Human Flow of “Wokeness”

We live in a political age. Politics, especially identity politics, has permeated our educational, entertainment, technological and medical institutions. This not only affects our culture but also the mental health of people.

The chain of causation is clear. Activists of identity politics attack people because of their beliefs, values, race or sexuality. They scare their victims into questioning; in some cases, they destroy jobs. There is no doubt that those who are vulnerable to these attacks experience anxiety and sometimes even symptoms of mental illness.

Consider someone who is falsely accused of racism in the workplace. He may be required to “prove” that he is impartial or ignorant. All his work could depend on the judgments of the manager or the diversity committee. If he fails to turn them away, he may be fired, face serious reputational damage at work, or see opportunities for advancement blocked. Even if he “wins,” he may lose the respect of his colleagues.

Several aspects of this experience can damage his mental health. Kafkaesque false legal cases can cause paranoia and feelings of powerlessness. Work-related stress can result in sleepless nights or panic attacks. The public nature of the charges can discriminate and stigmatize him, even if he is innocent. If he expresses his reasonable distress, his accusers may present that as evidence of his guilt and bad character.

All of this is almost impossible to handle perfectly. Overall, the stress it causes can contribute to a variety of negative outcomes. For people with a history of alcoholism or substance abuse, it can help contribute to recovery. Those with a history of depression or anxiety may experience symptoms reoccurring. Marriages and family life, friendships, and even physical health may suffer. Activists may dismiss these challenges as “white supremacy,” but people of any race can struggle to manage threats to their careers or reputations.

In fact, false accusations of bias are not the only example of political culture that destroys people’s mental health. Another issue is self-employment. Those who avoid speaking their minds often struggle with isolation; if no one knows what you really believe, you can feel alone, even if you have many “friends”. Individuals who isolate themselves may develop a “false self,” an inauthentic, reactive persona that, over time, weakens their connection to their identity and leaves them feeling empty, lost, or confused inside. Being forced to reject someone’s opinion is humiliating, a sign of inferiority. And loners have to think twice before they speak, stifling humor, creativity and other joys in life. Such stress can lead to anxiety, anger or depression.

There are many issues like this. Some people lose their jobs and get promoted because of affirmative action policies, which can damage their career aspirations. Others experience anti-white racism—violent attacks, bullying at school, or harassment at work. Men find themselves in a culture that often demonizes masculinity. And so on.

Unfortunately, the mental health sector is failing to address these issues. Psychologists have not thoroughly researched these issues. Doctors who would like to learn more about the problem can find courses available. Few, if any, clinics offer services related to these disorders.

Clinical psychologists need to learn how identity politics affects people’s mental health, and what interventions, if any, will help. Today the field refuses to do so, and as a result, the victims of this theory are among the most underserved citizens in the country. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many therapists, experts and professional organizations actively promote identity politics. They argue that masculinity is toxic, defies stereotypes, and advocates for regulation. These actions contribute to the widespread distrust of work and prevent people who need treatment from seeking it.

Mental health professionals have the theoretical and clinical tools to help those affected by the excesses of identity politics. Unfortunately, they are often part of the problem rather than the solution.

Photo: Malte Mueller/fStop via Getty Images