Mental health experts ask: Will anyone be normal?

Reuters ^ | July 28, 2010 | Kate Kelland

[decimon]

LONDON (Reuters) – An updated edition of a mental health bible for doctors may include diagnoses for "disorders" such as toddler tantrums and binge eating, experts say, and could mean that soon no-one will be classed as normal.

Leading mental health experts gave a briefing on Tuesday to warn that a new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is being revised now for publication in 2013, could devalue the seriousness of mental illness and label almost everyone as having some kind of disorder.

Citing examples of new additions like "mild anxiety depression," "psychosis risk syndrome," and "temper dysregulation disorder," they said many people previously seen as perfectly healthy could in future be told they are ill.

"It's leaking into normality. It is shrinking the pool of what is normal to a puddle," said Til Wykes of the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London.

[goseminoles]

Yep. The panel for the DSM V includes Big Pharmacy folks. It is in there interest to include diagnoses that are “treatable” with their meds.

[Graybeard58]

Homosexuals and transgenders are considered normal these days.

There is nothing queerer than what they do.

[haroldeveryman]

The whole world is going to look like a Woody Allen movie.

[JimSEA]

A conspiracy to deny your right to own a gun? Sounds to me like you are just a bit paranoid.

[Blue Collar Christian]

“I’m normal...just ask me.”

I don’t think so.

I’m the only normal person I know.

[BenLurkin]

Normal?

Sure...these guys...

[Rodamala]

Paranoia... what drug do you prescribe for that, Doc?

[Let's Roll]

Of course not, how can they have a ‘growth industry’ unless everyone needs their services.