Can you fix your own mind?

What if you notice that your HEART is not healthy?

Well, in all likelihood, you go see a doctor quickly. They are the specialists in this area. Your heart belongs to you, yet it is obvious to you that you are not automatically an expert in its functioning (unless you ARE an expert..but even those see doctors).

What if you notice that your MIND is not healthy?

Interestingly, it is much less likely that we seek help as quickly. It feels different. Our conscious mind also belongs to us. And we tend to intuitively believe that we know how our mind works. We think we understand how we make decisions, for example.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

To start with, we are all riddled with biases, i.e. mental shortcuts that heavily influence our decision-making, hundreds of times a day. In my view, rational decision-making is largely a myth. Emotions influence everything. We rationalise way more than we are rational. However, while tricky, this is still ‘healthy’ and expected functioning.

At a deeper level, actual mental health conditions can create a dangerous fog over our own self-awareness. Do I actually realise when I am impaired? One of the easiest examples is alcohol. While ‘under the influence’, most people believe that they are still able to act rationally. However, they are influenced by chemically induced reduction of inhibition. People objectively use the rational brain centres less when intoxicated. Yet, it’s not as obvious to see for yourself.

Why am I sharing this?

I believe it’s a dangerous bias and lack of humility to think you are in full control and have full visibility of your own mind.

At work, this thinking can at the very least lead to poor, unchecked decisions, because we may believe we are not someone who is affected by biases (“I would never hire someone just because they are similar to me!”)

On personal level, this can lead to seeking help too late or never, when serious mental health issues arise (“I struggle with mental health lately, but I know why and I can fix it myself”).

Summary

While we do ‘own’ our mind, it’s healthy not to assume we automatically understand how it works and know how to fix a mental health issue. Our mind plays tricks on us and its complex workings are most inaccessible to us.

At work, this plays a big role in hiring, for example. Ensuring that applicants are objectively evaluated is a science, and for a reason! Bias busting is a big topic in organisations.

At human level, it may be hard to accept, but we are likely no more an expert over our mind than we are over our physical heart. We just know the basics, how to train it, keep it generally healthy.

I personally compare it this way: Our conscious mind is like a person who lives in a rather complex house. Yes, we know how to keep it tidy and in order to a good degree. But we likely do not know its inner workings (plumbing, electricity etc). If something seriously breaks, we get help. We should apply the same thinking much more to our mental health.