What is the current “whether report?” Cloudy, with no letup in sight. The atmospheric conditions continue to create extreme demand, but markets cannot respond to the inflated bubble. More mental “crises” expected and “anxiety” epidemics likely.
A pecking order of scientific disciplines suggests that mental health is second to economics in successful outcomes. Despite the research in hundreds of Nobel prizes and the judgments of numerous PhD’s, solving the current inflation problem has been difficult. Mental health appears even more problematic and success cannot be easily seen compared to economic results such as stable prices at the grocer. The “crises” we hear about daily are inflated by social media and many would not pass a scientific diagnosis.
Official U.S. (the DSM) and Euro psychiatric handbooks can only “classify” the types of mental disorders — give them diagnostic names, some identical to everyday jargon like “anxiety” and “depression.” Categories can overlap. Scientific confirmation of “type” requires weeks of specific symptoms, which must be verified by trained professionals. But easy amateur and media migration into this complex area is now fashionable. The latter “resource” is somewhat understandable in light of trained professional care costing $100 to $250 per hour.
Egyptian undertakers discarded the brain. Today, great strides have been made in mapping it, but the brain currently defies complete understanding. Drugs used by doctors were often discovered by chance, rely heavily on judgment and may accidently revere course of treatment. They also have side effects which may discourage prescribed treatment, so the street user may figure he is just as good.
Popular daily news media releases are peppered with stories of “victims” and “crises” of mental health. How will “artificial intelligence” (AI) be blended into this broadcast? This unceasing activity is creating a demand-side bubble of “need” to which available medical doctors and PhD’s cannot respond. Media reports do not disclose how so many cases are discovered or defined. If I ask, “have you thought about (the word) suicide?,” the person, the group, the “world” of language users must say “yes.” Should we all call 999? What can come of baffling articles now telling us social media is causing loneliness and (unspoken) risk of cancer (equivalent to 15 cigarettes per day)?
A professional psychology study once advised that persons waiting long periods for appointments showed a marked degree of improvement through their own self assessment and then canceled appointments. Impossible with current social “standards?” Blaming society and others for every common childhood and adult obstacle weakens resolve and curiosity about the real world.
Mental illness is real, but it is not the same as mental health, or is that happiness? Stop fanning this runaway frenzy and add some grit to the diet.
GT Dill,
Battle Ground
