The words “mental illness” have become a code for people who don’t want to think or analyze. They chirp “mental illness” whenever reality baffles them as if these words actually explained anything instead of being first a means of social control and then a way for pharmaceutical companies to make piles of money.
There is no mental illness that just happens for no reason. It doesn’t exist. What does exist is the following:
a) a society that finds it impossible to accept difference and that prefers to pathologize it and medicate the non-conformist into oblivion;
b) psychiatrists who have no skills and can do nothing but follow this social mandate;
c) people who hand over the responsibility for their personal growth to a bunch of pills;
d) pharmaceutical companies that make out like bandits and keep promoting the “mental illness” meme.
The more wide-spread this meme is in a given society, the more infantilized that society is.
I know that many people have come to experience a profound emotional attachment to the pharmaceutical ads and the idea that there is no mental illness will make them angry. This only testifies to the power of such advertisement that prevents people from noticing the enormous liberating potential of the idea that there is no mental illness.
That is their right, of course. What really entertains me, though, are the earnest Liberals who have come to convince themselves that recognizing mental illness and respecting it as an identity-building construct is somehow a progressive act. It is especially hilarious to see them defend the mental illness label in the same breath as they condemn predatory capitalism.
I am skeptical that mental illness does not exist at all, but I believe that it is rare, and it is almost always best treated without drugs. The use of psycho-active drugs is just pure laziness on the part of psychaitrists.
” it is rare, and it is almost always best treated without drugs”
- Just like any illness, I believe.
” The use of psycho-active drugs is just pure laziness on the part of psychitrists.”
- Exactly. It’s easy and the patient is soon zombified to a socially acceptable state. I’m horrified how often this happens and to completely normal people who have absolutely no need of any medication.
What about say bipolar disorder and schizophrenia? There are people with real diseases that can benefit enormously from drugs. I understand most people throw around the term ‘mentally ill’ to talk about depressed people or people who commit atrocities but I think it’s silly to pretend that no psychiatric diseases exist.
“There are people with real diseases that can benefit enormously from drugs.”
??? There are no drugs that cure these mental states. There are drugs that make them less noticeable to others at the cost of severe side effects to the patients, that’s all. This is precisely what I’ve been talking about when I mentioned social control.
I think even what is called ‘schizophrenia’ can have it’s origins in early psychological trauma. I believe Theo Dorpat provides an example where he treated such a patient who improved under his supervision.
There is also evidence that schizophrenics without who are released from psych facilities do better if they are alone in the world than those who return to their families. The co-dependence aggravates their condition.
I see. There is a really good journal article that seems to relate to extreme cases like schizophrenia:
Godwin, Robert W 1991. Wilfred Bion and David Bohm: Toward a Quantum Metapsychology. . Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Thought 14 (4):625-654
Very interesting. Thank you, I will definitely look at the article.
Evidence suggests that mental illnesses exist. Severe forms of autism, bipolar disease, schitzophrenia are three examples. Now these illnesses may be incurable. That is why drugs may be used. If the symptoms are not suppressed, such people cannot function at all. In some cases they may harm others. It is ludicrous to suppose that psycho-analysis can deal with all such illnesses. Moreover, if the individuals are not well–covered by insurance such treatments are prohibitively expensive.
You are not trained in these matters so it is presumptuous of you to pass such categorical judgments. Each person to his own last.
“It is ludicrous to suppose that psycho-analysis can deal with all such illnesses.”
- It can if the patient is willing. And if the patient is not willing, medicating him or her against their will is a method of social control.
“Moreover, if the individuals are not well–covered by insurance such treatments are prohibitively expensive.”
- No insurance covers psychoanalysis precisely because pill-pushers will never allow it.
“You are not trained in these matters so it is presumptuous of you to pass such categorical judgments”
- I don’t believe in abdicating the power over one’s own life to others. My opinion should exist alongside the very vocal opinions of pill-pushers. Then everybody can listen to a plurality of opinions and decide what works for them.
The fact that drugs to treat mental illnesses are
(a) not very good at the moment and
(b) over-prescribed
does not mean that ‘There is no mental illness that just happens for no reason. It doesn’t exist.’ We can have illness in other parts of our bodies, so why not in the brain?
“We can have illness in other parts of our bodies, so why not in the brain?”
- I said “‘There is no mental illness that just happens for no reason.” An illness that happens for no reason is non-existent in both the mind and the body. Just like with a physical illness, say, a common cold, you can either find out why you keep getting colds and remove the reason or keep getting colds and mitigate the symptoms by gulping pills. That’s everybody’s own choice.
I’d say that like every illness, there must be a combination of genetic factors and environmental factors that produce the particular illness, so rarely just one or the other, unless the case is extreme. I believe studies show that those who develop schizophrenia have a much better prognosis if they are in the developing world.
Awesome post. Just awesome. Yes, some people have problems, fractured psyches, due to stress, but that is not at all the same as catching the ‘flu or succumbing to cancer. The model of mental illness is just wrong, when it is understood in this sense, that is according to common sense.
I have been reading Ira Brenner about split personalities, recently. Interesting.
Thank you.
Amazing that you willing moved in to that home(culture).
Loved reading this post, and agree with your points here, especially (a) and (c). Also, mental illness is a great way for government to outsource society’s problems. See here: http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2010/11/the_terrible_awful_truth_about_1.html
“Do you want riots in the streets? How much does it cost to prevent LA (your choice) from catching fire? Answer: $600/month/person, plus Medicaid. Medicalizing social problems has the additional benefit of rendering society not responsible for those social ills. If it’s a disease, it’s nobody’s fault. Yay empiricism.”
“The rise of psychiatry parallels the rise of poverty in industrialized societies…
… It is the government’s last resort to a social problem it may or may not have created, whatever, but has absolutely no other way of dealing with.”
And now I remember why I like the LP.
Great post even though I am not sure that a illness cannot be a partially psychologically-caused state.
Those who do not appreciate this post should read this carefully:
“There is no mental illness THAT JUST HAPPENS FOR NO (you could add non-physical” REASON. It doesn’t exist.”
Thank you, David. People tend to see what they want to see, so it’s no wonder that so many folks only saw the part of the phrase they found convenient.
To be fair, you titled the post “Mental illness does not exist” (with no qualifiers), and make repeated mentions in the penultimate paragraph of “the idea that there is no mental illness” (again, with no qualifiers).
I appear to have misunderstood what you intended by ‘a reason’ in the sentence that David quotes. Given the context of the post and your anti-pharmaceutical stance, I interpreted your ‘reasons’ as excluding biological causes such as a genetic predisposition towards neurotransmitter imbalances, or the degeneration of neurotransmitter systems that accompany certain diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease). My apologies if this was an incorrect interpretation.
In general, I agree with Musteryou about mental illness being the result of both genetic and environmental/experience factors. Treating/understanding the latter is therefore very important, so on this I think we agree.
From a biological standpoint, the neurotransmitter systems involved are normally finely tuned and currently not very well understood, so to treat maladjustments in these circuits by flooding the whole system with a drug is rather like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. But if these treatments could be refined so they worked only on particular subcircuits, then I think they could truly help some patients. Just out of interest, what would be your view on the use of deep brain stimulation to treat, say, severe depression?
“To be fair, you titled the post “Mental illness does not exist” (with no qualifiers), and make repeated mentions in the penultimate paragraph of “the idea that there is no mental illness” (again, with no qualifiers).”
- Titles of blog posts are routinely shortened for formatting purposes.
“Just out of interest, what would be your view on the use of deep brain stimulation to treat, say, severe depression?”
- Complete insanity. Why mess with a person’s brain when any analyst will reformat the sufferer’s tragic vision of the self within five sessions with absolutely no side effects?
Of course, this presupposes a patient who is ready to let go of the depression as an identity-forming practice and a way of relating to others. Then there is the issue of the co-dependents who will also dislike letting go of this structure.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:xHXF4Y4ak4EJ:www.madinamerica.com/2012/02/why-anti-authoritarians-are-diagnosed-as-mentally-ill/+&cd=1&hl=fr&ct=clnk&gl=ca
http://socialmemorycomplex.net/2013/01/30/depression-is-the-healthy-response/
God, what people will not do to keep wallowing in their problems and martyrizing everybody around.
This proves my theory that people who wallow in depression value it as an identity-forming and abusive devise. (In the spirit of fully disclosure: I used to be one of these folks. But at least I had the decency not to live with anybody at that stage. Those who wallow while living with human beings are abusive jerks who need to be dumped forthwith.)
Hohumdiddlidum. Being against authorities can also produce euphoria, supposing one handles one’s rebellion well. I take Georges Bataille and Marechera as examples. There will always be authorities, that’s the case. The point is, As Nietzsche might say, “Are you ‘against authorities’? If so, show me your RIGHT to go against authorities! Are you a new strength and a new right? A first motion? A self-rolling wheel? Can you even compel the stars to revolve around you?
Alas! there is so much lusting for loftiness! There are so many convulsions of the ambitious! Show me that you are not a lusting and ambitious one!
Alas! there are so many great thoughts that do nothing more than the bellows: they inflate, and make emptier than ever.
Free, do you call yourself? Then I would hear your ruling thought, and not merely that you have escaped from a yoke.
Are you one of those who had the right to escape from a yoke? Many a one has cast away his last worth when he has cast away his servitude.
Free from what? What does that matter to Zarathustra! But your fiery eyes should tell me: free for what?
Can you give yourself your own evil and good, and set up your own will as a law over you? Can you be judge for yourself, and avenger of your law?
Terrible is it to be alone with the judge and avenger of one’s own law. Thus is a star thrown into the void, and into the icy breath of solitude. “
http://theviewfromhell.blogspot.ca/2008/08/what-dsm-ii-got-right.html
The label of mental illness, the “existence” of this idea, the attachment of this belief must be present in order for people to get the help they need. The proper help they deserve. Friends and family don’t want to do it. They have problems of their own. People want to get paid to help others. Insurance has to have a way of coding it and providing reimbursement. Doctors with medical licenses have to be able to give a diagnosis to provide this code. Free clinics or services that offer a sliding scale have to be able to receive donations and money from the government in order to thrive and provide these services. Good professionals have to be able to use a method under these labels in order to tailor an approach with existing established treatments (which also exist because of this label). But it has become distorted so that big pharma and doctors can prey on the troubled. To make more and more money. Because that’s what they care about. That’s it. Nevermind that drugs are not the answer. Drugs are never the answer.
I completely disagree with you and find some of the things you’ve said quite offensive. I have suffered from Bipolar Disorder for many years. Bipolar, like Major Depression and Schizophrenia IS a biological and chemical disorder that can be measured through activity in the brain. One of the defining factors in diagnosing a mental illness is working out whether or not it causes the patient distress or will have a negative effect on society. In my case my disorder caused me great distress at times and that is why I decided to try medication. Medication is not an exact science and thus requires a lengthy trial period. It took me 2 years of going on and off, but I finally found a cocktail that worked well for me. That, along with regular maintenance therapy, a healthy diet and regular exercise has helped tremendously. If I did not have this mixture of drugs and therapy I would most likely be in a hospital ward. Would you tell a cancer patient that they weren’t sick and did not need medication? Or a Diabetic?
I have Bipolar Disorder and without the help of drugs I would probably be in a hospital ward right now. I think a statement such as, ‘Mental illness does not exist’ is an extremely dangerous one, especially when conversing with someone who has an illness. These people are confused and distressed enough without people telling them they aren’t sick. The fact is, there are neurological illnesses and disorders that effect patients on a biological level. Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder and Major Depression are all passed down through Genetic indicators. They have a serious effect on the function of the amygdala, which controls emotional memory and thought. Bipolar is a life long illness. It has caused me severe distress in the past and I made a conscious decision to take drugs. The drugs have worked and I can live a much happier and fulfilling existence.
Good to see someone with life experience wade into this ill-informed mess of an article. Like you Simcha, I have mental illness manifesting as severe anxiety attacks. This time last year I was on a hospital ward after a suicide attempt. Sadly, because of a waiting list for services, I had to wait to get counselling therapy. In that time I needed medication to manage my anxiety. Sadly when I decided to stop my medication I was found close to death after an overdose. The medication kept me functioning until I could get access to speaking therapy. Even now I do have to rely on Beta Blockers to manage my anxiety.
So Clarissa, thanks for spreading the stigma that the use of medication is simply for the weak willed. In the UK suicides are on the increase because people do not get the help they need. Your way of thinking is not just ill informed, but down right dangerous.
It’s really enlightening to see the insistence with which the immature defend their right never to grow up.
It’s not about being weak willed or strong willed. In my view, it may well be about having the time and perhaps the good fortune (enough resourses) to address the source of the issue. This can take a lot of time and energy. Easier to dose up on a drug.
Crises certainly will occur if one has faced some traumatic situations and it out of touch with oneself. But very few people are genuinely “mad”; out of control.
One always has a choice: assume the responsibility for your personal growth or delegate it to a pill. You are absolutely right, the concept of a “strong / weak will” (which is nothing but the favorite mantra of masochists) has absolutely nothing to do with this.
The source of my issues are biological. They always have been. That is what a mental illness is. Anything else is considered a Disorder of Personality, but I’m not going to get into whether or not that is a problem or not. I do not know enough about it. What I do know is, medication and a routine lifestyle is imperative to my wellbeing. Simply talking through my problems with a therapist or receiving CBT will not help me, I have already tried it. In fact, I took medication as a last resort, because I was literally losing my mind and nothing else would work. So if you are going to write off mental illness you may as well write off all illness and go spit on a bunch of cancer patients.
I do believe that all illness is psychosomatic in nature. I also know 3 people who were diagnosed with terminal cancer respectively 22, 17 and 7 years ago and who addressed the disease through resolving their psychological problems. They are all alive and well today even though the doctors only gave them months to live.
I have to say that the unhinged and petulant tone of your comments offers proof for my contention that pill-guzzlers are all immature drama queens.
Obviously you suffer serious delusion yourself.
You’re spot on there. That’s like the time my mate lost his entire arm as a result of an office prank. We decided to bring in a spirit-healer and through the power of positive thought and will-power his entire arm grew back and it was even better than before. None of these stupid drugs or doctors had to get involved.
Are you suggesting that there is a pill that can regrow an arm? Or what is the point of this very idiotic comment?
The source of your issues are not only biological. You should admit that before beginning any treatments.
They are a biological and chemical imbalance.
Have you tried at least to ask the question of what makes you personally so unbalanced (to use your own terminology)?
Too right. My cat kept whinging about not being able to be a human because of biological problems. I made him realise that his problems were all in his head and then taught him how to get over those problems without drugs. He then transformed from a cat to a human with the power of his mind only. He then went on to release a string of world-wide hit music singles before converting to Islam.
You probably think you are cute, Bragina, but you make an impression of a very stupid, cruel person. We are discussing very serious issues here and you are being a total jerk about an issue that causes very real human suffering. You’ve got to be a cruel, heartless prick to blabber idiotically about cats when people are talking about mental illness.
Shame on you, you heartless freak.
I was born imbalanced. You see, these illnesses are genetic.
Here’s one to tackle: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/children-with-adhd_n_2807293.html?ir=Healthy+Living
It is this kind of magical thinking that creates mental health stigmas and belittle’s those who suffer from mental illness (or any illness for that case). Contrary to your belief, all illness is NOT psychosomatic. You may as well be saying you can cure AIDS through exposure to light and air or by doing some mystical dance.
I’m certain I did not state anywhere that all illnesses are psychosomatic. In fact, I did make a statement to the contrary on this very thread.
Buddy, relax, nobody is taking your pills away. You can keep guzzling them. And if you are older than 12, you might start getting used to the idea that nobody is obligated to applaud your choices all day long. You are a very immature, silly person whose entire worldview is limited by a pill. This makes you boring.
No sorry I hit the wrong reply button, it was directed at an above comment
Although I don’t think all illnesses are psychosomatic, I am very cautious about taking any drug, unless I absolutely have to. If I do so, I will miss the chance of correcting a psychological or lifestyle imbalance. I am lucky enough to have a very strong mental constitution, capable of great endurance and quite some adaptability. My physical constitution is a bit more dodgy, though so I have to work on it.
The problem with having a very strong mind is that I can impose tasks on myself that my body simply cannot handle. I need to be alert as to when I am doing this. Popping a pill would create a smokescreen that would prevent me from reading the reactions of my body accurately.
In my twenties I suffered terribly from a very poor immune system and fatigue. Some of this is constitutional — being indoors for eight hours a day, under air conditioning, does not agree with me. But there was more than this. I had suppressed a huge amount of rage that I felt about losing my homeland, along with my migration experiences. Also my father had been treated me like a female gender caricature, due to his own traumas. This filled me with rage.
I had no knowledge that I was extremely distressed and angry. I had repressed all of that and directed my hostility inwards. Consequently, I was putting a tremendous load on my body and it pretty much overheated and generally collapsed.
By understanding
1. That I was extremely enraged
2. That there were logical reasons for this anger, that I needed to acknowledge in order to understand myself.
3. That there is a link between mind and body
I was able to heal myself.
Of course, I still have some problems with being in unnatural, artificial environments. My whole being seems to rebel against being trapped indoors or in circumstances where my behavior is controlled by others. I have to avoid those situations, lest I direct my anger inwardly again.
I’m glad I took the old-fashioned way to self-understanding, though, even though it took a lot of time. I have really great relationships with people and a good knowledge of my world and what I want from life, which I would never have had if there had been some easy, medical solution to my problems.
If we think that no psychological cause is linked to any illness, we miss something in its treatment.