The medicalization of life: An interdisciplinary approach
Journal
Heliyon
ISSN
2405-8440
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Type
text::journal::journal article
Abstract
In recent years, consumption of antidepressant and psychotropic drugs has skyrocketed and, although contemporary life clearly involves countless conflicts, the same can be said of human beings throughout their respective historical moments. Part of the human condition is recognizing that we are vulnerable and dependent beings, thus philosophical reflection brings us to an important ontological point of consideration. The World Health Organization has expressed its regarding the medicalization of life, as have many renowned psychiatrists who subscribe to the philosophical idea of naturally overcoming life's conflicts through resilience. In this paper, we analyze the anthropological view of the human being as a being in need, the problem of the medicalization of emotional life in contemporary society, and the psychological position of resilience. We conclude that psychology and philosophy hold similar personal development tools for people without significant psychiatric or psychological problems in order to face the problems of human existence with self-government. © 2023