Author: Makenna Berry


Riding a Harley-DavidsonãA –Vehicle” to Existential Joy?

HarleyDavidson_Duo-Glide_Typ_FLH20wiki

What relationship does the experience of riding Harley Davidson-Motorcycles have to existentialism? A first response may be “Nothing!” Riding a Harley is a leisure activity—it is not related to existentialist philosophy or psychology at all. Because I have conducted extensive research on the meaning of riding a Harley for those who own them, I wondered… Read more »

A diagnosis of “gender identity disorder” or “authenticity?”

Gender

The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for GID is: A strong and persistent cross-bender identification (not merely a desire for any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex). Persistent discomfort with his or her sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that that sex. The disturbance is not concurrent with the physical intersex… Read more »

What does it mean to “recover” from a mental health issue?

Recovery20shirt

Photo by Portland Prevention (Creative Commons licence) Recovery is: “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” This is the new working definition of recovery that was co-created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the… Read more »

We are we lonely around the holidays? Because we’re lonely all the time.

Santas20On20Steps

Photo by Steve Hopson (Creative Commons License) The holidays are here, as if you have not noticed the cheery songs singing of happiness, joy, presents and Santa Claus. This is time when many people are planning trips to visit family and putting together plans for some food and drink filled celebrations. Even during this time… Read more »

Myths are rules — to follow and to break

American20Beauty

The movie is about a myth … Dr. Louis Hoffman recently published a book, Existential Psychology: East-West, is a collection of articles written by leading scholars of Existential psychology. I was drawn to one particular chapter titled “An Existential Analysis of American Beauty” by Cathy Calvert, Kate Calhoon, Steve Fehl, and Christen Gregory. Briefly, the… Read more »