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8 New Ways You Might Be Insane
Midnight snacker? Compulsive shopper? Bitter? The new edition of the mental health bible may classify you as having a psychological disorder.
The most controversial issue at last week’s annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco was the upcoming publication of the DSM-V, the revised edition of the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. The bible for the mental-health industry—originally published in 1952 and revised about once a decade—the DSM has been translated into 13 languages and is recognized around the world as the authoritative text on mental health.
Even though the APA asked the psychiatrists working on the manual’s revision to sign a nondisclosure agreement, leaked proposed additions to the new version have already stirred debate. “Psychiatrists manufacture mental diagnoses the way the Vatican manufactures saints,” says Dr. Thomas Szasz, an outspoken critic of modern psychiatry and author of Psychiatry: The Science of Lies. This view may be extreme, but some of the new “mental illnesses” under consideration for the new edition nonetheless sound a little…crazy. Here are eight you may already be suffering from, whether you knew it or not.
1. Binge-Eating Disorder
According to the Mayo Clinic, this is “a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food”—something Americans do with increasing frequency, if obesity statistics are to be believed. Someone suffering from this “may be deeply embarrassed about gorging and vow to stop,” but the compulsion is such “that you can't resist the urges.” Though the fat-acceptance movement might protest such an inclusion, it may nevertheless help Ben & Jerry’s addicts finagle insurance coverage for their problem.
2. Night-Eating Syndrome
Similar to Binge-Eating Disorder, this malady is characterized by a compulsion to raid the fridge—but is distinguished by the time it takes place: well past midnight. It affects 1.1%–1.5% of the general population, and people who suffer from it tend to eat at least a quarter of their daily calories in the middle of the night. Scientists believe Night-Eating Syndrome may be a pathway to obesity, partly because people who suffer from it tend to grab for calorie-laden comfort foods.
3. Internet Addiction
According to an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry, this is a disorder “that involves online and/or offline computer usage and consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and email/text messaging.” It has several components, including excessive use, which is “often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives”; withdrawal, which leads to “feelings of anger, tension, and/or depression when the computer is inaccessible”; tolerance, meaning “the need for better computer equipment, more software, or more hours of use”; and negative repercussions, “including arguments, lying, poor achievement, social isolation, and fatigue.”
4. Sex Addiction
What David Duchovny suffered from in Californication was actually included in previous editions of the DSM, but was dropped in 1994 (the year before Bill Clinton’s fling with an intern—right-wing conspiracy theorists take note). It is defined as “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used,” and may well reclaim its position as a full-blown disorder in the new version.
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Thank you for this, it is hysterical. You forgot to mention how many pages were in the first edition vs. todays. It has grown by leaps and bounds. Did they consider severe conservatism I wonder? Or is it already in there?
i think that would fall under "pathological bias." who knows -- someday we may see mahr and hannity sharing the same padded cell. ;)
I think most liberals have already been nailed in the DSM, and I prefer my own cell, thanks.
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so..., we're all crazy
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Oh, I think not. Just yesterday you were accusing people of insanity in regard to their thinking political. I'd say this is very appropriate.
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Right !
Typical conservative. Or liberal.
And you have no opinions on anything. Typical conservative.
i think the incentives of this are screwed up... they choose to recognize everything as a disorder, and thus people can afford to pay them for therapy through insurance. hmmm....
(and no, i don't have a better idea in mind.)
I agree deegeezee
Don't forget the rest of us who suffer from
listening to people making up "conditions"
to excuse their lack of personal responsibility.
It's called " H-A-H-C-O-S-T-F-U " SYNDROME.
As in . . .
Have - A - Hot - Cup - Of - Shut - The - F - Up.
I suspect #3 will be expanded by the next version to include Crackberrians, Facebookworms and the Twitterpated.
Is it too much to expect the author of this piece to have even a working knowledge of psychiatry and treatment. The phrase "But if the DSM-V has its way, there might soon be a pill to take care of that" reveals that the author is disqualified from participating in any serious discussion of this issue.
The DSM-V, like its predecessors, is merely a reference tool for diagnosis. If a disorder is causing problems in one's life, treatment would be indicated. There are many levels of treatment. One wouldn't expect to be medicated for a behavioral disorder. But in many cases, there is no help available without a proper diagnosis. Someone with an internet addiction might be in serious distress. Without a proper diagnosis, they may be denied proper treatment. This is just a way to catagorize and keep up with the times. People like the author mock what they don't understand, and assign nefarious reasons when none exist.
Take it easy Dr. Edin.....you don't have to be hip to the psychology game to logically deduce the influence of Pharmacology here.........restless leg syndrome any one? seriously though the more problems established the more pills you can sedate Americans with. Also the Internet as we know it is what...15 years old now? If an individual is "addicted" to texting, emailing Internet porn or what have you, then the diagnosis must encompass a broader spectrum than the tool used to express the actual disorder or illness. For example an individual who obsesses over counting compared to one who obsesses over spelling doesn't have a completely separate disorder, does he? There is a general diagnosis with specific variables...right? Gambling, sex food, drugs.....matters not, the instant gratification is satisfied, either way its an addiction.
I hope you don't think that Restless Leg Syndrome isn't a true physiological disorder because it is--and also can be treated pharmacologically. That rather reduces the validity of whatever else you might have to say.
Hey!
I've had four episodes of restless leg syndrome--the result of surgeries and medications--and let me tell you, it sucks!! I know it *sounds* hilarious, but trust me, it isn't. Have you ever had that thing where you're almost falling asleep, and then your body--for no apparent reason--gives a big jerk? Well, imagine that happening, every few seconds, in your legs, as you're trying to go to sleep. And anytime you creep anywhere near finally falling asleep, you're jerked awake again, for hours, and then days, on end. Now, that is crazy-making.
I was thinking the same thing. This author has a blatant bias based on what they've assumed the DSMV is trying to say, rather than actually reading the thing. I just don't see the problem with psychiatry or psychology helping people toward a better quality of life.
People commonly assert that being diagnosed with an "illness" or "syndrome" lets the affected person off the hook. Contrarily, being diagnosed is the first step toward fixing whatever is causing you distress. Instead of saying "oh, that's just how I am" they can say "Oh, this is a problem other people also have? There's even a name for it? Great, now how to we fix it?"
Oh goodness, I know eight people who fit these categories, and they are all me.
That is so so funny. Thanks for the good laugh, I needed it and also to know I am not alone. Actually, my therapist said to never admit to being crazy, so don't you either. Paid $125.00 for that advice.
A board certified psychiatrist I believe most of the DSM is designed to ensure therapist full employment by creating insurance reimbursable mental diseases out of normal variants of human behavior.
Yep - I used to just be a weird loner :-)
Bush Derangement Syndrome?
I'm not insane. Whatever happened to people just having harmless "quirks"? Now everyone needs therapy or pills for any little thing. White people...I swear. lol
LOL!
#10 -- Accumulating more than $5 million in wealth:
http://epicureandealmaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/life-imitates-art.html
I wonder if there are more than 6 billion forms of insanity.
I think a proper diagnosis would include 'oxygen consumption syndrome'... just to cover the 'spread' in the DSM ?
The more diseases/disorders there are, the more cures there are to promote, the more pharmaceutical companies stand to profit. It works because diagnosing someone with a disorder allows them to shrug off responsibility for their actions.
Guess you didn't quite make it through med school? Obesity was removed from the DSM so that the morbidly obese would be covered by insurance years ago. Guess you don't keep up but until October, 2008 insurance companies were allowed to disallow payment or to restrict payment for mental and emotional disorders. That's why things like sleep apnea showed up in the DSM. Insurance companies could deny claims or restrict payment of same. Nice racket, but at least for now, it's over. Of course, that isn't saying alot since across the board Health insurance companies regularly settle racketeering claims for delaying payment and denying all claims regardless of their contracted agreement.
That said, I worked on the Binge Eating Disorder research for the DSM-IV. The diagnostic criteria includes extensive pathology that you omitted, I assume in order to appear "cute." Best not to write about that which you lack the credentials to assess. Obesity is a very costly, very serious, fatal condition. Don't guess you bothered to check the morbidity rate.
Obesity is the side effect of the underlying condition of overeating, which is caused by addiction. For some people, certain foods trigger uncontrollable cravings. It's a form of addiction. I don't know why the medical establishment is so hesitant to see it that way. David Kessler's just written a wonderful book about it called "The End of Overeating". Food manufacturers know exactly how to engineer their food to stimulate those cravings and cause people to overeat. Obese people need food rehab, sympathy, and support. They also need to know that they're just like alcoholics when it comes to certain foods, and stay away from them one day at a time.
I agree that overeating can be an addiction and it is problem similar to addiction, but dear god I don't want to be subsidizing and paying for even more sick people. If we're going to pay for anything, why can't we focus on prevention... you know like hitting fat people with a bat whenever they reach for another Dorito...
pseudo-science
Most of these symptoms are far less ridiculous in reality than one might think from reading this column. Compulsive computer/internet use, for example, can be as destructive to an individual or family as heroine. It is a massive clinical problem that deserves attention. Many of these conditions require serious therapy, and if there is not a DSM code, then the therapist cannot bill for services. The patient goes untreated.
Poking fun at these conditions does nothing to improve the quality of mental health care in this country. I have watched suffering that often goes unchecked because insurance companies refuses to pay for mental health diseases at the same rate as for other diseases. You do us all a disservice to ridicule these conditions that can affect families, the workplace, and whole communities as well as continue to waste of human potential.
Seems like the entire country has the last one: pathological bias. The media stokes it because it's such a money-maker, just like #4 -- sex-addiction being created by the porn industry.
I guess since we're all embittered by the recession, we should all go out shopping. That should solve both disorders.
How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. The light bulb will change itself when it's ready.
How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, but she must consult the DSM-IV
How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a light bulb?
A: "How many do you think it takes?"
How many social workers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: It's not the light bulb, but the system that needs to be changed.
you cannot be serious!! my favorite..embitterment disorder.
when someone is really angry, or bitter, for a real reason.losing a child, being sick. being treated with disrespect. whatever. they should be angry. i call it a genuine emotion. not insanity! true, many people can handle different hardships. this doesn't mean go for help.
Exactly.
I guess there may be a lot of embittered Iraqis, after experiencing the trauma of torture.
WOW. MY WRITING IDOL RESPONDED TO MY COMMENT! THIS COULD BE A REALLY GOOD DAY. TOO BAD IT IS ONLY 3.00P.M HAVE TO WAIT 12 HOURS TO RAID THE FRIG!!
bookbeast,
Welcome to the club. I've been an exploora fan since way back in the first days of the bag lady blog :)
And
I'm
Serious
so I am not the only one. I started reading these blogs since BM decided the comments were more brilliant, especially exploora. does exploora know about the fan club? hope the the bag lady gives us an update on her poverty level. she gets lots of advice from this group.
bb,
Agreed. The comments are often a way better read than the blogs.
exploora, rocks the house. I think she's a novelist working on a character :)
I think the thought police are taking over, to the point where everything a person does that could be pleasurable in moderation of course, is either wrong or dirty.
Obviously the real mental health problems stem from abuse and neglect, often beginning in childhood, or from a break down of economic-social ties, and market failure, and then there is the sado-masochistic adversarial relationships prevalent in war time.
So what if a person eats ice cream at three in the morning, as long as they brush their teeth after?
Disorder #9: Mydogateit, formerly known as Lazy I Syndrome.
WHAT ABOUT REALITY TELEVISION DISORDER.. IF LIFE REVOLVES AROUND ALL REALITY SHOWS. GONNA SEE A SHRINK!! PLEEASE DON'T
You might be insane if you were not there ...
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/05/you-had-to-be-there-psychology.htm l
Though this is a light piece, I consider the convolution of the psychiatry industry and the pharmaceutical industry to be very dangerous. Every step in childhood, and every quirk of adulthood is becoming something to medicate. But the medications often have side effects worse than the supposed "illness."
Psychiatry began with Nazis torturing and mutilating people, and it wasn't so long ago that people were routinely lobotomized and left to drool in dirty hospitals. There have been no long-term studies for any of these new medications to treat a steady stream of new (read: made-up) illnesses.
Increasingly, the only winners are the pharmaceutical companies that convince you, or convince your doctor to convince you, that you have to take their drug every day for extended periods of time in order to be "well."
Thank you.
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