Happened to read about FUQs ( Frequently unanswered questions). We mostly stress ourselves to definitive answers to questions arising in our mind, i loved this idea of living with the question, inhabiting it , going with the flow of the thoughts running in your mind and accepting it wholeheartedly. So am on this journey of finding answers to the questions like :
Who makes you ?
What matters more to an individual’s wellness (both mental and physical)- the internal factors or the external factors ?
Not expecting a definitive single categorical answer to this, not raging but simmering question in me for a long time. I don’t think i have lost direction in answering this question but i am amazed how it has spread out and broadened its sphere. It is taking me through developmental psychology, positive psychology, neurosciences, psychiatry, basic biology, literature , poetry and so am into the rabbit hole as Alice in wonderland went through. What occurs to me from reading up a little about Wellness and factors affecting it is that the current air is to promote an individualistic or internal locus of control of human behaviour as the main factor contributing to wellness of an individual. Individuals who have an external locus of control are more prone for depression and a characteristic feature of depression is learned helplessness. In depression most of the time the individual feels helpless and lost to sort themselves out and positive psychology recommends that people adopt an internal locus of control of themselves to safeguard from adverse mental health conditions. It seems to be difficult to completely side with the proponents of positive psychology. It reminds me of one of the famous quotes that ” the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. This thought is followed by some psychologists who practice gestalt therapy. But in basic biology as well, we all know that the magic of being a human is so different from the functions of individual organs and systems. The symphony that emerges from the whole is definitely a marvel when compared to the parts as they are. Similarly as individuals we have a song through wellness and internal locus of control. But would it orchestrate well enough into a beautiful symphony if we put together the songs representing the society ? At the societal level would it amount to be a symphony of beautiful notes strung together and orchestrated well ? The answer that emerges out is a categorical no from me. You may have a different view please let me know your take on this question. The wholesomeness of an individual comes not only from the internal factors but the experiential circumstances and environment through which the individual goes through. We live with nature – nature of ourselves as well as the nature around us. We discover ourselves through our relationships with others. The outside others could be an inanimate or an animate one. The coming home feeling that the furniture or pooja room in your house gives, points towards the connection that an external outfit could have on us. I think we have to realise and understand that we no longer have to put the extra thrust of wellness on individuals themselves but have to take it upon ourselves to work for a mentally well society. We are responsible for each other. This goes well with this years theme of world mental health day – Mental health is a universal human right.
Its critical that we open ourselves up and start talking about matters concerning our mental health , break the stigma around mental health issues and forge ahead leaving none behind.
Looks like i have staggered a bit in this journey of answering the questions i mentioned above. But it lingers and hope to explore it more some where else. Thanks for tuning in and happy world mental health day 💞💞 .
References
1.https://positivepsychology.com/internal-external-locus-of-control/
2. Foster – writers forum