Dr. Eric Maisel discussed the profound and often contentious issues surrounding mental health, religion, psychiatry, and the nature of human consciousness. Dr. Maisel, a prolific author and critical thinker, shares his insights on the pathologization of everyday struggles, the impact of psychiatric diagnoses, and the importance of reclaiming personal meaning and resilience. Dr. Eric Maisel is a psychotherapist, coach, teacher and author of more than 50 books that include “ Rethinking Depression: How to shed mental health labels and create personal meaning” published in 2012 , “The Future of Mental Health: Deconstructing the Mental Disorder Paradigm in 2015 and his most recent book “Redesign Your Mind” published in 2021. His contributions are diverse and vast. A lifelong atheist, Maisel described in his 2009 book The Atheist's Way: Living Well Without Gods how individuals can negotiate the paradigm shift from seeking meaning (in religion, spiritual pursuits, or anywhere else) to making meaning. Eric expresses his reservations about fully embracing higher states of consciousness and discusses the complexities of love and its potential dangers. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the history and criticisms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the medicalization of mental health. In this conversation, Dr. Roger McFillin and Dr. Eric Maisel discuss the current state of the mental health system and its impact on individuals and society. They explore the role of psychiatry in controlling and labeling individuals, the importance of embracing darkness and suffering as part of the human experience, and the need for individual and collective resistance against harmful systems. 

00:00 Introduction: The Medicalization of Human Experience

04:06 Guest Introduction: Dr. Eric Maisel's Background and Interests

09:21 Early Experiences and Observations

12:18 Personal Story: Dr. Maisel's Father

14:48 Exploring the Notion of God and Meaning

17:53 Observing Human Behavior and Values

20:10 The Significance of Synchronicities

26:23The Concept of the Soul and Unexplainable Phenomena

31:07 Determining What is Right and Wrong

34:34 Reflections on Meditation and Seeking Explanations

37:00 Exploring Higher States of Consciousness and Love

44:28 Critiques of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

56:07 The Medicalization of Mental Health

01:04:35 The Role of Psychiatry in Social Control

01:08:18 Resistance Against Harmful Systems

01:18:47 The Future of Mental Health: Individual Efforts and Peaceful Activism

*If you are in crisis or believe you have an emergency, please contact your doctor or dial 911. If you are contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a trained and skilled counselor.

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