Here's one of many conversations I've had with fellow physicians. It's time to go beyond the insufficient dichotomy of "mental health" and "mental illness."
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Anonymous physician:
I read the article you posted on depression and state of consciousness. I think that is really important work... It explains [my experience] perfectly and I very much agree with the point of the article...
Dr. Anoop Kumar:
I think the experiences that I have had over the years could have been seen as... depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, ADHD, and so many other labels. I never saw these as any of them because what they felt like to me were really important stages of consciousness that are so deeply meaningful.
Anonymous physician:
Yes, it likely attempts to explain something that we can't explain and it may be why we so poorly treat mental health since we don't understand consciousness... There is no doubt I was in a different state of consciousness, where it felt like I lost myself. I was explaining it like I became a ghost, or a shell of myself. It was like I was disconnected to the world, whereas when I am in state of peace and joy, I feel connected...
Dr. Anoop Kumar:
Our society bastardizes really important states of consciousness, difficult as they may be, and makes them into something that they are not, stunting development.
Anonymous physician:
Yes, I totally agree, and I have been studying consciousness for many years in the hopes, and understanding that our entire purpose is to elevate our consciousness... But another thing I have found is that you can't even have a conversation like this with most people... there is something profound when Jesus was on the cross and he was disconnected from God and he said why have you forsaken me and it was the worst torture for him and I think in some ways when we become disconnected, it is a state of depression that we don't understand, and we feel completely hopeless and lost.
Dr. Anoop Kumar:
So beautiful. So true. So deep. So healing to recognize.
Anonymous physician:
You are the only person I have ever talked to in this way, or shared any of my thoughts along these lines, so thank you for being my friend.
Dr. Anoop Kumar:
I'm happy and honored to be your friend. Thank you for your friendship.
Anonymous physician:
The root of a therapist is "a friend along the way".
Dr. Anoop Kumar:
100%. The major reason I am where I am today is because of the people I was around when I was young, and the monk I was around when going through a difficult transformation. Those things told me it was one of the most important experiences of my life. That narrative, and being w somebody who has been through it, is critical. We have a narrative that herds people towards pathologizing...
Anonymous physician:
You nailed it. Everything has a reason and we are meant to grow and develop. What irony that we think our waking consciousness is what is normal and healthy and anything else is an illness.
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