Today, I wanted to delve into the sixth song of the album Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, released by Dream Theater in 2002. It’s actually a 42-minute epic divided into eight distinct parts. I listened to Dream Theater quite a lot in my 20s, and this particular song holds a special place in my heart. It resonates deeply as I write this post, especially since I am spending time with my father, who suffers from mental illness.
The song explores various mental health conditions, including autism, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia, each represented by a separate movement that forms a cohesive whole. While my father’s condition isn’t directly covered by the song, it still speaks to the broader challenges of mental illnesses—especially those we cannot see physically.
The Invisible Struggle of Mental Illness
Invisible illnesses, particularly mental ones, are often harder for people to grasp and empathize with than visible disabilities. Since the individual might appear physically “normal,” it’s easy to overlook or misunderstand their struggles. Reflecting on my younger years, I realize I was naïve and unable to comprehend that such conditions required treatment.
Now, I firmly believe that our brain is the true orchestrator of our well-being, and many of its ailments stem from it. This realization has been a difficult but necessary lesson. I’ve spent years grappling with regrets about how I could have supported my father—or even my late mother—better if I had understood this earlier. This is also one of the driving forces behind my efforts with One Daily Tale. Mental illnesses are often undetected, yet they cause immense suffering for those who live unaware of their condition.
A Musical Expression of Mental Health
Returning to the song, as is typical with Dream Theater, the various mental health conditions are expressed through different tempos and musical vibes. For instance:
- “Goodnight Kiss” portrays postpartum depression through a poignant ballad.
- “War Inside My Head” offers a heavier tone, mirroring the chaos of its theme.
- “The Test That Stumped Them All” ramps up the energy with an uptempo beat, reflecting the overwhelming complexity of navigating mental health.
An interesting detail is how the album ends with a note that slowly fades out, which reappears as the opening note of their next album, Train of Thought.
The Brain: The Key to Human Unity
We still have much to learn about our nervous system, particularly the brain. Despite significant advancements in neuroscience over the past few decades, our tools for studying the brain remain relatively limited. However, research increasingly reveals that fostering a healthy brain is one of the essential keys to uniting humanity.
A plastic brain—one that can adapt and grow—enables us to:
- Be more open-minded and flexible.
- Develop greater empathy.
- Learn new concepts faster and more effectively.
Conversely, bad habits can damage our brain, often in ways we cannot immediately perceive. Traumas, for example, leave visible traces on brain scans, illustrating their profound impact. This invisibility in daily life makes it challenging to fully grasp or address.
Healthy Habits and a Vision for the Future
My hope is that society will embrace the importance of nurturing brain health. Harmful behaviors—such as excessive mobile phone usage, which rewires the brain with constant dopamine hits—should be more widely recognized as damaging.
Imagine if healthy habits for the brain were free or inexpensive, while harmful products or behaviors were more heavily taxed. For example, subsidizing fresh vegetables and healthy proteins could make nutritious food the affordable choice, while heavily processed, detrimental options would become more costly.
Of course, balance remains vital. Extremes are rarely sustainable, but for those who lack the education or means to make informed choices, a simple, cost-effective system could guide them toward better health.
Your Thoughts
What are your views on the role of brain health in shaping our future as a society? How do you think we can create a world where mental health awareness is more widespread and accessible? I’d love to hear your thoughts—let’s start a conversation!
#tales-posts
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