Pathological altruism is a mental disorder characterized by excessive concern for the well-being of others in the absence of oneself. What Is Toxic Altruism?Īccording to pathological altruism pioneer Barbara Oakley, good intentions gone awry encompasses any behavior that harms either the provider or the recipient of a supposed well-meaning gesture. Mental health professionals are divided on the matter, and it is ultimately up to the individual to decide whether or not they believe that it is a positive or negative desire. Ultimately, there is no clear consensus on whether or not wanting to help the world is considered pathological. Altruism is often seen as a positive trait, as it can lead to people helping others in need. They argue that there is nothing wrong with wanting to help others, and that this desire is actually a positive thing. Others believe that the desire to help the world is simply a kind of altruism. This delusion can lead to a number of different mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. They argue that people who want to help the world are often suffering from a delusion that they can make a difference. Some mental health professionals believe that the desire to help the world is a symptom of a larger problem. However, there is no clear consensus on the matter. Some people believe that it is a sign of mental illness, while others believe that it is simply a kind of altruism. Each author's approach points to one disturbing truth: what we value so much, the altruistic "e good"e side of human nature, can also have a dark side that we ignore at our peril.There has been much debate surrounding the idea of whether or not wanting to help the world is considered pathological. The contributing authors provide a scientific, social, and cultural foundation for the subject of pathological altruism, creating a new field of inquiry. Pathological Altruism is a groundbreaking new book - the first to explore the negative aspects of altruism and empathy, seemingly uniformly positive traits. Pathologies of altruism and empathy not only underlie health issues, but also a disparate slew of humankind's most troubled features, including genocide, suicide bombing, self-righteous political partisanship, and ineffective philanthropic and social programs that ultimately worsen the situations they are meant to aid. In fact, pathological altruism, in the form of an unhealthy focus on others to the detriment of one's own needs, may underpin some personality disorders. Hyperempathy - an excess of concern for what others think and how they feel - helps explain popular but poorly defined concepts such as codependency. The selflessness of patients with eating abnormalities forms an important aspect of those disorders. Pathologies of empathy, for example, may trigger depression as well as the burnout seen in healthcare professionals. Pathological Altruism presents a number of new, thought-provoking theses that explore a range of hurtful effects of altruism and empathy. Like most good things, however, altruism can be distorted or taken to an unhealthy extreme. These qualities are so highly regarded and embedded in both secular and religious societies that it seems almost heretical to suggest they can cause harm. The benefits of altruism and empathy are obvious.
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