The Living Dead of the Real World, Society's Zombies.

 Who are the Living Dead?

The term "living dead" has many different interpretations. In the literal sense, in fiction, the living dead are referred to as Zombies, which is the most common association. In horror fiction, the "living dead" usually refers to reanimated corpses that are often contagious and crave human flesh. This image was popularized by George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. The term also falls underneath the heading "Other undead beings" and encompasses other fictional creatures that blur the line between life and death, such as vampires, ghouls, and revenants.

Figuratively, in real life, the term living dead refers to people who are emotionally or spiritually deadened: This refers to people who may be physically alive but feel disconnected from life, lacking passion, purpose, or joy. They may be going through the motions but not truly living. This can be due to various factors, such as depression, trauma, or burnout. In the medical context, the term is also attached to persons in a vegetative state. In layman's terms individuals who are alive but have lost consciousness and most brain function.

In this article, I will be referring to the living dead of the real world, society's zombies. I will be referencing the real-world situations and conditions that evoke this imagery, where people are alive in a biological sense but experience a significant disconnect from life. Here are some examples:

1. Severe Mental Health Conditions:

• Severe Depression: Individuals experiencing severe depression may feel emotionally numb, hopeless, and unable to find joy in anything. They may withdraw from social interaction and struggle with daily tasks, feeling like they're just going through the motions.

• Dissociative Disorders: These disorders, such as depersonalization/derealization disorder, can cause individuals to feel detached from their own bodies, thoughts, and feelings, or from the world around them. This can create a sense of unreality and feeling like an observer rather than a participant in life.

2. Neurological Conditions:

• Persistent Vegetative State: This is a medical condition where a person is awake but shows no signs of awareness of themselves or their environment. While their bodies may function, they have lost cognitive function.

• Locked-in Syndrome: This rare neurological condition results in complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body, except for eye movement. Individuals are conscious and aware but unable to move or communicate verbally.

3. Social and Existential Circumstances:

• Extreme Poverty and Social Isolation: People living in extreme poverty or experiencing severe social isolation may feel dehumanized and disconnected from society. They may lack access to basic resources and opportunities, leading to a sense of hopelessness and a lack of purpose.

• Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion: Chronic stress, overwork, and emotional exhaustion can lead to a state of burnout, where individuals feel emotionally drained, cynical, and detached from their work and personal lives.

• Trauma: Individuals who have experienced severe trauma may develop coping mechanisms that involve emotional numbing or dissociation, leading to a feeling of being disconnected from their emotions and the world around them.

It's crucial to approach this topic with empathy and understanding. These situations represent significant struggles for those experiencing them. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these conditions, it's important to seek professional help and support.