Cosmetic Psychopharmacology?
We read everywhere that psychotropics are over-prescribed. The DSM
guidelines have pathologized normal reactions and DSM-V promises to make
this even more so. For example, over 11% of children are now diagnosed
with Attention Deficit Disorder. Our friend, Dr. Mojtabai, tells us
that many patients who are given antidepressants by primary care doctors
don't have a psychiatric diagnosis, our colleague, Dr. Frances (and
many others) doesn't want normal symptoms of grief to be diagnosed as
major depression after 2 weeks of symptoms, and our readers have written
in saying that there are effective psychotherapeutic treatments for
schizophrenia.
Why the push to give so many people a diagnosis, and then a pill?
I'll venture some guesses here. These are only guesses:
~
Psychiatric disorders were previously under-diagnosed and with the
broadening of diagnostic categories, and the promise of relief, more
people go to the doctor seeking these diagnoses. In order to get a
diagnosis of ADD, you have to point out the symptoms to a doctor -- a
doctor doesn't just know that you can't concentrate, focus, and lose
things all the time (to name a few symptoms) and if you think this is
normal, you won't tell the doctor your problem. So greater public
awareness and desire for diagnoses and treatment.
~A desire to blame problems on biology and therefore not have to own them.
~Treatments
with fewer perceived side effects. Many peopl...
Source: Shrink Rap - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Dinah Source Type: blogs
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