Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action? - PaleoHacks.com

Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T00:28:58Z

Our society as it now is unprecedented in human history. Never have there been SO MUCH information/stimuli to process, never have been so many people surrounding us (not so bad in urban areas, but pretty bad in cities and developed areas). Never have we been able to control our illnesses and outbreaks and plagues which would otherwise decimate our species until very recently.

All of these stressors ARE having an effect on us as a species (mentally and physically, as we use technology to replace memorization, physical strength, and mitigate our environment with air conditioning, lol), and I wonder if we're not currently seeing a humanity that is in the stages of adapting to this environment, instead of having to 'de-stress' by sleeping in pitch black rooms and doing meditation to still the mind.

Has there been any research done on this subject?

Answer by PlantGirl for Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T01:09:47Z

I believe there has, but you mention several subjects at one time. One is the state of the human psyche in it's current state. The other is the changes that have occurred to thousands of psyches over time. Personally, I'd rather live now than any other time in agricultural past because we have so much stress or opportunity.

I don't think I would've encountered less overall stress in any point in (at least Western) history.

As for present human experience, I wouldn't be able to guess what anyone else's experience is but my own. Aside from the fact that technology and community can, if used ethically, be used to create positive environments with enough for it's participants to grow and help allow people to understand the experiences of others.

Answer by NoBadWaves for Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T11:03:11Z

I see mental/anxiety disorders and depression numbers on the rise as being, at least partially, caused by diet (read: too little fats, bad omega ratios, too little trace minerals, AND too many chemicals, preservatives, and processed non-food.)

My only source for reference would be The Happiness Diet book... which is an interesting read. There are many sources in the back of their book for further reference and sourcing their information.

Answer by HuntingBears for Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T11:24:18Z

How can you not be depressed in this messed up world?

Answer by zoomia for Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T17:19:21Z

I think there's this enormous pressure in the western world to be HAPPY all the time--and the message is that if you're not happy all the time, then obviously something must be wrong with you. Perhaps if we accepted the fact that life isn't all rainbows and roses all the time, we'd be a lot better able to deal.

I'm not saying that depression isn't a real condition, just that I think it's overdiagnosed. And one of the things about the incorporation of eastern philosophies into western mindsets is that it leads to extended naval gazing and wallowing. After all, one of the best ways, IMO, to ensure that you're NOT happy is to question whether you are. In other words, a lot of people just need to get over it, get outside, get a hobby, and buck up. FWIW, I include myself in that.

Answer by Colin for Is the rise in mental/anxiety disorders really evolution in action?

2012-07-28T17:34:06Z

Not evolution just lack of nutrients. A lot of mental illness is caused by a micronutrient deficiency. A lack of zinc can cause an elevated copper level in the brain tissue and that alone can cause all kinds of issues. Calcium inhibits the sympathetic nervous system, helps muscles relax, slows nerve transmission and the heart rate. If you look at the work of Abraham Hoffer, Julia Ross and other orthomolecular practitioners you'll see they've had great success treating patients with nutrients. I should say there is still a lot of people who think that this stuff isn't credible. If you think about it though when we don't eat food we wither and die so it makes perfect sense to me that the food we eat makes up our bodies and especially our brains. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fHhBpuHSNc&feature=related. I don't think mental illness is any kind of evolutionary advantage but I could be wrong.