2006-12-06 16:45:48 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Because most people are not going to Psychologists, they are going to General practitioners because they are cheaper (or free). GPs say, "It seems like this" and gives out drugs. A very small amount of people are actually going to Psychologists for assessments. Half the people being treated for things (eg. depression) don't even have it.
Case and point: Kids being treated for ADHD
Another reason could be that people are coming forward with concerns of mental health because it is not a stigmatized as it was back in the olden days.
2006-12-06 16:49:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd say it has something to do with money and power. Some people need to 'diagnose' others with something to give their lives some semblace of meaning. People are 'overdiagnosed' with disorders WAY too much. The assumption that a therapist (or faux therapist like 'Dr. Phil.') can know how to solve a person's problems through one therapy visit is indeed laughable, but it doesn't stop stupid people from trying.
Usually it goes like this nowadays:
You: "I don't feel very good. I'm dep-"
Dr.: Before they hear anything else: "Have you considered going on medication?"
You: "Uh...?"
The problem is that Americans want everything. Fast food, fast jobs, fast sex, fast clothes and fast therapy. But some things you have to take your time with, and people don't understand it. You can't treat a person as an object of consumerism but it happens daily.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
2006-12-06 17:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it broadens the spectrum of treatment options that can be made available if one is led to believe they have a treatable mental illness or any illness for that matter. Look at all the drugs marketed on TV today. Capitalism at its finest. Note that there are no cures for anything, only treatment options.
2006-12-06 16:56:20 · answer #3 · answered by judypunch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the old days, mental illness wasn't taken seriously. It was just a "phase they going through; they'll grow out of it." Many people sensing they had a problem were ashamed to seek help because of the stigma attached to seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist.
2006-12-06 16:51:39 · answer #4 · answered by Clipper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe, back in Grandpa's day, there just wasn't the knowledge about mental illness that we have now. Unfortunately, I also think people today are looking for quick fixes to average problems; not saying there are not people who defiantly need treatment. And I'm sure F.D.A. has allot to do with it, as well.
2006-12-06 17:13:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My theory is those doctors like the money they get from "diagnosing" people. I'm sure I've got some form of OCD but I'm not indangering anyone and I live my life fine. I don't need to shove any pills down my gullet. Then again my step mom is pretty crazy, it's probably genetic.
2006-12-06 16:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by aimeeme_g 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pharmaceutical companies motivate doctors to describe something as a "disease" because once it is, then only a drug approved by the FDA can be allowed to "cure" it. Which is a lie, there are no cures, only maintanence drugs. There is nothing wrong with most of us, yet the majority of Americans are on prescription medications.....in doing so you create a huge population of weak, insecure people that are relying on something that pharmaceutical companies are making billions from. It's all about money, remember that.....that is ALL it is about. Money. be well, Jack
2006-12-06 16:50:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A combination of:
1. Far too much political correctness, resulting in a lot of stress when you have to constantly think about if what you are going to say will offend anyone, even one person, then you CAN'T SAY IT, OH MY GOD THEY'LL HATE ME PLEASE DEAR GOD NO... etc...
2. Far too many kids being diagnosed with ADHD when they really just need Sister Mary Discipline with the steel ruler to properly focus their attention.
2-A. Far too many lawsuits preventing Sister Mary Discipline from using aforementioned steel ruler.
3. Not nearly enough butt whoopins being distributed from parents.
2006-12-06 16:51:28 · answer #8 · answered by Mnementh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is because they can diagnose easily now...There were as many mental illnesses long ago too which could not be diagnosed....
2006-12-06 16:48:47 · answer #9 · answered by deevoonay 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because so many of us are. Infact i don't think there is one normal person on the planet. There are degrees of illness. Like in illness in the body, there is a mild cold and then there is pneumonia. Likewise in the mind there are illnesses.
We have better diagnois tolls, we are also more awear of our mind and its destres and well being.
Another reason just might be, that the world just keeps getting more insane. And so do the people in it.
2006-12-06 16:49:42 · answer #10 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋