Maybe it's the docs mostly,they can easily slough off peoples more time consuming to DX physical problems, by saying, "I think you are suffering from depression, here is a script for Zoloft,Wellbutrin,Celexa,etc.", and there goes another person, most likely underdiagnosed for one thing and overdiagnosed/misdiagnosed.
Then if a GP is playing psychiatrist, his or her's lack of expertise in the field of psychiatry, leads to patient dosing and follow ups not precise as it most likely would if patient was seeing the right kind of doc.
Now, new issues come up, patient may still not feel better or even worse, symptoms mimicking "bipolar" behaviour when actually could have been induced from wrong medication(s) along with the wrong DX. This is a growing thing, and it's sad, I'm getting tired of "bipolar" being the new catch all, like ADD/ADHD was a few years ago.
Both disorders exist, they are real, but I think the label is being overused and misused, which in turn more meds become popular.
I have no answers to "why and where" all this is coming/growing from,but personally feel some,not all,is partially the blame of GPs misdiagnosing.
Makes sense, isn't it easier than taking the time and doing a "real" evaluation, ruling out physical issues,one for instance, hypo and hyper thyroidism (both common and yet, under or untreated)both having so many symptoms mimicking the behaviours of depression,mania,and/or hyperactivity.
I'm not taking pharmaceutical companie's sides, even though hubby works for one and I know a little more cause of that, but it's all business,if docs prescribe stuff and it works,the drug companies will make it and vice versa.
We do have to keep in mind,and I know for a fact for his company, a lot of research is put in the makings of medications,years spent for one drug alone,etc.
We all want good mental and physical health and many of us often need some sort of medication,unfortunately,but it's good to know there are ones available.
Yeah, I'm rambling here, I must say I'm tired of all the hype,advertisments,for bipolar meds and stuff making everyone think they are bipolar if they self-test or read all the hooplah.
Years ago I never remember seeing commercials for all these prescription meds.,I'm use to seeing them,but when they first started airing I thought it was cheezy, ha!ha!
I cannot stress enough, that people really need to have a true psychiatric evaluation by a real psychiatrist and then work with whatever the DX is, not some GP,or online self-tests suggest. I was DXed with Bipolar-II(mild) in 2000,before that my Internist would just always say my symptoms were of depression and stress,that all my labwork was fine, "take this pill,try that pill" so I never really was DXed properly till 2000, and it wasn't till 2006 that a physician's assistant found my thyroid nodules,sent me for ultrasound,it took 3 endocrinologists before I found one that listens,and works for you. The medication for the thyroid also helps reduce my depression, cause it "physically" is addressing my thryoid problem, that for too many years went untreated. I don't know if I am making any sense right now,but this post brought out something similar that runs around on my mind too.
Sky, wish I knew what to say, but don't know myself.
Thanks for allowing me to chime in,even vent a bit.
Just my own opinion, not intended to offend anyone.