A Myth in Creation

My 3-part articles series for Psychiatric Times  in which I explore the question: what conceptual means are available to us to prevent behavioral conditions from being diagnosed as mental disorders as a result of social bias and stigma? Social Misuse of Disorder Designation, Part I: Conceptual Defenses Social Misuse of Disorder Designation, Part II: The Dysfunction Defense Social Misuse of Disorder Designation, Part III: Harm and Ethical Validity

The Virtuous Psychiatrist: Meditations on Success and Flourishing Awais Aftab, MD When it comes to happiness, success and moral well-being, I have been deeply influenced by the Greek philosophers, particularly Aristotle. Aristotle speaks of eudaimonia ("flourishing") – a sort of moralized happiness, distinct from mere pleasure – and virtue is excellence in his eyes ( arete : virtue/excellence), signifying qualities necessary for living well. To borrow words from Emrys Westacott, in so far as we fail to cultivate and exercise virtues – wisdom, curiosity, intellect, aesthetic sensitivity, compassion, empathy, generosity – we fail to exemplify human flourishing [1]. One is not likely to flourish as a psychiatrist if one cannot flourish as a human. Professional success alone is no measure of eudaimonia, and one must be wary of paths to professional success that are littered with oppressive loneliness, alienation, apprehension, and self-indulgent greed. Flourishing ...