Psychiatry has long been a polarizing industry. Not so much because it isn’t legitimate at best, but because it’s highly subjective, to say the least. The latest research on the industry out of the University of Liverpool published in the scientific journal Psychiatry Research is potentially the most damning of the industry as it’s generally configured to date. In a comprehensive study of diagnosed bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders the conclusive statement from researchers was that "Although diagnostic labels create the illusion of an explanation they are scientifically meaningless".
In other words, these categories for disorders are artificial and used as a mechanism to provide a “solution” to issues that are often treated by the industry and often times with a combination of consultation and medicine. Without a doubt the industry will reject this notion but plenty in the study was compelling and the motivation by the industry for diagnosis and treatment is evident if you accept the research findings. Lifetime customers.
The lead author said that literally no two people are alike and it’s an oversimplification to diagnose, categorize and similarly treat the masses. He called these “conditions” a disingenuous categorical system. Reviewing this study reminded me of research I reviewed years ago pertaining to the proliferation of autism diagnosis. You may recall around a decade ago there was an explosion of diagnosis of autism cases. This was what led to the proliferation of many conspiracy theories that still are at issue today, including the anti-vaccine movement. When I dug into the research, I didn’t find anything meaningful that had changed with us. It was a change in what became the expanded autism industry.
The “spectrum” of what was considered autistic had been radically expanded to the point that most of us wonder if we looked hard enough. But the motivation was clear. More people landing on the “spectrum”, more money, more attention, more influence politically and otherwise. Not to mention next to no one would have the audacity to question the motivations of those who’re simply trying to help those with autism.
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