In the last article we talked about a new type of psychotherapy, based on the hypothesis about humanization and brain functioning presented in "Civilization". I recall that the applications of this hypothesis, extended lately, it would have philosophical implications and could contribute to the development of public policies.
In short, it is about the applications at the psychological level of a hypothesis related to the occurrence of mental illnesses in humans, but also of the emergence of consciousness. According to it, any mental illness, ranging from autism to dementia (Alzheimer) it is caused by an energy deficit that affects the synthesis of specific proteins, partially different at different ages. Humanization is mainly expression in greater quantity (or smaller) of genes, especially in certain tissues. An important metabolic pathway in humanization would be that of insulin/IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), which alters the cell proliferation/differentiation ratio. There are many data showing the involvement of this pathway in mental illnesses, of autism, schizophrenia, affective disorders to dementia. We do not go into detail with the fact that these diseases should be treated differently, not by symptoms, but through the biochemical changes they produce. Their taxonomy is outdated and biologically inconsistent, it comes from an era when nothing was known about biochemistry. Diseases occur when this pathway is disrupted, be favored by genes, either by environmental factors or both. The relationship between stress and the onset of mental illnesses is well known. Also, occupational therapy has some positive effects. Psychotherapy should aim to restore the functioning of this pathway (and not only) through behavior and attitude. It should not influence what the patient wants, way of thinking, its values, ideals, but eventually they should be evaluated from the point of view of energy consumption. This psychotherapy is based on a kind of behavioral and psychic energy management. The goal would be the adaptation that goes as close to happiness as possible, not of giving up. Happiness would actually be a condensed source of reward, which can release the reward for a long time. The directions this treatment would go would be:
– identifying the patient's most important wishes and ideals;
– assessment of his/her situation, of problems, sources of stress, either external, be data of behaviors, harmful ideas that do not produce rewards;
– helping the patient channel his/her efforts towards achieving maximum "happiness".;
This takes place through:
– removing as much as possible external sources of stress, but also of behaviors, mentality, generating ideas of mental energy consumption (and biochemical);
- coordination of efforts in the sense of achieving desires with a high chance of providing happiness;
-the development of consciousness that ensures better mental stability and coordination of efforts;
– ensuring continuous rewards.
This type of psychotherapy it would go on supporting mental functions, taking into account their biochemical support.
