So I'm reading a magazine

And I find this Letter to the Editor.

I quote:

"Why is there a trend to label changes in our human predicament as a disorder - the inclination being a psychiatric disorder. Children who are disinclined to pay attention are labelled with Attention Deficit Disorder and people experiencing down times are said to have brain chemical imbalances.

Drug companies push these disorders to fund themselves while people are subjected to propaganda and become financial pawns.

Naturally getting past these issues, as they affect everyone, is NOT prioritised."

If you want to pull this pull this - but I guess I think it reflects much public opinion. Not fantastic, is it?

No one has an opinion?

yeah, comment. Already feeling like a world class screw up, articles like this just reinforce the idea

It was a letter to the editor. I just kinda of shrugged it off. But it reinforced for me how socially unacceptable stuff like this can be.

Oh, BS!! Some people are just ignorant! I know who *I* am! They (the world) can think whatever they want!

(snot nosed egotistical retentative turds)

fuzzy u are very expressive ..

but i think well ok no wonder i am scared to tell anyone at work, etc?

People say things like that because they don't know any better. You have to feel sorry for them really, they are ignorant. They can't understand how others struggle and so they reach for conspiricy theories. There is actually lots of positive and informative information out there regarding mental health and I think that there are more people who are understanding and interested in learning more than there are clods who wrote that letter to the editor. Folks write such letters because thats the only way they can get anyone's attention.

A person like that doesn't have any first hand knowledge of what it is like to have a relative, close friend or even themselves suffer from depression and so what do they know. If they had first hand experience then they would never even think it was something made up so drug companies could sell drugs.

In one aspect, I agree with the article: titles/labels of disorders ARE pushed upon people. I also think that it isn't only the drug companies but the insurance companies. Doctors have trouble being reimbursed unless they are treating a disorder as described by the insurance company.

We don't need to take offense to this small exerpt, imo. I think ADD/ ADHD is way over dx'd and that much of it is boredom because teachers don't know how to teach (in general.) And on the other hand, children are so habitually programmed now through hyper computer games, anything less than shocking fails to gain their attention.

Do we know if the diet of growth hormones also contribute to more mental unwellness? What about all the nitrites in the processed foods? Maybe the chemical system of human beings in general are changing. IDK.

I think it's a call to rethink labeling people, not saying problems don't exist.

I think you both make good points ... I guess I just wonder how many people out there really do think *that*.

It's like medicalizing PMS/PMT - should it really be in the DSM-IV as a mental disorder (I am not sure of its current status but I understand it was being 'considered').

Should something like that be made a physical illness or a mental one?

My point is that rather than allow society to stigmatize those with mental health issues, it is my responsibility (and yours, if you're brave enough to join me) to educate the ignorant. There is NOTHING to be ashamed of... NOTHING.

Speak out. Don't hide.

To my mind there is quite a gap between what is ideal (mental health issues being held to be as serious/'real' as physical problems) and what is realistic (if I said I am *insert mental health issue* what will I be sacrificing in terms of a career?)

You are probably further up the ladder in a different field, LMo. Or maybe you are just braver than me.

I know it seems a bit idealistic, but then again so was the concept of gay marriage 30 years ago. Or women holding executive positions 40 years ago. Or black people riding in the front of a bus 50 years ago. Or even women voting 100 years ago.

Believe me DSF - nothing could have convinced me to risk my career when I was in my 20's. I know what you're feeling because I used to be the same way. I ended up getting divorced over loyalty to my career over my family. I had a change of perspective after that, possibly has something to do with getting older as well, and having more confidence in myself. There is something about exuding confidence that causes people to rethink their tendency to stereotype. It was super liberating to realize that. DSF, I hope you don't think I'm picking on you. It's just that you, to me, seem like someone strong enough to make a HUGE difference in this area. I have a lot of faith in you - you are clearly very intelligent, articulate, outspoken, and know what you want out of life. A little more strength in the area of being true to yourself and not giving a hoot what other people think will take you further than you ever imagined you could go.

Weirdly enough, I just came across this article at the bottom of one of the forums:

going public

I haven't read it yet but plan to. Looks interesting.

I've been pretty open both at work and with my classmates about having mental health issues. I work as a mental health specialist and I'm in training to be a counselor. Sometimes it seems like the mental health field stigmatizes people with mental health issues worse than almost anybody, but I've actually found that it's been well-received when I tell people. The way you tell them makes a difference, I think. After demonstrating that I can do the work I'm doing, I might mention when something comes up that I have personal experience with that. So I'm using my experiences as something that I have learned from and I'm willing to share what I know. That's different from announcing it in a way that people might assume that they would have to pull my weight for me because of this, or I'm going to be needy and demanding, or something like that.

Don't forget all the antibiotics that are fed to the beef cattle we consume. I think that many people are sensitive to the chemicals/hormones/antibiotics that are found within our grocery store food supply. I have often wondered if the food we eat negatively impacts our health - both physically & mentally.

Insurance companies like to formulate and/or standardize treatments so that they can statistically estimate future costs etc. I agree that insurance companies really really want to code "customary and usual" treatment around every single visit to a health care provider. I think it is because they want to standardize everything so that they can manage cost - but sometimes I think they go too far and lose sight of the trees for the forest.. or something like that.

I don't know if ADHD is over identified or not. But I do know that schools gravitate towards that label because there is a magic pill that goes with that diagnosis.. which translates into "we don't have to deal with this behavior because medication will eliminate the behavior in the classroom". But what about the kids with annoying classroom behavior who are not ADHD and who do not have a magic pill that will make the behavior go away.

My son was a behavior challenge and there was and still isn't any medication that can "fix" or mask his symptoms. He has sensory integraion dysfunction, dyslexia, non-verbal learning disorder. My son is learning how to cope and manage his disabilities so that he can be all that he is capable of being. He has responded well to intervention strategies in the classroom that take into consideration his sensory system, his non-verbal learning issues, and the fact that he is dyslexic. I have, unfortunately, come into contact with some who have a very narrow opinion - very much like the person who wrote that letter to the editor. I have been told that behavior interventions within the classroom are ridiculus and are simply a way for bleeding heart liberals to excuse poorly parented bratts from behaving. I've been told that if only we could bring back corporal punishment within the schools.. you know, bring back the "good old days".. that would straighten out the little monsters. And if it didn't, then off to juvie for them. Or better yet, punish the parents for not doing a better job of disciplining ...

I try really hard to educate folks who say things like that. Sometimes, to my surprise, I am able to get the other person to consider a change of opinion. And I am glad when I can get another person to think a bit. I figure that the more those of us who have first hand knowledge that can speak out and try to educate the ignorant .. then perhaps as time goes by there will be more compassion out there in the world.

These issues are not made up. They are very real and many of us live with them every day. It is easy to say that there is an increase in autism only because it is being diagnosed more liberally and so there is no need to panic that there is an epidemic of autism out there. Until it is your child, your neice, nephew or grandchild who is diagnosed with autism. Then it is personal and you want research dollars to investigate because you know it is for real and not just an accounting trick within school districts to get more federal funding.

We have to stand up and speak out in the face of ignorance. Knowing that some will hear us and some will laugh at us. And some will retaliate or injure us, that is a fact. And so I say we have to stand up, but really only when we feel safe to do so. If your career is on the line.. it may not make sense to take a stand and share personal information in the hopes of educating someone. I try when it makes sense and am always thrilled when I've gotten someone to at least think about it. I am always impressed with folks who are so brave to share what they have personal experience with. I think they are very brave.

This is so true! I know I've been labeled just because I've been sexually abused, something that I'm not too thrilled about.

Just because a person goes through something terrible doesn't mean they have some psychiatric disorder, IMO.

wow ... great posting Peanuts and Lex ...

For what it's worth I agree with you on the things we consume. I have been buying cleaning products for a wee while that are natural rather than chemical-based. We have a manufacturer called Eco-Store that is plant-based. My bathroom cleaner is a citrus-based naturally antibacterial product, and my dishwashing liquid is plant-based and cleans my wine glasses quite beautifully thank you .. I just got given some samples of the dishwasher and laundry products in the supermarket today, so i am going to try them ...

I think some people are diagnosed with disorders they don't have. But I also think a large number of members of society think mental disorders are really just behavioral problems. To this day, my mom will say that I "have problems," and that she understands that, but will turn right around and say I "acted up" and "gave her problems" when I was young. I see myself as having been a very good child, disregarding my mental health issues. I didn't take drugs, get into trouble with the law, run away, etc. I disobeyed some orders, like when my parents wanted to travel to some places, not out of defiance, but out of terror. I was scared to death of my panic attacks, and going too far (which wasn't always far in a "normal" person's mind), and it frustrates me and makes me want to cry, because to this day, people think I was misbehaving. They want me to act "reasonable" when I'm in the middle of a panic attack. When you're in the middle of a panic attack, all you think about is survival and stopping the attack, even if logically, you're not in any real danger. I couldn't help it, but nobody gives a damn.

And now, I don't know how to explain my OCD issues or where to begin, and what my rights are in terms of OCD, with the apartment (see my post, "Mentally Disabled Persons and Apartments"), and I'm scared. Because people don't understand. No, I don't have the right to keep the place messy--and I don't want to--but I don't live alone, so I don't control everything myself, and so I need my boyfriend to do his part. I feel alone, helpless, and like someone's going to force me to do something I can't deal with.

People think we're making up these illnesses. How many of us have lost out on so much of our dreams and just living normally, because of our illnesses? Yeah, we're making it up, because we're lazy and don't have any ambition. I want my dreams and feel so angry and embittered because I don't have them, and probably never will.

If I were normal, I'd probably have a house by now. And the ironic thing is, if I had my own home, I wouldn't have to worry about someone coming in and forcing me into things I can't handle.

I hear ya Maven. Unfortunately, although I empathize, I have nothing else constructive to offer. I agree with you but I don't know what to suggest that would help.

As far as the attitudes of those such as the letter writer, I agree it sucks, but attitudes are gradually changing as understanding slowly dawns on the general public.