And I don't for a minute dispute that SOME people really do need those meds. For example, my ex - the 'toxic' one - definitely had a very severe bipolar disorder (she displayed, in abundance, all the symptoms listed in the above article, and then some). Had she been properly diagnosed and treated (she wasn't, to my knowledge), perhaps her life (and mine, by default, during the time we spent together) wouldn't have been such a black pit of confusion and misery.
But I see a marked difference between her and a distracted kid who can't sit still in class, or someone who is simply going through a tough life experience. In other words, I believe that the over-diagnosing and over-prescription phenomenon actually trivializes the plight of people who are truly suffering from mental illness. It is also effectively destroying people's trust in the credibility of mental health professionals. For example, if I ever need to see a psychiatrist, I will be in an agony of doubt over whether this person is actually interested in helping me, or merely in pushing the next prescription out.
That's all I'm saying.
Also, I definitely didn't mean to upset you, but in a way I am glad that this post provoked a reaction, since I hadn't heard from you in ages...;)
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Date: 2012-01-09 01:55 am (UTC)But I see a marked difference between her and a distracted kid who can't sit still in class, or someone who is simply going through a tough life experience. In other words, I believe that the over-diagnosing and over-prescription phenomenon actually trivializes the plight of people who are truly suffering from mental illness. It is also effectively destroying people's trust in the credibility of mental health professionals. For example, if I ever need to see a psychiatrist, I will be in an agony of doubt over whether this person is actually interested in helping me, or merely in pushing the next prescription out.
That's all I'm saying.
Also, I definitely didn't mean to upset you, but in a way I am glad that this post provoked a reaction, since I hadn't heard from you in ages...;)