This work focuses on the connection and relationship between depression and neoliberal capitalism. It first describes the history of neoliberalism, its ascension to real politics and its typical policies in favour of the free market, which increase the inequalities in society. The second chapter shows the correlation between the mental disorder epidemic and the
neoliberalisation of society. The influence of society on its individuals is presented next, after which the misguided approach of psychiatry to healing mental disorders is presented – how it isolates them from the influence of society, shifts the responsibility for them to the individual and makes him at least partially functional in society with the use of antidepressants. The next section shows how the structural changes of the organisation of labour exacerbate the alienation of the individual from his work, his coworkers and from himself. Afterwords certain free-time activities are presented that legitimise neoliberal values of individualism and unlimited development, after which it is shown how the consumerist mechanism perpetuates the individual’s dissatisfaction, as well as devalues and commodifies his potential rebellion against the system. The last part of the work is reserved for a short contemplation of the options that are left for the isolated and depressed individuals in neoliberal society.
|
