine, anxiety returns.
- "Thinking positively" is ineffective: Anxiety isn't about a lack of willpower; it's due to unresolved real problems. For instance, if you're unemployed, thinking positively won't help if you don't have a job; if you're lonely, having someone to talk to would be much better than just trying to be positive.
- Medical labels add to the burden: Being diagnosed with depression can make you feel like a "patient," leading to lower self-esteem and further entanglement in a negative cycle.
Rebuilding a Spiritual Home: Society Must Provide Support, and Individuals Must Take Charge
To truly be happy, we need to address both social and personal aspects:
Social Level:
- Government support: Include mental health services in healthcare to make them accessible to everyone; establish community centers where people can get help with finding jobs or just having someone to talk to when they're feeling down.
- Break down barriers of class: Mental health services should no longer be exclusive to the wealthy; free counseling in communities is necessary.
Personal Level:
- Accept imperfections: Allow yourself to feel sad and vulnerable; don't immediately label yourself as "sick" when you're upset. For example, if you didn't complete your work today, don't berate yourself for being a "failure"; instead, say, "I'm tired today, I'll try again tomorrow."
- Return to a real life: Stop focusing on the perfect lives shown on social media and appreciate the small joys in everyday life—like the morning sun, a friend's hug, or a meal you prepared yourself.
- Do what you love: Live according to your passions, whether it's painting or gardening, without worrying about whether others think it's profitable.
In conclusion, happiness is not a luxury or something you can only achieve after being "cured of a disease." It lies in the real life you live and in your acceptance of yourself.