[(Self)-compassion as an antidote for psychopathology]

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of psychopathology did not decrease in prosperous countries, despite evidence-based treatment, focus on prevention and long prosperity.

Aim: To investigate if the eastern concept of self-compassion can help to decrease the prevalence of psychopathology.

Method: Literature review and interviews with experts.

Results: Health is defined as a state of complete wellbeing. This seems like a maintainable goal in prosperous countries. Setbacks are, however, an unavoidable part of life and therefore resilience is important. Normalizing a state of complete wellbeing comes at the expense of resilience because it increases stress after setbacks. Stress is an important precursor to psychopathology because it leads to suffering and dysfunction. The concept of self-compassion and compassion in a broader sense, refer to the capacity to be mild when setbacks occur. (Self)-compassion helps to regulate stress and can therefore improve resilience and contribute to decrease the prevalence of psychopathology.

Conclusion: In prosperous countries, there is little attention to resilience. The concept of (self)-compassion can contribute to mental resilience and can help to decrease the prevalence of psychopathology. Therefore, it deserves a place in the diagnostics and treatment of psychiatric disorders.