If there were no downsides to resolving a persistent issue, then why has it lasted so long??
If I understand correctly, your claim is that when we see long-standing issues like depression, chronic neck pain, or patterns of emotional avoidance persisting for years, it’s more likely than not to be some sort of adaptive coping strategy—essentially a way the mind or body protects itself from harm–otherwise the issue would have been resolved.
Why do you think this is more likely than a mundane explanations such as “bad luck in the genetic lottery, no obvious levers to pull”?
I think you’re correct in pointing towards the existence of basically-all-downside genetic conditions, but I still think these are in the minority. Moreover, even most of those don’t create a big issue on the object level— compared to how people might feel about the issue as a result.
This argument doesn’t extend to conditions like Huntington’s, but if a person is missing a pinky finger, most of the issues the person is going to face are related to social factors and their own emotions, not the physical aspect.
If I understand correctly, your claim is that when we see long-standing issues like depression, chronic neck pain, or patterns of emotional avoidance persisting for years, it’s more likely than not to be some sort of adaptive coping strategy—essentially a way the mind or body protects itself from harm–otherwise the issue would have been resolved.
Why do you think this is more likely than a mundane explanations such as “bad luck in the genetic lottery, no obvious levers to pull”?
Great question, thanks!
I think you’re correct in pointing towards the existence of basically-all-downside genetic conditions, but I still think these are in the minority. Moreover, even most of those don’t create a big issue on the object level— compared to how people might feel about the issue as a result.
This argument doesn’t extend to conditions like Huntington’s, but if a person is missing a pinky finger, most of the issues the person is going to face are related to social factors and their own emotions, not the physical aspect.
I also just say this from experience helping others.