Disorder Mode vs. Explore Mode
As someone who actively creates projects that subvert the current mental illness model, I see a massive opportunity to transform the way we think about and nurture our mental-emotional health.
And it’s in the distinction between two modes of thinking:
‘Disorder Mode’ vs. ‘Explore Mode’
Disorder mode suppresses.
Explore mode asks questions.
Disorder mode says, “fix this.”
Explore mode says, “let’s discover why.”
If you’re someone who relies solely on the disorder mode system, you’re really missing out on the larger potential to create change within your life.
I don’t pretend that this is easy. There is a lot at play to keep things status quo.
But for anyone like me, who doesn’t fit into the disorder model and who gets a lot of value from challenging existing thinking and outdated philosophies, there is so much potential for growth.
It just takes a lot more effort, because there are four unfortunate realities in the way of this type of change.
The mental illness model, our primary model for treating mental health in North America, is heavily governed by a set of principles and regulations that are at best 5-10 years behind science and culture.
We are taught from a young age to fit into a box that suppresses the innate desire to explore ourselves and our consciousness.
Science does a poor job of accounting for lived experiences and the process to actualizing alternative regulated treatments is too long.
People want new tools, but coverage for alternative treatment isn’t an option.
I believe this has to do with something called, “Fundamental Attribution Error”.
It’s when we blame an individual for the problems or behaviours that are actually influenced by the systems or situations they operate in.
You see it a lot in business, where we blame employees for problems that are actually caused by the operational business systems that they operate under.
The same can be said for the mental health crisis we’re facing today.
We are currently trying to fit our everyday human challenges into a system that is fundamentally misaligned with the nature of our everyday human experiences.
Instead of addressing the root causes—our environment, societal pressures, childhood experiences, and outdated systems—we end up pathologizing our natural human responses.
We label the individual as 'disordered,' when in reality, the system itself is flawed—designed more for managing symptoms than understanding the full spectrum of the individuals experience.
We then prescribe drugs that numb the symptoms, missing the crucial point that what we call ‘symptoms’ are often really good signals to deeper truth, understanding and healing.
We numb the pain, which might in fact be the cure.
This reductionist approach overlooks the complexity of our lives and fails to empower us through these challenges, leaving people stuck trying to navigate their mental health within a framework that doesn’t account for the whole human experience.
Until we shift our focus from numbing the pain to understanding its message, we will continue to miss the opportunity for real, transformative healing.
This is where Explore Mode comes in.
‘Disorder Mode’ vs. ‘Explore Mode’
Overview
There are two ways to treat mental health: disorder mode and explore mode
Disorder mode is the well-known medical model that classify’s emotional symptoms as disorders
Explore mode is less understood, but potentially more effective
Characteristics of disorder mode
Treats mental health as a biological-only function
Often ignores factors like environment, relationships, purpose & meaning, consumption, activity, etc.
Focuses on suppressing symptoms rather than investigating underlying causes
Relies heavily on medication and standardized protocols
Classifies deviations from “normal” behaviour as illnesses that need to be “fixed”
Characteristics of explore mode
Sees mental health as a larger, dynamic, holistic human experience
Considers the interplay between biology, psychology, sociology, spirituality and personal evolution
Prioritizes self-inquiry, reflection and finding meaning in emotional states
Emphasizes empowerment through understanding emotional triggers, relationships and surroundings
Encourages lifestyle changes, mindfulness and continuous exploration as the pathway to wellbeing
Observations
People often feel disempowered when told their mental health is a biological imbalance
Explore mode can sometimes be seen as unconventional, but it resonates with those looking for deeper understanding beyond medication
Mental health professionals who only operate in disorder mode may struggle to see the whole picture of a person’s life
Individuals who embrace explore mode often feel outcasted for bucking the status quo, this can result in shame and isolation
Future of explore mode
Still emerging as a nuanced approach, but could lead to greater autonomy in mental health care
Will account for variances from person to person based on individual needs and life contexts
Has the potential to enhance long-term emotional and mental resilience
Predictions
Explore mode will become more prominent as society demands more personalized mental health approaches
It will be more complicated but more effective over time
Individuals previously deemed “treatment-resistant” in disorder mode may thrive in this new approach
More holistic treatments could bridge the gap between biological and emotional wellbeing
Science & insurance coverage will need to catch-up to classify and cover treatments with real-world efficacy
Teachers will need to adapt their curriculum from a young age to support our children in these exploration efforts
A Moment To Pause
Let’s take a moment this morning to reflect on your life and journey so far.
Pull out your journal and write down one challenge you faced in your life regarding your mental-emotional health.
Reflect:
Was my first instinct to suppress the feeling, or explore it?
Did I seek to “fix” the discomfort", or understand why it was there?
What beliefs did I have about the way I wanted to treat or explore the challenge?
Now, shift to explore mode and ask:
Where did the beliefs come from?
What did I learn about this experience?
What do I believe now about how I can overcome, move through or nurture my emotions in the future?
Remember, the goal in Explore Mode is not to try and fix everything—it’s about learning, adapting, understanding and evolving with change.