Sorry for the sensationalist thread title...but it got you to click on here, no?



But check this out:

DSM-5: Will millions more Americans be diagnosed with mental illness?

The impending publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th Edition (DSM-5) has kindled fiery debate about whether Americans are being vastly over-diagnosed with mental illness or if Americans are psychologically sicker than they used to be.

The new "bible" of psychiatric diagnoses, which will be released later this month, includes new disorders relating to grief, childhood temper tantrums, binge eating, PMS, and painful sex (now called genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder), among others. It has also changed how existing conditions—including oft-polarizing ADHD and autism—are diagnosed.

According to the new definitions the DSM-5 uses, some experts predict about 50 percent of U.S. citizens could be diagnosed as "mentally ill" at some point during their lifetime.

(edited for compliance)

The DSM-5 changes were approved late last year, and since then, plenty of experts and organizations have weighed in on the pros and cons of the new guide.

According to the American Psychiatric Association—the group responsible for changes to the DSM-5—the new manual is “based on sound scientific data” compiled from “a comprehensive review of scientific advances.” The DSM-5 Task Force also posted frequent reports about the proposed changes on its website, including a detailed FAQ, and, starting in 2010, made hundreds of presentations at leading medical conferences around the world.

Incorrectly prescribed psychiatric medication can have dangerous side effects—and may be especially dangerous for kids. For example, the FDA has mandated a “black box label warning” that certain antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)—such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil, among others—may increase risk for suicidal behavior or thinking in teens and children.

Antipsychotic drugs—currently prescribed to m... Americans for such mental illnesses as bipolar disorder, severe depression, and schizophrenia—often cause weight gain, boosting risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Other adverse effects can include dizziness, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and persistent muscles spasms, according to the NIMH.

The NIMH also reports that every year, about 5 percent of people taking typical antipsychotic drugs develop a disorder called tardive dyskinesia, which is an often chronic condition characterized by uncontrollable muscle movements, such as facial grimaces, repetitive chewing, tongue thrusting, or finger movements, that can range from mild to severe.

A coalition of 32 organizations—including divisions of the influential American Psychological Association (APA)—argue that the DSM-5 lowers the threshold for a diagnosis of mental illness and contributes to “excessive medicalization,” “stigmatization,” and “pathologization” of normal human responses and behavior.

For example, according to the DSM-5, grief over the death of a loved one could qualify as major depressive disorder if it lasts more than two weeks and the bereaved person experiences such symptoms as loss of appetite and interest in daily activities, trouble sleeping and focusing, and feelings of worthlessness or despair.

This change is one of the most controversial in the DSM-5, but some experts believe it will have a positive impact on patients. “While everyone experiences grief, for some people, a major loss can be a trigger for depression,” notes Dr. Daniel Amen, MD, a board-certified child and general psychiatrist with clinics in several cities. “Making the criteria more expansive could help those people be identified and treated sooner, thus reducing their suffering."

Additionally, “patients with hard-to-diagnose chronic pain risk being labeled with ‘somatic symptom disorder’ under new DSM-5 criteria if their doctor decides the problem is all in their heads,” says Dr. Frances, who is also former chair of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

The addition of these and other new disorders—including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (formerly included in an appendix to the DSM-IV), excoriation (skin picking), and hoarding disorder (a perceived need to save items and distress associated with discarding them)—means that insurance companies will now reimburse therapists or other healthcare providers for treating them.

If you’re unsure if your disorder is covered, contact your plan to discuss your mental health benefits, advises Dr. Amen. About 80 percent of patients with psychological symptoms receive their initial evaluation and diagnosis from a primary care provider—care that is typically covered under most plans, Dr. Amen and other experts report.

Some proposed disorders, including hypersexual disorder (sex addiction), were rejected by the Task Force, which also changed the diagnostic criteria for a number of existing disorders. If therapy for your disorder is not covered, you can still consult your primary care provider to discuss other treatment options or check for a support group in your area.



I tried to include the more important parts of the story...for the full article go HERE

It's very unfortunate, but I believe this to be true. I also think it's worldwide, not just America.

You can just take a look at the news or some of the social media sites and you know right away that many, many people suffer from mental illness. Just take a look at this site. I can tell we have a few here that need to be on some good meds and seeing a good doctor. They are screaming for help, but they're not going to get it from social media. They need real professional help.

Empress said:

It's very unfortunate, but I believe this to be true. I also think it's worldwide, not just America.

You can just take a look at the news or some of the social media sites and you know right away that many, many people suffer from mental illness. Just take a look at this site. I can tell we have a few here that need to be on some good meds and seeing a good doctor. They are screaming for help, but they're not going to get it from social media. They need real professional help.

you're not RIGHT!



...then again...

NDRU said:

I look at it this way: we get physically ill, what's the big deal with getting mentally ill "at some point during your lifetime?" The problem is if you don't get better [Edited 5/15/13 8:55am]

I dunno...it screams to me of a "sick" society/culture when such a large percentage of it is "ill", wouldn't you say?

Nah the world is sick. No shock some become insane...

Mental is the new normal.

I am diagnosed with a mental illness.

(It was Bipolar type 2, which is the same thing that Kathryn Zetta Jones has. There is more depression and not a whole lot of Manic behavior).

I have seriously changed my diet and it has helped with my depression just as it has helped with my physical health.

There have been studies done on the effects of high salt intake on the brain as well as sugar and a bunch of other things. The foods that adversely effect our brain our the ones that also damage other parts of the body.

Also we are bombarded with media and expectations of society. We are encouraged to constantly compare ourselves to others.

I have found out that I can really change my mental health by taking control of my life and making choices verses letting things happen.

morningsong said:

Mental is the new normal.

I think what is not covered is that mental abuse is definitely the norm and has been the norm in this country for centuries, it's just not discussed as much.

PurpleJedi said:

Empress said:

It's very unfortunate, but I believe this to be true. I also think it's worldwide, not just America.

You can just take a look at the news or some of the social media sites and you know right away that many, many people suffer from mental illness. Just take a look at this site. I can tell we have a few here that need to be on some good meds and seeing a good doctor. They are screaming for help, but they're not going to get it from social media. They need real professional help.

you're not RIGHT!



...then again...

I am definitely right. I know because I have close family members that suffer from mental illness. Most of them are in denial and do not take meds, can't hold a job, have very few friends and generally do nothing to contribute to society.

I think you know exactly who I'm talking about on this site. I don't get involved in his posts but I know mental illness when I see it or in this case when I read it.

I'm sure it's a very hard thing to come to terms with, but if people are willing to admit it, they can start to get help. I know a couple of people who are doing just fine now because they are no longer in denial and have gotten professional help.

Deadflow3r said:

I am diagnosed with a mental illness.

(It was Bipolar type 2, which is the same thing that Kathryn Zetta Jones has. There is more depression and not a whole lot of Manic behavior).

I have seriously changed my diet and it has helped with my depression just as it has helped with my physical health.

There have been studies done on the effects of high salt intake on the brain as well as sugar and a bunch of other things. The foods that adversely effect our brain our the ones that also damage other parts of the body.

Also we are bombarded with media and expectations of society. We are encouraged to constantly compare ourselves to others.

I have found out that I can really change my mental health by taking control of my life and making choices verses letting things happen.

Good for you. I hope you also have a reliable support system behind you.

Timmy84 said:

morningsong said:

Mental is the new normal.

I think what is not covered is that mental abuse is definitely the norm and has been the norm in this country for centuries, it's just not discussed as much.

Sure you are definately right, also the growing shift or rather rise in diagnoses, or is there a rise?

Empress said:

Deadflow3r said:

I am diagnosed with a mental illness.

(It was Bipolar type 2, which is the same thing that Kathryn Zetta Jones has. There is more depression and not a whole lot of Manic behavior).

I have seriously changed my diet and it has helped with my depression just as it has helped with my physical health.

There have been studies done on the effects of high salt intake on the brain as well as sugar and a bunch of other things. The foods that adversely effect our brain our the ones that also damage other parts of the body.

Also we are bombarded with media and expectations of society. We are encouraged to constantly compare ourselves to others.

I have found out that I can really change my mental health by taking control of my life and making choices verses letting things happen.

Good for you. I hope you also have a reliable support system behind you.

NO I DON'T

That is the miracle of it.

I have been homeless, away from my child etc and still am more together then I have been in 13 yrs.

My family likes calling me the crazy one and provoking me.

I now realize that I have control over whether or not I am provoked. That comments like " you seem very emotional right now; are you sure your on the right meds?" Are meant to make me think that the subject of our discussion is not what is troubling me but actually I am just unbalanced.

So now I remain calm cool and collected no matter what. I do my best Michelle Obama impression when I am around people who seem to like to talk about my mental illness.

Deadflow3r said:

I am diagnosed with a mental illness.

(It was Bipolar type 2, which is the same thing that Kathryn Zetta Jones has. There is more depression and not a whole lot of Manic behavior).

I have seriously changed my diet and it has helped with my depression just as it has helped with my physical health.

There have been studies done on the effects of high salt intake on the brain as well as sugar and a bunch of other things. The foods that adversely effect our brain our the ones that also damage other parts of the body.

Also we are bombarded with media and expectations of society. We are encouraged to constantly compare ourselves to others.

I have found out that I can really change my mental health by taking control of my life and making choices verses letting things happen.

would you please all stop staring at me!!!!!

we live in a world full of cognitive dissonance. for example we're told all men are equal, yet it clearly is not so. for example we are told we went to war for truth and justice, then we see pictures of babies blown up accidentally or someone's wedding party bombed and we find out someone else lost a few billion of our tax dollars. so, imo, it would be a full on miracle if all of us were not at least a little crazy. sanity is illogical in a world like ours

NDRU said:

I look at it this way: we get physically ill, what's the big deal with getting mentally ill "at some point during your lifetime?" The problem is if you don't get better

and...

PurpleJedi said:

NDRU said:

I look at it this way: we get physically ill, what's the big deal with getting mentally ill "at some point during your lifetime?" The problem is if you don't get better [Edited 5/15/13 8:55am]

I dunno...it screams to me of a "sick" society/culture when such a large percentage of it is "ill", wouldn't you say?

Mental illness doesn't have to mean "crazy." It might mean depressed, anxious, panicky, or some other fairly ordinary feeling that has become imbalanced due to chemicals or circumstances.

My point is that the article said they would be diagnosed with something during their lifetimes. Well, I have had depression and anxiety, but I've also not had them. So I got better. No big deal.

It just helps to play the ORG drinking game. You take a drink every time IMAGO hits on someone or at the very least PurpleJedi.

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

I dunno...it screams to me of a "sick" society/culture when such a large percentage of it is "ill", wouldn't you say?

Mental illness doesn't have to mean "crazy." It might mean depressed, anxious, panicky, or some other fairly ordinary feeling that has become imbalanced due to chemicals or circumstances.

My point is that the article said they would be diagnosed with something during their lifetimes. Well, I have had depression and anxiety, but I've also not had them. So I got better. No big deal.

Yeah, I realize that.

BUT still...half the population?

kewlschool said:

It just helps to play the ORG drinking game. You take a drink every time IMAGO hits on someone or at the very least PurpleJedi.

PurpleJedi said:

NDRU said:

Mental illness doesn't have to mean "crazy." It might mean depressed, anxious, panicky, or some other fairly ordinary feeling that has become imbalanced due to chemicals or circumstances.

My point is that the article said they would be diagnosed with something during their lifetimes. Well, I have had depression and anxiety, but I've also not had them. So I got better. No big deal.

Yeah, I realize that.

BUT still...half the population?

I don't think that's so high, compared to physical illness

PurpleJedi said:

kewlschool said:

It just helps to play the ORG drinking game. You take a drink every time IMAGO hits on someone or at the very least PurpleJedi.

You have to admit that it happens a lot and Org people would get drunk.

Empress said:

PurpleJedi said:

you're not RIGHT!



...then again...

I am definitely right. I know because I have close family members that suffer from mental illness. Most of them are in denial and do not take meds, can't hold a job, have very few friends and generally do nothing to contribute to society.

I think you know exactly who I'm talking about on this site. I don't get involved in his posts but I know mental illness when I see it or in this case when I read it.

I'm sure it's a very hard thing to come to terms with, but if people are willing to admit it, they can start to get help. I know a couple of people who are doing just fine now because they are no longer in denial and have gotten professional help.

iaminparties said:

Empress said:

I am definitely right. I know because I have close family members that suffer from mental illness. Most of them are in denial and do not take meds, can't hold a job, have very few friends and generally do nothing to contribute to society.

I think you know exactly who I'm talking about on this site. I don't get involved in his posts but I know mental illness when I see it or in this case when I read it.

I'm sure it's a very hard thing to come to terms with, but if people are willing to admit it, they can start to get help. I know a couple of people who are doing just fine now because they are no longer in denial and have gotten professional help.

She doesn't seem to realise you aren't in denial and that you have sought help and do have medication I fail to see what the point is. It's like certain people on this site (and the general public) believe people with mental illness should be shut away or kept out of public unless they "fix" themselves.

I agree, half the folks in this world, if not more are undiagnosed mental cases. Hell sometimes I thnk I'm one of them.

my ears are burning.

I'd say it's more like 99% of America.

Empress said:

I think you know exactly who I'm talking about on this site. I don't get involved in his posts but I know mental illness when I see it or in this case when I read it.

You know mental illness can run in the family don't ya? You can't make a 'diagnosis' from reading some posts on the interweb. People post in all kinds of states for all kinds of reasons. I've posted on here plenty of times myself after all night sessions of drugs and alcohol. Who'd have guessed?

While there are serious cases all over the world Western society especially seems to love diagnosing people with something or other more and more. When I was a kid you had 'little fuckers'. Now they're misdiagnosed as ADHD, ADD or 'a bit autistic' or some other bollocks at the drop of a hat.

I know someone that has a little fucker. She can't be arsed to discipline her kids properly. She took him to a Doc who readily 'diagnosed' him with something or other and bosh, he's on the smarties.

Then there's the Adults. I know someone that's bang on anti-depressants that doesn't really need them. They're not clinically depressed as far as I can see, though I'm no trick cyclist. I've spent time with the mentally ill and mentally handicapped on psychiatric wards. I know a bit about it. People are hooked on pills and you'd never convince them they could do without em. Loads of people are on meds that don't suit em and have been for years. Others that should be on meds aren't. I think we all know who they are. It's a real mess, the future is bleak. It's dark outside, cold inside and the roof is spinning and it's all down to you the reader. You and your black black thoughts summoning up the demons into the sugar bowl. Clouds in your pillowcase fart from your ears. Shambo shambo! We should never flip the pancakes, it's all coming from the radio anyway. Moses will bring it with his champagne chocolate sandals. Oh yes he will. Hallelujah sweet baby plankton.