Deborah Ogbadu

The duality of man has been seen in various views. One view suggests that the duality of man is the idea that human being has both good and evil within them and can only be distinguished by the decisions they choose to make. Another viewpoint says that the mind and body not only have different meanings but also refer to different kinds of entities in which the mind is not identified with the brain, which is conceived as a testable theory. Uncommon perspectives on duality include our ideas about who we are versus who we want to be; our freedom versus constraints; our thoughts versus actions, and so on. They frequently held metaphysical and philosophical beliefs. The concept of dualism holds that the mind and body are fundamentally separate and that some aspects of mental events are not physically present. Although it can be traced back to Plato, Aristotle, and the Sankhya and Yoga schools of Hindu philosophy, René Descartes’ formulation of it in the 17th century is considered to be the most explicit. Descartes was the first to explicitly link consciousness and self-awareness to the mind and to separate it from the brain, which he believed to be the physical source of the intellect. Descartes asserts that the mind is a substance that exists on its own because it has no spatial extension and cannot be thought of as a material thing, which is why most theologies embrace the idea that eternal souls dwell in a separate “realm” from the physical universe. If you wish to grasp life more deeply, you must get familiar with the concept of duality. The concept of duality suggests that every facet of life is the result of the harmonious interaction of opposing and rival forces. These forces, though, are complementary rather than just ideologically opposed. These opposites don’t cancel each other out; rather, they just complement one another like a butterfly’s two wings. The two halves of a coin are analogous to these opposites, and when joined, they make up a full coin. The duality of man investigated if a person’s psychological and mental state could influence their physical health. This was done in the context of the health sciences. This theory is backed by William Hasker’s “emergent dualism” and “property dualism,” which hold that the mind is a collection of independent attributes that emerge from the brain rather than a separate substance. Therefore, mental properties appear when a matter is arranged appropriately; i.e., how sentient human bodies are positioned. They contend that the mind is a quality or thing that results from the proper arrangement of physical matter and may thus be impacted by any reorganization of matter. Fundamental ties exist between physical and mental health. Numerous connections exist between persistent physical illness and mental health that harm people’s quality of life; increase the need for public services like health care, and have negative ramifications for society. Health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is not just the absence of sickness or infirmity but also a condition of the whole physical, mental, and social well-being. Case studies demonstrating this connection between the mind and body, as well as arguments in opposition to philosophical conceptions of the dual nature of man, include the case of Phineas Gage, who had one or both of his frontal lobes destroyed by a projectile iron rod, is frequently used to demonstrate that the brain affects the mind. Gage’s mental state undoubtedly changed as a result of the tragedy. His mental condition changed as a result of this physical occurrence, the destruction of a portion of his brain, indicating a connection between the brain and mental states. Similar cases abound; neurologist David Eagleman cites the case of another person who displayed increasing symptoms on two distinct occasions and was shown to have tumors growing in a specific region of his brain in each instance. Additionally, there is compelling empirical proof that cognitive processes have a physical basis in the brain, where hidden attitudes and subjective experiences may both be recognized. The immaterial mind and the material body, although being onto-logically separate things, may nevertheless causally interact in some unexplained manner via the pineal gland, according to Descartes. Despite this, it is important to emphasize how a person’s emotional condition can influence their physical state and vice versa. Faking it till you make it, or believing or acting like someone else until you obtain what you want, is an illustration of the power that mental perception has over physical form. The placebo effect, when the brain tricks the body into believing a phony treatment is real and results in an improvement in physical or mental health, is another well-known illustration. The objective of the relationship described in this essay is to demonstrate how one’s view of one’s life, one’s self, and one’s circumstances can have a significant impact on one’s physical health. How pessimism can harm one’s physical health as well as one’s mental well-being. Being a case study, anorexia nervosa is frequently brought on by stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, or other conditions that result in poor mental health and cause the patient to obsess over their weight. Similar to how being physically ill for a prolonged length of time — say, for two months — can influence one’s mental health, physical symptoms might also accompany mental health issues. Anxiety, for instance, can result in an upset stomach, and both depression and anxiety can cause headaches, exhaustion, and digestive issues. Other signs can include restlessness, an inability to focus, and insomnia. Obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes are a few physical health disorders that might affect those who have mental health concerns. Additionally, schizophrenia has been associated with an increased risk of respiratory and cardiac conditions. Both chronic physical diseases and mental health are impacted by the socioeconomic determinants of health. Lifestyle decisions and social interactions operate as mediating factors in the indirect impact of previous mental health on physical health. Only past physical exercise can buffer the link between past physical health and present mental health. There is a persistent misconception that mental health is less essential than physical health and should be given less priority. Contrarily, mental health is just as crucial as physical health. However, there are also more subtly harmful ways that poor mental health affects physical health. When someone is aware of their mental health condition, they may believe their current state of well-being is solely related to their mental health, even when they may be suffering from a physical illness. A person may believe that their sadness is the reason they can’t get out of bed, but in actuality, they may also have a thyroid disorder or an abnormal blood sugar level. Additionally, due to a shortage of healthcare professionals who are aware of their emotional requirements or a lack of access, people with mental health disorders are frequently less likely to receive medical care for physical illnesses. The opposite is also true. For instance, even if you are aware that you have high blood pressure, you might not be aware that you also suffer from anxiety, which could result in untreated anxiety. So, whenever an issue arises, it’s crucial to evaluate both your physical and emotional wellness. All the aforementioned health issues are caused by poor mental health, but even in minute ways, the outside environment’s poor mental health has a significant impact on one’s physical well-being. The workplace, the dynamic between parents or elders and the younger generation or children, a child’s upbringing, and other such domains are covered by the aforementioned statement. People who have chronic physical conditions are at risk of acquiring poor mental health. Poor mental health is also a risk factor for chronic physical disorders. Mental health conditions can arise in people who already have physical health issues. A dermatological ailment known as psoriasis causes painful red blisters on the skin. Depression and severe stress are linked to it. Psoriasis patients encounter emotional and psychological anguish, which has a detrimental effect on their general health and quality of life. Anxiety, stigma, and rejection are the main causes of stress and depression. Exercise is one way to enhance one’s physical and mental well-being. In addition to helping you stay physically fit; exercise can also lift your spirits. A daily 10-minute stroll may improve your mental clarity, leaving you feeling energized and upbeat. You may feel better physically and emotionally if you eat a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed sweets or fats. Think about collaborating with a competent dietician to develop a diet strategy that is tailored to your needs. Getting a good night’s sleep, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, being optimistic (yeah, optimism), and being transparent with individuals you can trust are all important. The first step in creating methods to lessen the occurrence of co-existing ailments and support people who are already living with mental illnesses and chronic physical conditions is understanding the connections between the mind and body, though. If you are unaware of an issue, you cannot solve it. One must, in the end, accept who they are to understand their current circumstances. The value of care, affection, and mental well-being in and for an individual is increasingly being recognized by global society. For the next generation, it has become standard practice to constantly promote self-love and find ways to decompress from mental tension. As society develops, the face of health is beginning to alter. Collective communities must accept how crucial self-care (both physically and emotionally) is to the development of the community if they want to see a civilization of future togetherness. Just as it is okay to be physically sick and take a day off from work, school, or an activity, it is okay to be mentally ill and take that time off as well. Many misconceptions about the mentally ill had been dispelled, leading many people to avoid admitting to a problem that could be solved. “A child’s intelligent heart can fathom the depth of many dark places, but can it fathom the delicate moment of its detachment? Henry Barthes: We have such a responsibility to guide our young so that they don’t end up falling apart, falling by the wayside, becoming insignificant” excerpt from the film ‘Detachment’ directed by Adrian Brody. A movie that speaks the truth about society and how society in itself deals with its little problems before they become catastrophic. Focusing on children and their education and their home, the sources of their inborn anger and depression is a way to highlight what we need to put in the spotlight for this generation and the next. It also, in its way, highlights the detrimental circle of parental and environmental influence on a child. The misconceptions of mental health circle around the mentally ill not being able to work, how uncommon mental illness is, how it is a sign of weakness, how social life is nonexistent, how they need a therapist, and how mental illness is permanent. Having to deal with a mental health condition takes a lot of strength and zeal, and more often than not, it cannot be fought alone. During the transition period in a person’s vision of life, which occurs in adolescence, the intensity of this duality of man is seen. How a young person could feel one thing but think another. This could be the first step that society takes to unite on a global scale and alter people’s perceptions of both physical and mental health. Eliminating the stigma associated with it. Similar to how maintaining physical fitness keeps our bodies strong, maintaining mental fitness enables us to achieve and maintain good mental health. When our minds are in good shape, we appreciate our lives, our surroundings, and the people that inhabit them. We can innovate, learn, explore, and take risks. Instead of wallowing in our losses, we should study and do things that will inspire us to become better people. We should realize that while we may not be physically related, we are all connected mentally.