Chapter
The Evolutionary Roots of Mental Illness
52:01 - 1:03:07 (11:06)
Host Dr. David Puder and guest Dr. Randolph Nesse discuss the evolutionary roots of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and how modern society's mismatch with our ancestral environment can exacerbate these issues.
Clips
Kindness has been an adaptation in human evolution that makes people attracted to each other as friends and potential mates.
52:01 - 54:42 (02:41)
Summary
Kindness has been an adaptation in human evolution that makes people attracted to each other as friends and potential mates. It can also lead to reciprocal altruism and beneficial relationships.
ChapterThe Evolutionary Roots of Mental Illness
Episode#439 - Glenn Geher - Positive Evolutionary Psychology
PodcastModern Wisdom
Randy Nessie, the author of Darwinian psychiatry, shared an anecdote that led him to believe that negative emotions should not be completely eradicated, unlike what is generally targeted in positive psychology.
54:42 - 56:13 (01:31)
Summary
Randy Nessie, the author of Darwinian psychiatry, shared an anecdote that led him to believe that negative emotions should not be completely eradicated, unlike what is generally targeted in positive psychology. Nessie shares that removing negative emotions may not necessarily solve underlying problems.
ChapterThe Evolutionary Roots of Mental Illness
Episode#439 - Glenn Geher - Positive Evolutionary Psychology
PodcastModern Wisdom
The negative affective states such as anxiety and depression may have a very important evolutionary function and getting rid of them may not be the best solution.
56:13 - 58:18 (02:04)
Summary
The negative affective states such as anxiety and depression may have a very important evolutionary function and getting rid of them may not be the best solution. Instead of just seeing anxiety and depression as bad experiences, it is important to understand their important function.
ChapterThe Evolutionary Roots of Mental Illness
Episode#439 - Glenn Geher - Positive Evolutionary Psychology
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker argues that mental illnesses such as depression and severe anxiety are relatively rare in pre-westernized societies.
58:18 - 1:03:07 (04:49)
Summary
The speaker argues that mental illnesses such as depression and severe anxiety are relatively rare in pre-westernized societies. Social isolation and obsessive thinking are some of the common symptoms seen in such cases.