THE MOST SCARY IN PSYCHIATRY
In this series, Psychiatry’s Scariest Thing, we ask doctors about the scariest topic in mental health. What is scary, worrying or concerning in psychiatry? This is how they responded.
As Halloween approaches, ghosts and ghouls aren’t the looming concerns for many adults; there are much scarier things on the rise that we should be aware of. It is not surprising that all living things are connected, but unfortunately some forget the symbiotic relationship between the human biological balance and its links with all the elements of nature. While our emotions have an effect on how compassionate and passionate we are about making a difference in the trajectory of nature research and conservation, the opposite is also true. The state of nature also has an impact on us.
As sentient beings, human emotions are influenced by the complexities found in our environment: what we see, feel, eat, touch, and even how we relate to each of these things in connection with other humans. Whether it’s the happy hormones of fresh, oxygen-filled air and vitamin D uptake, the aesthetic pleasure and preferences linked to cortical connections, or even the inadvertent sense of feeling peaceful and grounded when surrounded by sacred geometry and vibrational current of all living things, Studies have supported that humans feel better when nature is healthy, balanced and beautiful.1.2 The threat to biodiversity alters the fabric of this.
While the pandemic and rising social injustice have been blamed for the rise in mental health problems, many are unaware of the effect the global biological state has had on all organisms, including us. This crisis is happening right under our noses and is something we all need to pay attention to and work to resolve. As a psychotherapist and self-proclaimed tree hugger, what makes me cringe this Halloween is the fear that many of us will miss out on opportunities to save ourselves and our children from the negative ramifications of an unbalanced natural structure. This is due in part to the media’s penchant to divert our attention and focus on mock displays of importance.
For generations, our ancestors had to be attuned to changes in nature for adaptability; this has built our connection with the natural environment.3 This further explains why many of us are affected by global changes reflected in our local environments. Scientific evidence suggests that changes in nature significantly influence mental and emotional well-being in multiple ways. Available evidence indicates that climate change has a significant, multifaceted, and correlational impact on mental health and emotional well-being.3 Climate change, along with our poor sustainable practices such as deforestation, wildlife trade that does not match the biome, excessive use of chemicals, and huge carbon footprint, has perpetuated the lack of genetic diversity on our planet. . Our life support system (nature) is in a frightening state.
Whether or not we find ourselves with flowers whenever we can or prefer just a few plants in our living room, we all attribute some form of symbiotic well-being with nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “great nature in which we rest, as the earth lies in the soft arms of the atmosphere; that Unity, that Super-soul, within which the particular being of each man is contained and becomes one with all the others; that common heart.”4
Some feel an emotional response because they are considering the possible effects on life in general, however many are being affected without their knowledge just because we are connected to Mother Earth.5
This Halloween, as I hear about mercury retrograde and increased incidents of droughts, wildfires, and extreme rains, suddenly cackling creatures and haunted houses don’t seem like imminent concerns. I am haunted by the influx of people who will notice uncharacteristic and unfavorable mental and emotional changes. Your mental stability will be tested as the earth sends out its distress signals in response to changes in climate and thus biodiversity. This Halloween, instead of thinking about becoming a notable spooky icon, I hope that my great fear has a transformative effect on more of us so that we are aware of protecting ourselves from further harm and restoring nature for the sake of biodiversity. Our physical and mental health depend on it.
Dr. Malone is a licensed professional counselor with Mental health.
References
1. Cameron RWF, Brindley P, Mears M, et al. Where the monsters live! Do urban green spaces with higher avian biodiversity promote more positive emotions in humans? Urban Ecosystem. 2020;23:301-317.
2.Marselle SR. Theoretical foundations of biodiversity and mental well-being relationships. Biodiversity and Health against Climate Change. Springer Open; 2019.
3. Lawrance E, Thompson R, Fontana G, Jennings N. The impact of climate change on mental health and emotional well-being: current evidence and implications for policy and practice. Grantham Institute, Briefing Paper 36. Retrieved 26 September 2022. https://spiral.imperial.ac.uk/bitstream/10044/1/88568/9/3343%20Climate%20change%20and%20mental%20health%20BP36_v6.pdf
4. Emerson OR. The higher soul. 1841. Retrieved September 26, 2022. https://emersoncentral.com/texts/essays-first-series/the-over-soul/
5. Wang CX, Hilburn IA, Wu DA, et al. Geomagnetic field transduction as evidenced by alpha band activity in the human brain. eNeuro. 2019;6(2).
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