Are psychiatric diagnoses valid? I'm beginning to wonder. At best, they are sometimes misapplied to the point of becoming meaningless. At worst, they are causing great harm both psychologically and physically.
I was once working with a child who was also seeing a psychiatrist. Like many children with whom I work this child had numerous diagnoses: ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder. However, when the mother would describe the child's behavior I would instantly think "trauma". I kept saying this to her, but she was swayed by the authority of the doctor and maintained his belief the child was mentally ill. Until her child told her he had been sexually and physically abused.
Mental health professionals from around the world are signing a petition contesting the proposed changes to the DSM-5, as the medical model of mental illness continues to have its validity challenged.
"To call normal children diseased, abnormal, chemically imbalanced. To make patients out of them for profit. This is not only anti-scientific, it is contrary to our Hippocratic oath. It is immoral, and it should be exposed and stopped."
Dr. Fred A. Baughman, MD Neurologist and Author As quoted from the movie, "Generation RX"
Last year I posted several articles about maintaining your mental health during the holiday season. I'm sure I'll be posting new ones this year, but it doesn't hurt to recap past posts. I doubt the stressors of the holidays have changed in one year...
In working with clients struggling with depression I often find that the work environment provides a lot of distress and discontent. I've not been exempt from these influences myself and always find the strategies of management to be somewhat curious.
It was a sad day here in Austin as we watched yet another student of the University of Texas shoot himself to death. We are reminded of Charles Whitman who did the same thing in 1966.
The Department of Justice has issued a press release regarding criminal charges against the pharmaceutical company responsible for the manufacture of Lexapro and Celexa.
Alcoholics. A recent article in Time reports that heavy drinkers live longer than nondrinkers. Moderate drinkers faired the best. But the finding that heavy drinkers came in second - above teetotalers - stunned many.