god forbade...must reading

Over Population

   The United Nations estimates half the world population now lives in cities, a number that will grow to two-thirds by 2045. Many states are already struggling with overcrowded conditions in their schools, prisons and hospitals, ER’s and the situation is only going to get worse.

   Severe overcrowding creates increased competition for limited resources, presents challenges in providing adequate sanitation and health care services. It contributes to elevated crime rates and other social problems. However, even mild overcrowding can have significant psychological implications and you don’t have to travel to a refugee camp to experience them.

    Look for some the psychological effects of over crowding.

• Lack of privacy. Most of us are used to having some degree of alone-time and personal space, privacy. Removing such privileges often results in depression and the exacerbation of other psychological symptoms and illness.

• Strained relationships. Overcrowding has been found to strain both social and familial relationships. This usually affects caretakers and their dependents more significantly.

• Increased irritability and aggression. Overcrowding and noise are well known to promote restlessness, irritability and heightened aggression. This is already having detrimental effects evident in many of our large cities.

• Subculture of complaints and discontent. An increase in dissatisfactions and growing social discontent, especially among young adults, often leads to outbreaks of civil unrest.

    The psychological effects of overcrowding are already having a negative impact in many of our prisons and schools. No studies show the effects of the role of discontent fueling the Occupy Wall Street protests around the world.

    An amazing complaining output does come with a psychological price. Counterintuitive as it may sound, rather than offering relief, expressing too many complaints often leaves us feeling helpless and victimized.

    Perhaps now more than ever it is crucial we learn how to complain effectively to get results. Whether we want to complain about the conditions in our schools, prisons, or hospitals, or about the lack of temporary bathroom facilities at Occupy Wall Street sites, by doing so effectively we can 1) create change and 2) have one less thing to complain about.

Guy Winch, Ph.D.

in The Squeaky Wheel

Psychology Today