PSYCHIATRIC VIEWS ON THE DAILY NEWS
In my January 11th column on My Word of the Year for 2021 is Instability. Whats Yours?, our readers provided many word answers to my question, for which we are very grateful. I was especially curious to see how these words might compare to those you sent in for the first year of our pandemic, March 2020 to March 2021. The results of that first pandemic year were presented in a word cloud and discussed in a posting on March 28, 2021, titled The Pandemic Project: Our Readers Describe the Year of COVID-19. In both polls, responses came from a mixture of psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, the public, and patients. Some responders contributed to both polls, some only in 1 or the other.
One of the goals of both polls is that, psychologically speaking, when we name something, it usually provides some comfort in describing what we are dealing with, especially if it is unusual, stressful, or confusing. Of course, some of our reactions also reflect our personal histories and current social circumstances.
The First Pandemic Year Poll
In the first pandemic year poll, I chose the word BEWARE because I was thinking of March 15th being the Ides of March, the day when Julius Caesar was assassinated after ignoring the warning of a seer. My other choice was EGAD because its definition combined anger, affirmation, and the surprise of the period.
In the rest of our over 50 collected responses, 1 word stood out for being chosen 5 times: INTROSPECTION. That was followed by ENLIGHTENMENT, picked 3 times. Both of those words seemed to reflect the essence of psychiatry. Two words seemed striking by their omission: LOVE and ZOOM.
The 2021 Year Poll
What a difference almost a year makes! The only word that appeared in both polls is WHIPLASH. This time there was nary a word about introspection or enlightenment. Maybe enough thinking about this is enough. Rather, the words covered run the gamut of perspectives and emotions, suggesting that each of us was having a very unique reaction to the year. Although some of the words suggested that it was overall a positive year, the acronym FUBAR conveyed a more negative trend in the extreme: Fd Up Beyond All Recognition. LOVE and ZOOM were missing once again.
The Commentaries
Some readers provided detailed explanations for the word they chose without any suggestion to do so, and gave us permission to name them and publish their commentary. Here they are.
ACCEPTANCE: Michael Mantell explained his choice, which seems to sort of be a transitional word from last year to this one.
Great article. As for my word for 2021 (2022) . . . if you want to test positive for peace and negative for disturbability this year, I suggest my micro-compass, well anchored and firmly planted word, Acceptance.
Flexible, non-extreme, non-dogmatic, open-minded unconditional Acceptance will go a long way to prevent you from disturbing yourself about yourself, others, and your life.
While it may be preferable for something toor not toexist, it does not mean that it therefore must be different. The principle of emotional responsibility makes clear that life offers many opportunities for you to disturb yourself. How does doing so help you lead a more optimal life? Things may be unpleasant, and you can bear it, so what benefit comes to you from demanding, awfulizing, and convincing yourself that you cannot tolerate life, others, and yourself? Must you truly have control over life when it deviates from how you would prefer it to be? Is it honestly awful and terrible if the outcome is not what you would have wished for, or is it only too bad?
Acceptance does not mean liking, condoning, or thinking something is good. It means recognizing that it exists. Perhaps considering the good inside of what happens may make that an easier experience. I believe, firmly, that what happens is for me, not to me. It is my job to search for the good and Acceptance helps fuel that voyage.
Adjusting constructively to adversity means building discomfort tolerance, which will in turn result in 2022 being a far healthier, more emotionally peaceful, and overall, more enjoyable experience.
WOOBLY: Barry Marcus explains his choice of this unusual word for an unusual year.
In a physical sense, in terms of chronic pain, dizziness, and imbalance as well as heart and gallbladder issues. Also in terms of looking to the end of my life in a societal sense related to the alternative facts world we live in as well as the vulnerability of our democracy.
Woobly like a boxer who is reeling from a blow that almost floored him, yet through determination and resolve, is still standing.
REMINDER: Out of a thousand plus words, Randall Levin chose this one and explains why.
It was a reminder of the good that comes from the clear pathway to our inner strengths and spirit, as it was unfortunately a reminder of what has escaped from the pandoras box and what it could still contain. It was a reminder to listen to the warnings so that we are not taken by surprise. It was a reminder of how others have affected our lifes journeys when they are gone, to appreciate true connections in our social experiment.
It is a reminder of how we can all bring positive energy and love to not only others but to ourselves and our families. A reminder that a newborn grandchild (etc) may have that special piece of the spiritual puzzle that surrounds all of us (and our earth), has so much hope, love, and happiness to offer to those who themselves have a clear pathway to their own inner spiritual beauty. A reminder that their extra smile and laughter can light the way along our own journeys.
The Conclusions
What these words, collected in an accompanying word cloud, and some commentaries, mean to me is that we have to keep in mind how individual the assessment of 2021 is, just like it is crucial to consider each patient as an individual even while using generic expert guidelines to diagnose and provide treatment. The message to the public might be to understand and empathize with our individuality and give everyone some slack in this challenging time.
Radical hope looks for contributing to a better year, and though we do not know how and when that may occur, we should do what we can to move in that direction. The content of the commentaries suggest ways to do so.
Dr Mofficis an award-winning psychiatrist who has specialized in the cultural and ethical aspects of psychiatry. A prolific writer and speaker, he received the one-time designation of Hero of Public Psychiatry from the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association in 2002. He is an advocate for mental health issues relate to climate instability, burnout, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism for a better world. He serves on the Editorial Board ofPsychiatric TimesTM.
Read the original here:
Our Words of the Year 2021, and What They May Be Telling Us - Psychiatric Times
- The Lives of Others - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Aliens and Spiritual Enlightenment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dreams - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Open Your Eyes - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Enlightenment and Grizzly Bears - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- I’m Alive! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Seeing the World - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- First Taste of Spiritual Enlightenment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Pause - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Welcome - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Resurrection Needed for the Catholic Church, not Jesus. Christianity, Islam ... - American Chronicle - April 5th, 2010 [April 5th, 2010]
- The Secret of Kells - Harvard Crimson - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Taylor: The true Easter within - Lake County News - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- CHOICES! Your Go To Source for Enlightenment! / Spiritual Movie Morning - WCNC (subscription) - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Sex Swami duped firangs in the US - NDTV.com - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Girls' school defies Taliban terror - Times Online - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Shen Yun Performers Present Spiritual Connotation with Life - The Epoch Times - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Yoga Draws Criticism - TopNews United States - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Banjamin Bratt: 'I Wanted to Be Anything But an Actor' - Palm Beach Post - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- The History of Buddhism - MPBN News - April 6th, 2010 [April 6th, 2010]
- Secrets of the Catholic Church - The National Law Journal - April 9th, 2010 [April 9th, 2010]
- U-Theatre of Taiwan dance troupe's West Coast debut spotlights its virtuosity - OregonLive.com - April 9th, 2010 [April 9th, 2010]
- Religion Calendar - Montreal Gazette - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Siquijor conducts recollection for parolees - Philippine Information Agency - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Prayer for guidance - Inquirer.net - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- East Bay Buddhist temple strives to maintain relevance in new land - San Jose Mercury News - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Spiritual Journey: Stay-home mom Melody Melvin - The Huntsville Times - al.com (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- What Does The Buddha Have To Do With Jesus? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Laura Dern and William H. Macy Heading to Cable - Inside TV (blog) - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- American Guru Steven S. Sadleir brings Shaktipat to Spain and Italy - PR Web (press release) - April 11th, 2010 [April 11th, 2010]
- Who and What Is Buddha, Really? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 12th, 2010 [April 12th, 2010]
- The ACLU works to sap our spiritual strength - The Free Lance-Star - April 13th, 2010 [April 13th, 2010]
- Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled by Best-Selling ... - PR Web (press release) - April 13th, 2010 [April 13th, 2010]
- All About Kundalini Yoga - EmpowHer (blog) - April 14th, 2010 [April 14th, 2010]
- Catholic leadership's image tarnished by recurring scandal - Staunton News Leader - April 16th, 2010 [April 16th, 2010]
- Iowa Swami Who Beguiled the Jazz Age - New York Times - April 16th, 2010 [April 16th, 2010]
- More than a spiritual exercise - Nagaland Post - April 18th, 2010 [April 18th, 2010]
- Despite media smears, world and faithful have warmed to Benedict - Irish Times - April 18th, 2010 [April 18th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - I-Newswire.com (press release) - April 19th, 2010 [April 19th, 2010]
- Pakistan's pre-Islamic art goes on show in Paris - DAWN.com - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- New author shares emotional enlightenment - The Trinidad Guardian - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- The theft of yoga - Washington Post (blog) - April 20th, 2010 [April 20th, 2010]
- Enter the Realm of the Buddha - Georgetown University The Hoya - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Indian guru arrested over sex scandal: Police - Montreal Gazette - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Life Out Here: Tea Party with a twist - Imperial Valley Press (subscription) - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- April 25: A Turning Point for Today's China - The Epoch Times - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Nityananda bound devotees with non-disclosure agreements - Sify - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Buddhist Extremists in Bangladesh Beat, Take Christians Captive - Pakistan Christian TV - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Liberty and the Death of God - American Thinker - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- A Commentary on Religious Intolerance & the Dalai Lama - Subversify (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - BigNews.biz (press release) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Review: Seeking Life's Meaning - New York Times (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- An Analysis Of I Corinthians 15 - Blogger News Network (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Luxury in spiritual Ladakh, India - Times Online - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- JD Salinger: A 'Selfish Old Goat,' But Not a Perv - Politics Daily (blog) - April 24th, 2010 [April 24th, 2010]
- Sorry, your patent on yoga has run out - Washington Post (blog) - April 25th, 2010 [April 25th, 2010]
- Leggo my ego - Winnipeg Free Press - April 25th, 2010 [April 25th, 2010]
- Church Set to Regain Museum Treasures - The Moscow Times - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The multiple sides of Ricky Williams - San Diego Union Tribune - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet: Reflecting on a Half-Century of Change - Student Pulse - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The Kumbh Mela: what can it teach us about mental health, consciousness and ... - Psychology Today (blog) - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (DVD) - Film Threat - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- A Leg Up on “THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE” - FANGORIA (blog) - April 28th, 2010 [April 28th, 2010]
- The hottest docs at Hot Docs - Globe and Mail - April 29th, 2010 [April 29th, 2010]
- Florida Dems shut down state House - Politico - April 29th, 2010 [April 29th, 2010]
- Reading Energy Fields with Tanis Day - The Barrie Examiner - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Book flights to India for a luxury mountain retreat - Southall Travel - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- In death, mass murderer sees freedom - Citizens Voice - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Author Becky Walsh on enlightenment through sex - Dscriber - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- Is Western Christianity Suffering From Spiritual Amnesia? - Huffington Post (blog) - April 30th, 2010 [April 30th, 2010]
- The Road That Leads to Nowhere - The Road That Leads to You - New York News Today - May 2nd, 2010 [May 2nd, 2010]
- In Their Words: Her path to inner peace - Times Herald-Record - May 2nd, 2010 [May 2nd, 2010]
- Rielle, Oprah, and Zen America's Truth-Off - Politics Daily (blog) - May 3rd, 2010 [May 3rd, 2010]
- CathBlog - Newman's reasoned faith outshines postmodernism's dark stars - CathNews - May 13th, 2010 [May 13th, 2010]
- Light of the Sufis exhibit explores Islam's mystical side - Houston Chronicle - May 13th, 2010 [May 13th, 2010]
- The last word: In search of enlightenment, mindfulness and nirvana in Silicon ... - Financial Times - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- 'Light in the Wilderness,' by M. Catherine Thomas - Mormon Times - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive-Fascist Distinction - U.S. News & World Report (blog) - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Are You Praying to the Only True God? - WEBCommentary - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]
- Haunting 'Lourdes' Revels in the Poetry of Ambiguity - HollywoodChicago.com - May 14th, 2010 [May 14th, 2010]