Mental Illness

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Posted by Deborah (65.218.13.162) on 15:23:58 20/06/05

I quite agree that there is something amiss when 50% of Americans can expect to be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives. I m not so sure, however, that the source of the problem is the way we define mental illness, or that psychiatric caregivers today are misdiagnosing the ordinariness of the human condition as pathology. I think the symptoms are real, the condition debilitating, the sense of despair and hopelessness a true reflection of our times. But the problem, I believe, springs from a soul sick culture that stubbornly clings to its rights over its responsibilities, belligerent individuality over the common good of family and community, and the insatiable need for more money, stuff, sex, power, youth, beauty, fame, and everything else.

Our modern culture does not allow us time to be human. We expect children to sit quietly in a classroom all day--and when they can t, we give them Ritalin. We expect teenagers to be gregarious and fun-loving--a

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Comments:	: I quite agree that there is something amiss when 50% of Americans can expect to be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives. I m not so sure, however, that the source of the problem is the way we define mental illness, or that psychiatric caregivers today are misdiagnosing the ordinariness of the human condition as pathology. I think the symptoms are real, the condition debilitating, the sense of despair and hopelessness a true reflection of our times. But the problem, I believe, springs from a soul sick culture that stubbornly clings to its rights over its responsibilities, belligerent individuality over the common good of family and community, and the insatiable need for more money, stuff, sex, power, youth, beauty, fame, and everything else. : : Our modern culture does not allow us time to be human. We expect children to sit quietly in a classroom all day--and when they can t, we give them Ritalin. We expect teenagers to be gregarious and fun-loving--a
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Dr. Carl A. Hammerschlag, M.D., CPAE, psychiatrist and author, is a professional keynote and motivational speaker. He speaks on a variety of topics including healthcare, mind body and spirit, health and wellness, mental healing and leadership. He has delivered motivational and keynote speaches to corporate and business clients around the world.