The West: An autoimmune disease?

Abstract

Context

This work explores the paradoxical stress mechanisms in Western societies, marked by consumption and comfort. Despite the perceived well-being of modern capitalist societies, a profound psychosomatic discontent manifests, reflected in the rise of stress-induced illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and psychiatric disorders. The article uses the metaphor of autoimmunity to describe Western societal dysfunction, drawing parallels between biological self-destruction and societal self-harm driven by hyper-individualism, economic pressures, and digital dependencies.

Objectives

This study aims to analyze the mechanisms through which Western societies contribute to self-destructive processes, paralleling the way autoimmune diseases function within the body. It seeks to demonstrate how excessive control, consumerism, and the digital environment exacerbate stress, which in turn contributes to both physical and psychological deterioration. The philosophical question underpinning this analysis is whether the societal and economic systems in the West are undermining the self-defense mechanisms of their members, akin to an autoimmune response.

Method

The article adopts a qualitative and theoretical approach, integrating concepts from psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, and epidemiology. The author incorporates clinical observations, epidemiological data, and philosophical reflections to explore the effects of chronic stress on mental and physical health. Drawing on psychoneuroimmunology, the research explores the bi-directional interaction between the mind, nervous system, and immune function, focusing on the relationship between stress, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Results

Our exploration reveals a significant correlation between the rise of autoimmune diseases and the psychosocial stresses of Western capitalist societies. Epidemiological data support the link between chronic stress, psychiatric disorders, and autoimmune conditions. The article also highlights how the digital economy's manipulation of stress and fear (such as through FOMO) contributes to widespread psychological distress. This stress, in turn, disrupts immune function, leading to a cycle of physical and psychological degeneration.

Interpretation

Western societies, through their relentless pursuit of control, comfort, and consumption, create environments of heightened stress that mirror the dysfunctions of autoimmune diseases, where the body turns against itself. The research suggests that modern capitalist structures are pathogenic, exacerbating stress, weakening immune resilience, and fostering mental health crises. The article concludes that a holistic approach is necessary to address this systemic dysfunction, advocating for a reconceptualization of health that integrates mental, physical, and societal well-being.