Posted by Estella on September 11, 2006, at 2:55:39
In reply to internet and the manufacture of madness..., posted by Estella on September 11, 2006, at 1:06:07
It raises some interesting issues... But...
> Clinically, there is even sufficient evidence to wonder whether the Internet may be the nesting ground for a new kind of identity disturbance.
Doubtful...
> we may have reached a turning point in the history of psychiatry where consumer autonomy and the Internet are now powerful new forces in the manufacture of madness
He sounds a little social constructionist. I guess... he is. Actually... The social constructionists aren't really that bad. Szats, (or however you spell that) for example isn't so bad. He just takes a very narrow reading of the concept of 'disease' where a disease is a bodily matter. If psychiatric categories don't map onto brain disturbances then Szats would say they aren't real diseases. We could grant him that but say he is wrong because some (or all) psychiatric categories do map on to brain disturbances. Or we could say that disease is a broader category and thus there can be diseases that aren't disorders of the body.
What he does do... Is draw our attention to the abuses of psychiatry. Good on him for doing that. He also draws our attention to the medication bandwagon (driven by the drug companies). Good on him for that. Another thing he does... Is draw our attention to the social and psychological factors that are implicated. So... Good on him for that.
The article that I linked to... I'm not sure that it is so good really. But it is kinda interesting, I guess. Mostly about consumer moderated 'pro' disorder sites. Where people encourage each other along in their sickness. We don't do that - do we? Where you need to have your sickness to remain part of the in group. We don't do that - do we?
There does seem to be some paranoia about increased autonomy among psych patients, however.
And so what is the mistake we are making if we refuse to give up our dx? It isn't comperable to the mistake the f*cking diagnostician made - is it? It isn't a statement about how people with that dx actually CAN and DO improve - is it?
Sheesh...
And the commentaries... Aren't much better IMO. (Where do they find these people?????)
poster:Estella
thread:684913
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060901/msgs/684928.html