Damiaan Denys on 'the new sickness' | Anders Denys Podcast #13
Damiaan Denys on 'the new sickness' | Anders Denys Podcast #13
We are more prosperous and mentally ill than ever. We are happier, but suffering more than ever. How can that be? In our latest Anders Denken Podcast, philosopher and psychiatrist Damiaan Denys answers.
'We are more concerned than ever with our mental well-being. We think we should feel good, whereas being sad or anxious is an essential part of life. The idea is not to put that away or compensate for it. The idea is to experience those emotions and give meaning to that leading.'
According to Denys, because we don't know how to suffer properly, we like to stick the label 'illness' on it. 'In a society where you are not allowed to suffer, the predicate 'being sick' still legitimizes that suffering. If I go to my boss and tell him I feel intensely sad, I am not allowed to stay home for a week. But do I go to the family doctor and tell him I am not eating and sleeping well? Then he puts the label "depression" on that and I am allowed to stay home for three months. In other words, in our society illness is used to justify suffering that should no longer be suffered.'
Curious about Denys' insights and advice?
Listen to a new episode of the Anders Denken Podcast every last Thursday of the month. This podcast stimulates, informs and inspires in the field of Sustainable Employability.
Listen to a new episode of the Anders Denken Podcast every last Thursday of the month. This podcast stimulates, informs and inspires in the field of Sustainable Employability.
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