This post looks at the most serious psychiatric diagnoses ethical problems. An alternative way to look at the concerns that now lead to a psychiatric diagnosis is then presented, along with an explanation of how this alternative can be empowering. https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2016/03/06/the-ethics-of-psychiatric-diagnoses/

In 1961 psychiatrist Thomas Szasz published an article in the American Psychologist titled, “The Myth of Mental Illness. There he proposed that the set of experiences, behaviors, and thoughts viewed as “mental illness” are more aptly construed as “problems in living.” Was he right? https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2016/06/16/are-mental-illnesses-really-illnesses/

William James, one of America's most respected psychologist and philosopher, struggled himself with what he viewed as a mental disorder. As his experience developed, his viewed evolved in a manner that is worth considering today: https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2015/03/08/william-jamess-personal-bout-with-a-mental-disorder/

People often stigmatize people labeled mentally ill by blaming gun violence on them. Is that fair? https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2018/02/25/mental-illness-and-gun-violence/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2018/05/17/psychiatric-drugs-wonderful-revolution-or-ongoing-catastrophe/

Here is a free, psychological/social intelligence curriculum provided by a retired PhD level psychologist to provide access to all those who could not afford his services when he was working to earn a living. It teaches skills that help when dealing with many of the challenges that lead to a mental illness classification without pathologizing them: https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2012/03/07/introducing/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2014/11/24/crazy-mentally-ill-and-meshuga/

Hello i come from france and belgium and we have a big probleme with prescription of antidepressant and other drugs.. Weaning is not recognised and we would like to take legal action and bring it to parliament. Few groups exist in France and it is difficult to mobilize everyone. And this is where we need you: we have launched a petition so that the parliament can become aware of the scale of the problem. We need thousands of signatures and your group on reddit has 50,000 people. The text of the petition is below in English and translated. I implore you to help us by sending a general message to members so that they can sign and if they wish send their stories to the mailbox mentioned in the petition. Can you help us? http://www.leslignesbougent.org/petitions/victimes-de-drogues-psychiatriques-irss-irsn-neuroleptiques-benzo-portons-leurs-voix-au-parlement-19119/

For more than 40 years, in France and around the world, psychiatric drugs have destroyed tens of thousands of people and their families.

Not only do these drugs cause serious side effects (dyskinesia (these are abnormal movements of the head and facial muscles; irreversible), tremor, pain, severe memory loss, apathy, persistent sexual disorder, anhedonia (total lack of pleasure), suicide.) But they lead to severe dependence, which very often makes weaning impossible. These victims sometimes have to endure for years, a heavy withdrawal whose symptoms are variable leading to severe disabilities and disability.

These victims are not recognised by the medical profession, whose pharmacological knowledge comes mainly from pharmaceutical companies whose long-term studies do not exceed three months.

These victims have been prescribed drugs for years and even decades.

Many end up committing suicide. To protect themselves, the pharmaceutical companies have notified in the leaflets all the symptoms that these victims may experience. Recognition in court is therefore not possible. Moreover, establishing the causal link is extremely complicated and the expertise is time-consuming and costly. The majority of withdrawal symptoms cannot be objectified by examinations.

We ask that a thorough investigation and a letter be sent to every person and family who has been prescribed a psychiatric drug for 10 years in order to quantify the number of victims and the severity of the harm they have endured. We demand that pharmaceutical companies can be prosecuted for compensation to victims of adverse reactions and for prolonged withdrawals.

We ask that the costs of expert appraisals be borne by the social security.

We ask that for every prescription, informed consent be obtained from every patient.

We invite any family, victim, health professional to tell their story by mentioning your name, first name, date of birth and possibly honorific title to the following email address: victimedespsychotropes@gmail.com These stories will be sent to parliament so that parliamentarians become aware of this scandal and act accordingly.

We invite you to get closer to the following association: A C O P A V association for the control of psychotropic drugs and the assistance to victims.

Author: Anonymous

^(https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2016/10/06/are-mental-illnesses-really-genetic-diseases/)

In contemporary discourse, psychiatric labeling has emerged as a powerful tool for categorizing individuals, often in ways that reflect society's underlying tensions and power dynamics. The act of labeling can be understood not merely as a clinical necessity but as a societal impulse that fulfills deeper needs for control, conformity, and the maintenance of established norms.

The Power Imbalance of Labeling

At its core, psychiatric labeling reflects significant power imbalances within society. Those in positions of authority—be it through medical, institutional, or social frameworks—often wield the power to define not only what is considered "normal" or "abnormal", but whether or not checks and balances are need to assess and verify both claims and frameworks. This power is not just about diagnosing mental health conditions; it extends to creating categories that influence public perception and treatment of individuals labeled as "deviant." This dynamic reinforces a hierarchical structure where the labeled are often marginalized and subjected to discrimination, stigmatization, and exclusion.

In short, people that are perfectly healthy can be labeled as mentally ill utilizing today's and yester-years methods. "Because I say so" and "because I hold the pen" is considered greater than a specific requirement for claims of fault, issue, irrational disruption, disregulation, etc. Often arguments from authority or populum beliefs, along with a records of those arguments (not evidence) are all this is needed for diagnosis. This is not only scientifically unsound, but also creates a system that promotes finger pointing without evidence-based justifications other than "testimony".

The tendency to label individuals is also linked to societal needs for order and predictability. By categorizing behaviors and mental states, society can create a sense of familiarity that comforts the majority. Deviance disrupts this order, leading to an instinctual reaction to restore stability through labeling. This process serves to reinforce the familiar at the expense of the unfamiliar, as those who challenge mainstream beliefs or exhibit behaviors outside accepted norms are often seen as threats to societal cohesion.

The Role of Stereotyping and Familiarity

Stereotyping plays a crucial role in psychiatric labeling. Labels often come with preconceived notions about the behaviors, capabilities, and even the worth of individuals who bear them. These stereotypes not only simplify complex human experiences but also enforce existing societal beliefs about mental health. For instance, individuals diagnosed with certain disorders may be perceived as less competent or more dangerous, regardless of the nuances of their actual experiences. This reductionist view perpetuates a cycle where stereotypes dictate the treatment and opportunities available to those labeled as outsiders.

Moreover, society tends to gravitate towards familiar ideas and patterns, which contributes to the persistence of psychiatric labeling. When mainstream beliefs are rationally challenged—whether by new research, alternative therapeutic approaches, or personal narratives that diverge from the norm—society often reacts with resistance or hostility. This reaction can be seen as an attempt to protect established norms and, by extension, the social order itself. Those who present alternative perspectives or who embody experiences outside the accepted norm are frequently labeled in ways that discredit their views and reinforce their status as outsiders.

The Right to Lie and Dominance

An alarming aspect of psychiatric labeling is the underlying belief that some individuals possess a right to manipulate the truth, thereby dominating others. In this context, the act of labeling can be weaponized to delegitimize dissenting voices and to assert control over narratives. Those in power may label individuals as "mentally ill" not only to pathologize dissent but also to justify their dominance and maintain the status quo. This manipulation of truth underscores a profound ethical issue within psychiatric practice and societal response, as it reflects a willingness to impose harm on those who dare to question authority.

In conclusion, the phenomenon of psychiatric labeling is intricately connected to society's obsession with defining outsiders. It reflects deep-rooted power imbalances, the enforcement of stereotypes, and a collective resistance to challenge established beliefs. As we continue to navigate the complexities of mental health, it is essential to critically examine the implications of labeling practices and strive towards a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of human experience. By doing so, we may begin to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate marginalization and create a society that values diversity over conformity.

Have you ever had an unusual reaction after taking benzos? If so, I would really appreciate you taking the time to (anonymously) participate in my short survey! Thank you! https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpaEdPhEbemvXsW

In this post I want to try my hand at providing readers a more accessible, common sense understanding of the type of labels psychiatrists use when describing the various concerns people present to them. https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2023/04/03/mental-illness-as-distress-abnormality-and-dysfunction/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2015/02/17/are-mental-illnesses-really-potentially-helpful-tools/

Dear Fellow Readers, I am in need for a good psychiatrist who could treat severe Adult ADHD symptoms. I am not looking for a therapist/psychologist. I know medicine is not the preferred solution, but then again I know my symptoms and severity of it. It is taking a toll on my work efficiency and productivity apart from personal relationships. And googling could suggest me a few names, but that is not what I am looked for. If anyone has had a personal contact or experience with an efficient, open minded psychiatrist, please feel free to drop the details and I would be grateful for any help coming my way through this platform. Help a friend ? Thank you :’) Location: Bangalore

A common misconception is that when someone displays intense anger or rage, that it is equivalent to a "mental breakdown".

This appears rooted in the Ad Iram fallacy, which equates all anger with inherent irrationality, which is not only logically incorrect, it muddles the water of what "breakdown" actually is meant to describe.

In mental health studies, a "breakdown" is a behavioral pattern in which an individual is so caught up in a singular irrational and incorrect thought-process that they fail in their ability to respond to any other necessary tasks (that they would otherwise would agree are a current higher priority). This results in a total "breakdown" of their capabilities.

People choosing to engaging in expressive anger, however, while maintaining a dedication to an ethical, moral or epistemic dilemmas, corrections or outrages is categorically not the same thing as a breakdown.

The problem is that society as a whole has made a giant push for such extreme collectivism and groupthink that many people insist that if someone is disturbing the peace or disrupting a demand/expectation while utilizing extreme expression (often matched to extreme cases of other's perpetual/dedicated dishonesty or negligence) that this is the same thing as a breakdown. Assumptions are often lauded at people expressing themselves, frequently tied to anchored belief that disruption must always be associated with irrationality; something often instilled in people through collective social and societal frameworks.

Unfortunately as the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and sometimes the only solution to draw attention to perpetual problems is via extreme expression.

It should be noted however that this acknowledgement is not meant to take a misunderstanding and suggest that these are the only reason for disruptive behaviors; there are other reasons people engage in extreme expression beyond breakdowns and protesting actions and expressions. People also engage in such behavior for manipulation purposes, but the actual topic, intentions and ethical justifications have to be taken into account when addressing such behaviors.

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2023/09/12/a-kinder-approach-to-mental-health/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2017/06/04/is-suffering-a-symptom-of-mental-illness/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2023/05/03/the-mental-illness-concept-its-pros-and-cons/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2016/07/19/has-psychology-sold-out-to-psychiatry/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2019/03/23/william-jamess-experience-with-depression/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2023/05/21/disliking-the-mental-illness-label-a-psychiatric-survivors-perspective/

MbP, or as it’s now known ‘factitious disorder upon another’, is considered a rare form of child abuse, but it may not be as rare as it is thought to be.

Usually when a physician is duped into this by a crafty parent (usually a mother) it is a pediatrician. But have there been any cases where a psychiatrist is the duped doctor?

Psychiatry, as a unique specialty that is more opinion rather than data based seems particularly prone to attack in this regard.

Could it be that a high percentage of child psychiatrists are unknowingly part of an elaborate abuse mechanism by many well meaning families who are ‘just trying to help their out of control child’ when really there is an underlying unhealthy family dynamic that should be changed instead, but society doesn’t really know how to diagnose or treat that? So instead the child suffers?

Your thoughts please.

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2023/04/12/psychiatry-science-or-business-model/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2020/02/05/if-not-antipsychotics-then-what/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2015/11/11/is-depression-an-illness/

It is difficult to understand a field of study that contrary has to readjust the goal posts. Charcot and the classifications of Hysteria have done so much damage. How do we reconcile this?

(This is a painting I did after Brouillet’s, it is 9ft x 11 ft)

https://unexaminedglitch.com/f/iq-land-the-sorting-hat

When people seek to insult others, we commonly hear words like, “You’re mad,” “You’re crazy,” “You have a mental disorder,” and “You’re mentally ill.” Negative consequences often flow from such name calling. A discussion of Bob's show on madness is a fun way to clarify what this misleading notion is all about: https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2015/04/16/bob-dylan-on-madness/

https://www.frominsultstorespect.com/2020/02/16/seeking-to-reform-the-psychiatric-diagnosis-system/