This post has nothing to do with Joe Rogan other than he is the inspiration behind my perspective on the blooming research on how our environment impacts our thoughts and behaviors. As a social worker, I support the effect of the environment on our thought processes; and as a behaviorist I understand the relationship between antecedents and consequences and the resulting likelihood of you repeating a behavior.
Antecedent: New episode of your favorite show
Behavior: You watch the show
Consequence: You enjoy the show (dopamine feel good chemicals release)
The addition of positive feelings or social interaction you gained from watching the show increases the likelihood of you watching the show again next week.
What’s interesting about the research on mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and attention deficit disorders is the science behind outside factors influencing the development, duration, and/or intensity of your mental health symptoms. The research strongly suggests (remember, we ‘suggest’ because science isn’t science if you outright claim the results as facts, it's called the scientific process or method) that the environment you do your daily living in can completely change your symptoms. The research goes as far as suggesting that someone with one of these disorders may not be considered a disordered person in an altered environment.
Imagine this abundance of attention in a position that required you to enter numbers into a computer all day, file papers or books, and sit in meetings. Now, imagine, working in a mechanics shop on complex machines, caring for sick humans in the ER, or serving at a popular restaurant on a Friday night. The first environment described was meticulous with a slower pace, most would say it requires an attention to detail yet so does being a mechanic or nurse. Why would someone with ADHD thrive as a nurse yet struggle as a medical secretary? Because nursing is a fast paced environment that requires attention to numerous details, some simple, others more complex. The abundance of attention in my brain thrives in environments that many describe as fast-paced and stressful. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel stress or burnout. It means that I am more successful in my position and my mental well being when I work in the right environment for my brain.
Every brain is different, yet as humans, organisms really, there are some things we all share in common thanks to biology. We all need connection, food, water, and oxygen. This is innate (born this way, baby). If you put a rat in a cage with water, food, and cocaine the rat will enjoy all three items. Yes, the rat will ingest the cocaine, and if the image of a large street rat ripping lines is what you need today then I'm not judging your imagination. Alternatively, if you find a popular rat spot and spy on them for observation after placing cocaine in their natural living environment (then please let's be friends, weirdo) , you would find that the rats are not interested in your D R U G S, Satan.
So, in freedom rats choose sobriety, and in prison they choose to get high.
They don’t need to get high in the wild, they’re rats. They don’t have to pay rent or meet baby daddies in a parking lot for pick-up so they don’t have anything they need to cope with. Put them under distress though? The rats are gonna use whatever resources available to cope, including the ones that can harm them.
I’m sure you know where I’m going with this…
Historically, I’ve done shitty things when I’ve felt under duress. I snapped at friends and loved ones because I was feeling overwhelmed with a million other thoughts. I have drank more than I should according to doctors and by myself when I felt lonely or bored. I have thought really automatic hurtful criticisms about myself and people I love when I felt stressed…caged.
I've spent the last week binging Netflix and processing mental breakdowns due to COVID's recent visit. When my boss told me I would need to be home another week to "shred the virus" I sobbed in my living room. Once I calmed down I realized what the real issue was. I have worked extraordinarily hard at creating an environment that agrees with my mental health symptoms. I chose a fast paced, complex, and challenging career to appease my rapid firing neurons. I chose a relaxing home environment and wide social circle as a safety blanket against the extremes of my depression. Yet, when my routine was altered I felt myself falter. Penny for a prose?
My home that was meant for laughter, rest, and creativity became a cage this week. My thoughts going lightyear speed due to the lack of Adderall in favor of cold medication, spiraled without an outlet. If I were a rat, I'd be an eight ball deep right now.
Alas, I am human. A human that has worked too hard to allow my thoughts to harness the power that I deliberately created for MY greatest and highest good. So, here I am. Rambling on a computer to a desolate audience. Because, unlike the rats, I have autonomy over my life. I can unlock the door to the cage at any time and choose. Unlike the rats, we have choice. The insight and foresight to weigh our decisions against probable outcomes. The wisdom to know the cage does not control us as much as our thoughts may shape us to believe. This environment is temporary. I can comfort myself in the knowledge that my quarantine will lift and I will again have the freedom to choose my next space. I can humbly recognize my privilege in good health and wellness when so many did not have the freedom to grumble about staying home. So many that never had the chance to.
Consider your cage. Are the walls really made of iron?
If you stepped outside of it you may see the bars were flexible this whole time.