Why is Mental Illness on the Rise?
By thayes1106
@thayes1106 (156)
United States
August 5, 2008 10:01pm CST
Do you think that mental illness is on the rise or doctors are over-diagnosing? If mental illness is on the rise then why? Do you think it's because of how hard it is to get by everyday? Times are hard and people are breaking down. Sometimes I think that doctors are anxious to put a label on everyone. What do you think?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@NonaSaile (924)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
I think so too - that doctors seem anxious to put a label on everyone, or on every behavior that veers out of what they deem as normal. I think that if mental illness is on the rise, it's more likely because population (including the number of doctors) is on the rise and the news/info gathering/dissemination is getting more high-tech and hectic.
@thayes1106 (156)
• United States
6 Aug 08
At the same time, I agree with both statements. I think people are more anxious to get help now than before. Before people were reluctant to see a psychiatrist. I do believe doctors are over prescribing meds. I say this not to discourage people from taking them. I still think that the times are so bad...unemployment, high prices that people are having lots of stress and anxiety!
@philjas (1134)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I don't think it's so much that doctors are overdiagnosing, I think it's more that people who really do have mental or emotional illness are actually getting the help they need because there's not as much of a stigma attached to going to a doctor or psychologist as there used to be. In other words, people are more likely to call a doctor about it and seek treatment than they were in the past.
On the other hand, doctors do like to give out Prozac like it's candy, the same way they gives kids Ritalin and diagnose them with ADHD. I think sometimes doctors feel that they aren't doing there job if somebody comes in and they don't prescribe SOMETHING. People get frustrated if there isn't a label put on their condition.
