Mental illnesses are rooted in unconscious complexes and meaning states, rather than brain abnormalities or genetics.
Psychosis and spiritual crises share similarities, but the key is the ability to transition from being in process to processing.
Supportive relationships and communities are crucial in treating mental illness and facilitating individuals' healing journeys.
Deep dives
The Role of Unconscious Complexes in Mental Illnesses
According to Dr. Tim Reed, mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not deeply rooted in the brain, but rather in unconscious complexes and meaning states. These illnesses arise from the activation of psychological complexes, which are rooted in the deepest recesses of our unconscious mind. These complexes hold our pre-verbal experiences, including birth and pre-birth experiences, merging the personal and collective unconscious. While these meaning states are shared by all individuals, some people get stuck in the process, where the archetypal meaning dominates their mind. This process can lead to confusion and debilitation. However, there is a growing shift in understanding and treatment practices to support those stuck in process.
The Relationship Between Psychosis and Spiritual Crisis
Psychosis and spiritual crises, or archetypal crises, share many similarities. Both can involve intense emotional experiences, confusion, disintegration, depressive and manic states. The distinction lies in the ability to move from being in process to processing. Spiritual crises often arise from deep spiritual practices or experiences, while psychosis can occur without a spiritual context. The key is how individuals can navigate and integrate these intense experiences. Successful integration often involves curiosity, compassion, and self-awareness. However, if processing does not occur, individuals may become stuck in a particular mental state, which gives rise to psychiatric labels.
Challenging the Biological Model of Mental Illness
The traditional biological model of psychiatry, which attributes mental illnesses to brain abnormalities or genetic factors, is fundamentally flawed. Research shows that psychiatric disorders are more likely rooted in unresolved psychological issues and complex meaning states. While there may be predispositions and physiological aspects, the emphasis should be on understanding and working with the underlying psychological factors. Approaches that focus on building supportive relationships, exploring meaning, and engaging with the deep psyche have shown promising results in treating mental illness and supporting individuals in their healing journeys.
The Importance of Supportive Relationships and the Shift in Psychiatry
Supportive relationships play a crucial role in navigating mental health crises and facilitating processing. The current psychiatric system often falls short in providing the necessary support and understanding. However, there is a growing movement within psychiatry that acknowledges the significance of the therapeutic relationship, fueled by the renaissance of psychedelic-assisted therapies. These approaches prioritize empathy, curiosity, and compassion in therapeutic encounters, helping individuals move from process to processing. Building relationships and communities that foster emotional articulation, connection, and support are key to better supporting individuals in crisis.
Importance of Love and Compassion in Working with Expanded States
The speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching work with expanded states, such as psychedelic experiences, with love and compassion. Love is seen as the key ingredient in any work with expanded states, and it is essential to maintain a supportive and caring relationship with individuals going through spiritual emergencies or archetypal crises. The speaker suggests that having love in one's heart and cultivating self-love are crucial for facilitating healing and growth. This approach allows for deeper processing and the exploration of transformative experiences, leading to greater creativity, richness, and love in one's life.
Safety and Medication in Supporting Individuals in Crisis
The speaker addresses the practical considerations in supporting individuals experiencing spiritual emergencies or archetypal crises. Safety is paramount, and if someone is in a state where they cannot process and things are spiraling out of control, psychiatric help and appropriate medication may be necessary, especially if sleep, concentration, and basic self-care are impaired. While acknowledging that long-term medication is less helpful, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding the right medication for immediate support and stability. The integration of love and common sense is highlighted, facilitating a compassionate and practical approach in providing care and assisting individuals in bridging the gap between expanded states and everyday reality.
Dr. Tim Read is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author based in London.
He joins us on the show to discuss the deep unconscious, complexes, being triggered, and why we need a new way to treat mental illness. We talk about the difference between spiritual crisis and psychosis; how modern psychiatry is broken; and why psychiatrists should undergo psychedelic therapy.
Additionally, we explore the difference between being in process and processing; how our triggers are an opportunity to step into our healing journey; the role of relationships in our healing; how to help shift culture and community to better support people in crisis; how to support people in psychotic delusion (without colluding in their delusions); and the point at which we should involve psychiatric intervention.
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For links to Jordan's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind172
