Dsm's purpose is to label for the intent of making it easier to diagnose but the more I learn the more I think we are more complicated than a label. The bipolar diagnosis is particularly troubling to me.

Since the 1980s prescriptions in the us have been increasing at an astounding rate. Part of it is advertising. Some people say a shift happened after 9/11. Instead of going to the dr for advise they started going to the dr knowing what prescription they wanted. Advertising completely caters to this. The target of those ads is the consumer not the dr. Insurance has made it nearly impossible to see a patient for the amount of time necessary for a proper diagnosis. Often it is less than 30 min. They ask 20 questions and send them out the door with meds.