I get the impression that there are a lot more troubled people today than there were 50 years ago. Things like "bi polar" then were unheard of. What's causing this epidemic?
Are more people becoming "unhinged" today?
- Thread starter JLM
- Start date
Information, diagnosis, acceptance and a more informed mental health community.
50 years ago, "crazy" people just got locked up under terms like "Dementia", and all manner of blanket or general misdiagnosed terminology.
Take PTSD, it was once called "shell shock" or cowardice.
I don't think we're seeing more of it per say, what I think we're seeing, is people being properly diagnosed and actually seeking help.
Yep, no doubt that accounts for a lot of it. In the old days every community had its "weirdos" and that was probably the "official" description. Do you think they are committing more violence and mayhem today?
Nice convo JLM and Bear
You both have locked onto the primary reasons most people are aware of mental health and problems associated with it - although our "norms" continue to change both with acceptance and rejection. I think there may be more awareness of the mentally challenged than an increase in the number ratio to population.
There are more medications available to the seriously ill, more understanding, and for those temporarily impaired due to life's little "glitches" there are remedies to help us through them.
I see a huge change since I became an adult and more people who would have in earlier times been regarded as "odd" or kept indoors within the family unit are now leading productive and reasonably happy lives.
Oh yes we have a new mental illness category - that of news dissemination both print and electronic - it has opened up a career for many skittering along the borders of instability....whereas before it belonged to politicians, the wealthy, and the monarchy exclusively.
Then there are also forums to keep us levelled out or "put in our places"!
I think the ratio is about the same however there are more people being diagnosed correctly and allowed into the public arena where before they were "kept at home" out of view. The major illnesses are still passed along the same as physical illness - my family has a schizophrenic "contributor" about three generations away and while one or two develop the disease, it has never become the horrendous illness it used to be and the mental health community have made good strides in treatments.
There are more neurotics however but it has become an "acceptable" problem and definitely treatable and curable - the difference being we are more exposed to the neurotic frantic syndrome than in earlier times.
Even though we visit the moon we still have madness.
You both have locked onto the primary reasons most people are aware of mental health and problems associated with it - although our "norms" continue to change both with acceptance and rejection. I think there may be more awareness of the mentally challenged than an increase in the number ratio to population.
There are more medications available to the seriously ill, more understanding, and for those temporarily impaired due to life's little "glitches" there are remedies to help us through them.
I see a huge change since I became an adult and more people who would have in earlier times been regarded as "odd" or kept indoors within the family unit are now leading productive and reasonably happy lives.
Oh yes we have a new mental illness category - that of news dissemination both print and electronic - it has opened up a career for many skittering along the borders of instability....whereas before it belonged to politicians, the wealthy, and the monarchy exclusively.
Then there are also forums to keep us levelled out or "put in our places"!
I think the ratio is about the same however there are more people being diagnosed correctly and allowed into the public arena where before they were "kept at home" out of view. The major illnesses are still passed along the same as physical illness - my family has a schizophrenic "contributor" about three generations away and while one or two develop the disease, it has never become the horrendous illness it used to be and the mental health community have made good strides in treatments.
There are more neurotics however but it has become an "acceptable" problem and definitely treatable and curable - the difference being we are more exposed to the neurotic frantic syndrome than in earlier times.
Even though we visit the moon we still have madness.
Last edited:
People consider ADHD to be a major problem and in my opinion i dont consider it a personality disorder or a mental disorder. Apprently i have it BIG TIME, cant you tell?Just because one person has alot of energy just means they have a lot of energy.... No need to medicate us.... Ive also noticed alot of ADHDers complain how they try so very hard but just cant succed. Ill i have to say is if your bitching about it your obviously no trying hard enough. I think society has made them feel helpless...Hardin the **** up!!!! BTW the ADHD community hates my guts
My opinion,part of the problem is it's cool to be" troubled"now,my problem is bigger than your problem,I also blame Opra and uncle Phil,telling people that if you feel like this you must have that.then there's the fact that nobody wants to take responsibility for anything,it's all somebody elses fault,your momma was mean to you,you didn't have a red trike,I need help,gimmie some pills.
Now I'm not saying that there isn't people with real problems,but there is a hell of a lot with serious made up things like compulsive shopping disorder or sex addiction.
Now I'm not saying that there isn't people with real problems,but there is a hell of a lot with serious made up things like compulsive shopping disorder or sex addiction.
Bi-polar is a load of crap. Yes there are some who are truly bi-polar the rest are all just "good customers".
Everyone on the planet can easily be diagnosesd with a mental health problem because the diagnostic terminology is extremely vague.
Everyone on the planet can easily be diagnosesd with a mental health problem because the diagnostic terminology is extremely vague.
What's odd to me is society, medical professionals, victims and disabled have never been able to describe to me what is "mentally challenged" as they view our world.
I realize most of the severely afflicted are already under care and the rest of the borderlines are out pursuing "perfection" - trouble is the perfection is manufactured by dream merchants leaving us all to attain
impossible goals.
We have physical imperfections which don't affect us too badly - like a mole on our nose - or a bald pate - or bow legs - and it doesn't seem to affect our lives other than encouraging us to have a bit of a sense of humor -
This "mental illness" has been glamorized beyond reality and becomes an excuse for things we are just fine with but have learned to live and accommodate in our lives but feel a need to explain to others who don't understand - nor even care.
Know yourself well - be honest and fix what you choose to - and live with the other peculiarities - and mostly learn to love yourself with a sense of humor!
If something is getting you down in life - you can choose to repair it, change it or learn to accept it.
This does not apply to those who enjoy knife weilding and beating on little old ladies....
I realize most of the severely afflicted are already under care and the rest of the borderlines are out pursuing "perfection" - trouble is the perfection is manufactured by dream merchants leaving us all to attain
impossible goals.
We have physical imperfections which don't affect us too badly - like a mole on our nose - or a bald pate - or bow legs - and it doesn't seem to affect our lives other than encouraging us to have a bit of a sense of humor -
This "mental illness" has been glamorized beyond reality and becomes an excuse for things we are just fine with but have learned to live and accommodate in our lives but feel a need to explain to others who don't understand - nor even care.
Know yourself well - be honest and fix what you choose to - and live with the other peculiarities - and mostly learn to love yourself with a sense of humor!
If something is getting you down in life - you can choose to repair it, change it or learn to accept it.
This does not apply to those who enjoy knife weilding and beating on little old ladies....
Do you know anyone who is bi polar? I do. What it has done to my lovely young neice is change her from a super intelligent fully functional teenager (she was enrolled in medicine at U.B.C.) to a very fragile woman in her mid thirties now who occassionally has spells where the cops and the ambulance are called to haul her away in a strait jacket. Do a little research before you make inane sweeping statements.
Unfortunately there are no vids. The only video cameras in hospitals are the ones aimed at the staff parking lot to watch for theives and vandals. The rest are placebo cameras.
DSM-IV Criteria for Bipolar Disorder
The definitions given below are from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, 1994 (American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW, Suite 1101, Washington, DC 20005-2403 USA).
Bipolar I Disorder--Diagnostic Features (DSM-IV, p. 350)
The essential feature of Bipolar I Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes. Often individuals have also had one or more Major Depressive Episodes. Episodes of Substance-Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct effects of a medication, or other somatic treatments for depression, a drug of abuse, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In addition, the episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. . . .
Bipolar II Disorder--Diagnostic Features (DSM-IV, p. 359)
The essential feature of Bipolar II Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode. Hypomanic Episodes should not be confused with the several days of euthymia that may follow remission of a Major Depressive Episode. Episodes of Substance- Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct effects of a medication, or other somatic treatments for depression, a drug of abuse, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In addition, the episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. . . .
Criteria for Major Depressive Episode (DSM-IV, p. 327)
A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.
- depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.
markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)
significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.
insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)
- recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).
E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.
Criteria for Manic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 332)
A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).
B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
- inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
- excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
D. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
E. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatments) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Manic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder.
Criteria for Mixed Episode (DSM-IV, p. 335)
A. The criteria are met both for a Manic Episode and for a Major Depressive Episode (except for duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.
B. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
C. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Criteria for Hypomanic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 338)
A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood.
B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
- inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
- excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.
E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
F. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.
Yes, Bi-polar has become a catch all phrase with an staggering long list of symptoms and yes the majority of cases are just guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies. I helped set up our local mental health club house and was their PR guy for about 4 years. When they asked me to write a newsletter to educate the general public on mental health issues so as to remove the stigma surrounding mental health, I said sure, I'll just convince everybody they are crazy, then their would be no more stigma. The mental health workers took exception to me using that word but the "crazies" thought it was fine.
I start with the assumption that nobody is the same as the next guy. We are all different because our experiences in life colour our perceptions. There is no "normal" so I would like to know who is drawing lines in the sand to establish what is sane and what is insane. If we are all different, by mental health's definition, we are all insane. Yes some people are really mentally ill and need help. Most people at one time in their lives have their nervous breakdowns, but today, if you have a breakdown, you get labeled bi-polar. It is good business. But most people can be trained to recognize the triggers that set them off and can avoid deep sessions of dementia, depression, etc., but no, we have no money for therapy, we just pump them full of drugs. Its a multi-billion dollar industry.
When we set up our clubhouse, it was done by the community and "consumers" had a say in how the place was operated. The Operations Committee consisted of mental health patients, family members and a couple of mental health workers. The clubhouse was open to anybody and everybody in the community. Since Mental Health took over the place, only people with diagnosed mental illnesses can be members and participate in most activities. They have successfully isolated these people and reinforced the stigma surrounding the issues.
Ya gotta love government. I say declare the BC legislature a loonie bin and put them all on Prozac. We have gone backwards to the days of "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest".
Over crowding in cities would be enough to unhinge most people. I am surprised, with all the pressure and stress people are under, that we haven't heard of people whose heads have spontaneously exploded. When I see scenes of the sidewalks of New York with all the masses of people rushing along we don't see heads exploding all over the place.