Psychiatrists to brand grief lasting longer than two weeks a mental illness

news.com.au ^ | 22 Feb 13 | Clifford Fram

[Drew68]

THE grieving process is in danger of being branded a medical condition if a mourner feels sad for more than two weeks and consults a GP, according to an international authority on death and dying.

At present, mourners can feel sad for two months before being told they have a mental disorder, says Professor Dale Larson. Decades ago, a diagnosis could be made after a year.

In a keynote address at an Australian Psychological Society conference in Melbourne on Saturday, Prof Larson will express his anger about the American Psychiatric Association's new diagnostic manual, DSM 5, which is used in many countries including Australia and New Zealand.

The manual, to be published in May, allows a diagnosis of depression after two weeks of grieving.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Your mother died. GET OVER IT!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Now why on earth would American psychiatrists wish to see more people classified with mental disorders? Hmm... I can think of a few reasons.

Your guns. Give them to me.

[Fzob]

To cast such a broad net is just stupidity and ignorance

Pretty ironic.

[Smokin' Joe]

Their position is NONSENSE!

Not to someone incapable of genuinely caring about another person.

Remember, liberals think caring and generosity involves taking your money and giving it to someone else.

[piytar]

but one can't paint every counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist with the same brush

Of course not. And I NEVER derided the value of good counseling. I just stood up for G Larry's post that faith in God and praying were valid ways to deal with grief. The rest has been projection by CodeToad. Apparently to him, the idea that you can seek comfort in God means you hate counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist. I never said that. I did note the getting medicated into a stupor as opposed to dealing with grief may not be a good thing (in so many words). Apparently that makes me a religious nutcase.

To be blunt, that level of projection and anger scares me and requires professional counseling.

PS Your posts have been very insightful and informative. Thank you for sharing you professional experience.

[Smokin' Joe]

“You are aware that psychiatric disorders exist and that psychiatrists are necessary to help assist those who are mentally ill?”

You are aware that this is just BS to ban people from owning guns?

I'd be far more wary of those who feel no grief. They are often disconnected, and the emotionless seldom have remorse. Nice qualification for a serial killer.

[Smokin' Joe]

To allow strangers to label people on “soft” science is evil. Most psychiatry is bogus-—many psychiatrists are mentally ill and is why they go into the business.

Of all the Psych majors I met in college, the vast majority said they went into Psych 'to sort out their head'. Only two seemed relatively normal, as people go.

[Smokin' Joe]

I recall thinking that, aren't you supposed to be sad when one of your parents die?

I thought, too, when kids from the subsidized housing areas in town started being labelled as "depressed", that a kid from the projects who can't afford a lot of gee whiz stuff other kids have and doesn't have the best family/living arrangements should be a little bummed from time to time.

That's the incentive to bust your keester to better your lot, but instead they're medicated.

What they need is some advice--study, work hard, and get out of the crab basket.You'll feel better when you do better.

[Smokin' Joe]

...for these wackos to declare that everyone should be past the grieving stage in two weeks shows just how far out of touch they are with reality.

And the people around them. For those who are supposed to be so conversant with human nature, this reveals either a striking ignorance or a hidden agenda.

[Smokin' Joe]

I think I would wear ear muffs when I had to go to the grocery and I would never go in Walmart.

Foam ear plugs of the type common on construction sites are less conspicuous and reduce noise nicely. They are disposable and cheap, and you can keep a pair or two in your jacket pocket or glove box, just in case. (We use them a lot on oil rigs...)

[Marcella]

“Foam ear plugs of the type common on construction sites are less conspicuous and reduce noise nicely.”

Thanks for posting that - ear plugs would be the way to go.

[P.O.E.]

Guess it’s time to rewrite the history of BB King, Blind Lemon Jefferson, John Lee Hooker, Leadbelly, Billie Holliday, Muddy Waters. Heck, it’s good enough for Abe Lincoln, so why not? /s

[gonzo]

Bamp for later read ........................................................................................ FRegards

[yorkiemom]

There were 66 comments here so I read those before posting. I was a professional counselor/psychological examiner for over 20 yrs. and had a private practice. I was a conservative then, too. I also did grief counseling. ...

Wow – I am impressed with your memory! And how confidential not writing anything down made everything that your patients told you.

I am sure there are many excellent psychologists and psychiatrists out there, such as yourself. I have found that many psychologists that I meet tend to be liberal, so I never trusted their perspective as far as wanting to see them or recommend them. However, a conservative psychologist that seeks to help people to learn to help themselves within a few months is very refreshing to hear about!

I would imagine the majority of negative posts here either have to do with encountering a liberal or incompetent psychologist or psychiatrist - or probably has more to do with the recent increase of "disabled" people getting Social Security disability. I see it as a Big Government ploy to get more people dependent on the government, and therefore either more Democratic voters or less people that will complain when our rights are further infringed upon. The rules to get Social Security disability must have been relaxed because there's no logical way more people becoming disabled (with unemployment down, work related injuries would also be down).

And thank God for sensitive and loving yorkies!

[Marcella]

“Wow – I am impressed with your memory!”

You and I have had some Freepmails. I remember everything you have written including most of your words.

Now, I’m 79 and supposed to be totally forgetful - it hasn’t happened. I think my memory stays excellent because I use my mind every minute of the day. I also play computer games that requires my mind to make fast decisions.

[Darnright]

It’s a cold son-of-a-beotch that gets over grief two weeks after the death of a child, or of a spouse.

[yorkiemom]

You and I have had some Freepmails. I remember everything you have written including most of your words.

Darn - then when I repeat myself, I will be VERY annoying ;)

[greeneyes]

My mind was doing ok till oxygen deprevation took its toll. It’s getting better though. While my memory is not as good as usual, I am still pretty good at analysis. A few lists and notes help with the memory essentials.

I look forward to as many years as the good Lord gives me.

[GeronL]

When do I get a disability check??

[Marcella]

“My mind was doing ok till oxygen deprevation took its toll”

I have been thinking about you. Send me a Freepmail about your condition now.