GAZING INTO THE ABYSS: TOWARD A PHILOSOPHICAL UNDERSTANDING OF ANXIETY AND FEAR.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: This paper deals with anxiety or fear-related disorders and philosophical interpretations of the phenomena of fear and anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach. The data collec¬tion was carried out using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms: "anxiety or fear-related disorders", "fear", "anxiety", "phobia", "psychology", "psychotherapy", "mental health", "philosophy", "being-in-the-world", "human existence". CONCLUSION: Conclusion: It is obvious that philosophical interpretations of the phenomena of fear and anxiety cannot be defined in clinical terms, especially given the fact that modern psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry are shifting towards evidence-based practices. Furthermore, there are significant differences in determining the causes that provoke mental health disorders (nature, nurture, their interaction or something else) and accordingly in choosing treatment methods. Apparently, the position of the researchers/practitioners will be determined by their understanding of the root cause. However, more and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that the contemporary world demonstrates the urgent need for an integral, holistic paradigm of a human as an undivided, alive and organic, ideal and material being that should be understood in the context, taking into account the socio-cultural, biological, narrative, self-relational dimensions and his/her ability to transcend them. That is why the most effective way to help people with anxiety or fear-related disorders is to develop "the optimal combination of social assistance, psychological therapy, transpersonal experience, and medical treatment. It should be based on a new transdisciplinary paradigm and implemented by an interdisciplinary team of specialists". In this process, a special role should be assigned to philosophy, which is able to expand horizons and find an approach to the core of a human being.

PHILOSOPHY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The paper aims to examine the relationship between philosophy and mental health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The authors used integrative anthropological approach, interpretive research paradigm, hermeneutical approach. The data collection was carried out using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar databases. Research papers were identified according to search terms: "mental health", "philosophy", "Ancient philosophy", "Epicureanism", "Stoicism", "Eastern philosophy", "Buddhism", "Taoism", "psychology", "psychotherapy", "anxiety", "depression", "happiness", "mindfulness", "meaning in life". CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Attempts to cope with life challenges, frustration, fear, anxiety, stress should not be isolated endeavors, but they need to be placed in a wider philosophical context, as far as every issue, including mental health issues, has a philosophical perspective at its core. Such experience can cultivate human strength, self-confidence, awareness, empathy. In times of uncertainty, when we do not know where to go, when we do not understand who we are and what is our purpose on earth, philosophy helps us to find our way. In the most difficult times, philosophy acts as a guiding star and consolation reconciling us with what we are unable to change.

MENTAL HEALTH AFTER TRAUMA: INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE DIMENSIONS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The article is devoted to uncovering the essence of the trauma, identifying the cause of its formation, and investigating the consequences for the person and the community. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The methodological basis of the given study is the interdisciplinary and hermeneutic approach, which was used in combination with the methods of retrospective, analysis, synthesis, and extrapolation, as well as the methodological apparatus of memory studies with its inherent intention of the problem of group identity formation. A prominent place in the process of writing the work played the method of critical literature review. Sources reflecting research on individual and collective dimensions of trauma were found in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Research articles were found using the keywords "trauma", "traumatic experience", "victim", "violence", "collective trauma", "cultural trauma", "memory", etc. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Modern studies of traumatic experience are inextricably linked with the scientific work of Sigmund Freud, who was one of the first to explicate trauma as a destroyer of "protection". This gave reason to modern researchers to consider it an emotional reaction of the psyche to mental, physical, or cultural violence directed against the identity of an individual or an entire community. Whether inflicted on an individual or a community as a whole, trauma invariably seeks testimony in order to produce meanings and mechanisms capable of preventing violence and preserving the mental health of both the individual and the community as a whole.