What "Human Need" Are You Missing?

[MaynardJamesKeenan]

This is obviously Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. Anyway, I just wanted to see if people who are depressed are struggling in one or two areas or if their problems are more spread out.

Here are some problems I am struggling with...

Physiological - Sex
Safety - Employment
Love/Belonging - Sexual Intimacy
Esteem - Self Esteem, Confidence, Achievment, Respect by others
Self Actualization - Everything on that list

Looks like the weaker the lower level is the weaker the higher level becomes.

Can we learn anything from this chart?

 

[Daniel E.]

Certainly, there are major exceptions to Maslow's theory but they still make use of the original theory. For example, if you invert the triangle, I think that can be just as accurate for some exceptional situations, e.g. starving artists, religious people going on a fast, protesters who risk injury to themselves, etc.

 

[Misha]

I think a problem that alot of people with mood disorders have is that they have an upside down heirarchy of needs. I know I do. What I mean is that I struggle to meet my most basic needs, because I'm not motivated to. It's like I expect self-actualization to happen before I have a reason to eat or take care of my lower needs. I often catch myself thinking things like "I don't have self-esteem or human relationships, so why should I care about meeting needs like making rent or eating?". I need to start looking at my basic needs as a path to the higher, not vice versa.
I have coined my own phrase for this problem in my life. I call it Wolsam's Disorder (Maslow backwards...).

 

[braveheart]

... and don't you have to accept the facts before you can have self esteem?

And I use my creativity to help keep me feeling safe.

The main one I'm missing out on is Love and Belonging.
And Esteem, of course.

 

[Daniel E.]

... and don't you have to accept the facts before you can have self esteem?

Since it's so vague, maybe it means something else, like avoiding a self-serving bias.
Anyway, some details from a psychology textbook:

Characteristics of Self Actualizers:

• Perceive reality efficiently and are able to tolerate uncertainty
• Accept themselves and others for what they are
• Spontaneous in thought and behavior
• Problem-centered rather than self-centered
• Have a good sense of humor
• Highly creative
• Resistant to enculturation, although not purposely unconventional
• Concerned for the welfare of humanity
• Capable of deep appreciation of the basic experiences of life
• Establish deep, satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few, rather than many, people
• Able to look at life from an objective viewpoint

Behaviors Leading to Self-Actualization:

• Experience life as a child does, with full absorption and concentration
• Try something new rather than sticking to secure and safe ways
• Listen to your own feelings in evaluating experiences rather than to the voice of tradition or authority or the majority
• Be honest; avoid pretenses or "game playing"
• Be prepared to be unpopular if your views do cont coincide with those of most people
• Assume responsibility
• Work hard at whatever you decide to do
• Try to identify your defenses and have the courage to give them up

Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology, 13th edition (pg. 472)

I call it Wolsam's Disorder (Maslow backwards...)

Sounds like a good name for a book on the self-neglect aspects of depression, etc.

 

[Misha]

Sounds like a good name for a book on the self-neglect aspects of depression, etc.

Yikes! I'd better start writing!

 

[solitary man]

Mine is love and belonging, which leads me to believe that I'll never find love in my lifetime.

There's a song by Olivia Newton John called "Recovery" which features the line: "I've lived without tenderness for too many years, why would I need it now?"

I think I'm far too screwed up for anyone to spend their time with.