Moral Vision and Impaired Insight

By Lynn L. West, PhDc, BCETS, LCPC

Lynn L. West & Associates, LLC

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Moral Vision and Impaired Insight

A health care provider's own ethics and morality, which determines what matters and is meaningful, of what has value and worth, of what deserves respect and attention, and what advice they give to their patient and/or clients largely depends on their own professional training and professional orientation. The American Psychological Association defines a 'psychological world view' as a set of assumptions about physical and social reality that may have powerful effects on cognition and behavior. Individual worldviews are highly idiosyncratic and can lead to healthy or toxic thinking. Health care providers are trained to process information through protocols they have learned in their professional training programs. Training is based on learning to listen, so that the provider can process what they hear, accurately and without judgement.

Because of the overwhelming amount of information that people encounter every day, scientific studies have shown that we are only mindful and consciously thinking only 5% of the time. That is, 95% of the time we do not think; we respond with pre-learned script that we have downloaded into our nervous system, from before birth until the present time, about what we have learned that is supposed to be said. There is no thinking involved. It is an automatic response with pre-recorded script.

If you are troubled by emotions and feelings creating anxiety, depression, ruminating thoughts that are interfering with your ability to focus, pay attention, sleep, or enjoy socializing in the same activities that you usually enjoy, there is help for you. Learn that your differences are not who you are. Find your strengths “Be mindful.” “Stop thinking and start doing.” Move your body. Walk anywhere, even if it is moving in a circle around your living room. Meditate (just focus your attention, for as long as you can, on the rhythm of your breaths you take while breathing), or you can listen to gentle music that is slow and not rhythmically stimulating in beat. Any repetitive movement that you make over and over again, releases neurotransmitters and hormones into the blood stream that will help to create the condition where you can lift your mood.

Beware of people who talk “at you” and do not “listen” to your concerns, because they are too busy with their own life, think the world runs according to their rules, or are too distracted with their own business or personal concerns to be able to focus and listen to you. Discuss what is relevant and important to your healing. Do not make excuses for others. Expect respect. When you respect yourself, others will respect you.