Videotherapy - Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things

Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things is on Netflix streaming and might be helpful for people considering existential concerns about the meaning of life and how to create a life that makes one happy. 

The thesis of the movie is that the pursuit and acquisition of material things while promoted by advertising and marketing in our society doesn't work. The slogan at the end of the movie is "Love people, use things, not the other way around."

The Dali Lama said that the purpose of life is happiness. This statement begs the further question of "What will make me happy?" This question is the basis of all psychotherapy even if it is not addressed explicitly in the therapy.

The movie got poor reviews on IMDB because of it superficiality which I think are justified, but for the less aware this movie can be eye and mind opening.

You can get more information from IMDB by clicking here.

The relevance to hoarding and compulsive shopping etc is apparent, but its relevance to all of us in our consumer society and growing ennui is germane.

New York State 37th in opiod-involved overdose deaths in 2015

Increases in drug and opiod involved overdose deaths 2010 - 2015 by state

Source: Centers for disease control and prevention. For more click here.

Considering a career in Psychiatric Social Work?

Compulsive digital behavior can be maladaptive and can be unlearned.

The average person checks their phone 200 times a day. It borders on addiction for some, but according to cyberpsychologist Mary Aiken there are easy ways to unlearn this compulsion. Aiken's book is "The Cyber Effect: A Pioneering Cyberpsychologist Explains How Human Behavior Changes Online"

 

The last letter

From the New York Times on 09/07/16:

Over the last 15 years, as a geriatrics and palliative care doctor, I have had candid conversations with countless patients near the end of their lives. The most common emotion they express is regret: regret that they never took the time to mend broken friendships and relationships; regret that they never told their friends and family how much they care; regret that they are going to be remembered by their children as hypercritical mothers or exacting, authoritarian fathers.

And that’s why I came up with a project to encourage people to write a last letter to their loved ones. It can be done when someone is ill, but it’s really worth doing when one is still healthy, before it’s too late.

 


For more click here.

Mental health becomes a straw man and red herring for U.S. discussions of gun control policy.

Where to turn for help with substance abuse problem