Positive Disintegration

Only mildly acquainted with the Theory of Positive Disintegration by Kazmierez Dabrowski, I anticipate becoming good friends with this perception of the role of anxiety, depression, and profound introspection. In a nutshell, Dabrowski contents that an individual immersed in what is usually perceived as a negative cycle of destructive thinking is merely trying to adjust to the world and figure out his place in order to attain a higher level or morality. It's positive psychological evolution; and as a society, we ought to be helping individuals use these tendencies to grow as opposed to suppressing them, which brings to mind a few associations that may or may not be feasible:

1. What are the benefits and pitfalls of psychiatric medication? While it undoubtedly makes an individual feel better and help him control moodiness, does it interfere with empowering him with the ability to become self-aware in a his development? I reckon that one consideration would depend on the conditions surrounding the depression and whether or not they are externally within the control of the patient. Another consideration would depend on whether or not the individual is at risk to harming himself. A third would be whether or not there is another clearly diagnosed psychological disorder. Nevertheless, my point is that in a society where pharmacuitical companies make big bucks when doctors write prescriptions even for mild depression, I wonder if we are doing more harm than good to our culture by allowing a little pill to solve problems. There is clearly more to this notion worth exploring than the time I am going to take to reflect this morning.

2. Given that the notion that there is advancement of development (potential enlightenment?) in going through the process of depression and anxiety, how might that look as a form of therapy? How could guided practice in working through the stages benefit the individual? What are the tests and guidelines and how are they differentiated? (Must study and reflect on existing therapies. What is the role of group therapy versus individual?)

3. At what point is the public educated to accept rather than reject the notion of auto-therapy, developing a means to self manage internal conflict and positively adjusting to life changes?

4. Can I fully appreciate Dabrowski's ideas without knowing Polish?

5. While there is much talk about understanding and working with overexcitibilies in the gifted education community, to what degree do these behaviors exist in individuals who are not metacognitive about their giftedness?

6. I need to better know and understand the stages and major points.

7. Though not definitive in content, more resources on this are here and here.