Leading psychologist links some advertising to mental health problems
London’s Metro “newspaper” today carries an interview with psychologist Oliver James. His latest book, “Affluenza”, looks into the link between consumerist aspirations and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse. His views are undeniably tinted by his politics, but he backs up his points with some interesting evidence. Some choice quotes:
“One in four people in English-speaking countries has suffered a mental illness in the past 12 months compared with 11.5 percent of Western Europeans… Affluenza makes you ill because it prevents you meeting fundamental psychological needs. Instead you’re lured by ‘wants’ confected by advertisers who encourage consumption… All of us [have become] obsessed with having more money to have a ‘better’ lifestyle… Maybe we should be satisfied with what we’ve got. Your best bet is to try to have happy, satisfying relationships.”
A slight twist on an old story, with a very familiar conclusion.