Question:
The confusion inherent in the dualism of psychology is easily demonstrated
by the ambiguity of some of its commonly used phrases, to which most of us,
ashamedly, defer:
1. 'Mental health'. - The meaning of this term bounces unpredictably between
the idea of an individual healthily integrated into his society and the
curious idea of an individual healthy in mind. But in neither case is
'health' a determining factor.
2. 'Stress'. - Like the term 'shock', is hopelessly vague, and can refer to
external circumstances, or refer to so called 'internal' circumstances, or
to combinations of both. Causal chaos ensues - stress causes anxiety, and
anxiety causes stress. In neither case is any new information conveyed, even
though we like to claim that there is.
3. 'Panic attack'. - Here we have the odd case of feeling comfortable and
being 'attacked' by a panic that comes, not from ourselves as we used to
say, but from elsewhere. Here, the seperation of mind and body reaches
ridiculous heights with the idea that that there is an 'I' which can disown,
and is distinct from, and which experiences, emotions.
Answer:
If 'mental health', 'stress', and 'panic attack' were coherent phrases,
which they are not, then I could tell you what they meant. As they are not
coherent or consistent, I cannot see what it is that you want me to consider
as 'meaning' something. Are you asking me what do letters mean?
An enquiry into the proposed concept of mental health reveals a phrase that
is not a concept, but a mapping together of disparate ideas. As the phrase
is commonly used.
Stress is tension or pain in the body caused by certain types of
thoughts or stimuli. People get ulcers, upset stomachs, muscle
tension..other physical effects. Panic attacks are caused by a
stimulus in the environment causing a nervous reaction in the body.
The person then becomes aware of their sweating, shaking, faster heart
rate etc. and starts to worry about it worsening and usually about how
they will appear to others at the moment. They then exaggerate the
situation and keep worrying more and more until they freak out. For
example if you are extremely afraid of looking nervous in public and
suddenly become nervous in public this fear can feed on itself.
