Different contemporary conceptions of mental health

Are contextual rather than personal factors at the basis of an anti-school culture? A Bayesian analysis of differences in intelligence, overexcitability, and learning patterns between (former) lower and higher-track students

“…Further, former GSE and TSE students did not differ substantively in the degree and nature of overexcitability, which constitutes an essential element of an individual's potential to arrive at high levels of personality development, according to the TPD. Overexcitability increases the possibility of inner mental transformation, which paves the way for achieving higher levels of human functioning, as characterized by autonomy, authenticity, and empathy, and consequently, according to Dabrowski, mental health (Dabrowski, 2015;Dabrowski and Joshi, 1972).…”

“…As such, overexcitability enhances the possibility of inner mental transformation. Moreover, it is a necessary element of an individual's psychic enrichment (Dabrowski, 1970a(Dabrowski, , 2015Dabrowski and Joshi, 1972). The TPD distinguishes five forms of overexcitability.…”

Understanding Mental Health Through the Theory of Positive Disintegration: A Visual Aid

“…The theory of positive disintegration (TPD) is a complex theory of personality development elaborated by K. Dabrowski (1902–1980). The characteristics of this theory is that some signs of mental illness (e.g., neurosis, anxiety) along what is often considered a person's flaws (e.g., nervousness, maladjustment) are seen as positive signs that a person is developing their personality toward their “personality ideal” (i.e., the best, most altruistic, and worthy version of themselves) (Dabrowski, 1964; Dabrowski and Joshi, 1972). The implications of the TPD are that symptoms of poor mental health may not always be negative, but part of a necessary process which lets individuals who successfully navigate those difficult inner-states grow to be the best version of themselves.…”

“…The TPD is generally poorly known among psychologists, psychiatrists, and (mental) health practitioners and as it is rarely part of formal vocational or university training. Yet the TPD offers a novel view of mental health (Dabrowski and Joshi, 1972) that may have its place in helping patients work through their mental health-related challenges and will help therapists understand their patients. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that mental health practitioners find the TPD invaluable when counseling children and adults who show signs of what is commonly viewed as poor mental health (e.g., anxiety, neurosis, etc.)…”