Drift hypothesis, concerning the relationship between mental illness and social class, is the argument that illness causes one to have a downward shift in social class.[1] The circumstances of one’s social class do not cause the onset of a mental disorder, but rather, an individual’s deteriorating mental health occurs first, resulting in low social class attainment.[2] The drift hypothesis is the opposing theory of the social causation thesis, which says being in a lower social class is a contributor to the development of a mental illness.
I am more inclined to support the drift hypothesis. I have been mentally ill all through adulthood and fit into category E whereas my father is in category A.
This does happen even despite mental illness I think. Growing up in an upper middle class or lower upper class home doesn’t guarantee you that same position or success in life. I know people who have made their career in a humble bakery despite having come from upper class families. I think mental illness makes it a whole lot more likely that you are to drift downwards in the social ladder, but I see this happen to those who aren’t mentally ill too.
I am fortunate that though I do live on a pension due to disability I come from a family that is able and more than willing to help it’s own and this includes my sister as well who does not have a mental illness but has struggled in life (yes she does work). So though there’s a good chance I may always be relatively poor I know I will never starve or be homeless.
I said in the other thread that I am comfortable around people from most social classes. I used to live in a run down old apartment building in a working class neighborhood and became good friends with an aspiring musician (yes he worked) who’s father was a venture capitalist. There are all sorts of people from all sorts of walks of this life in all sorts of circumstances I’ve found.
And anyway who’s saying I’ll never make my million bucks anyway I’m still relatively young after all!
Nice keep a positive perspective. I am holding out hope that my life will pick back up as I get better. I am still young to my glory days might come to me in my thirties. I’m a pretty smart and hard working individual. For now though I am in the lower class my only income will be from disability payments until I get a job. Then I’ll still be quite limited as I can only earn 1000 dollars a month. But hey today my voices are popping in and out and not really saying much, so I’m starting to get better.
I’m still relatively young after all!