“The mental illness industry is medicalising normality”

According to the World Health Organization, the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease is depression. Unfortunately, by 2020 depression may rise to second place. The European College of Psychopharmacology, found that 164.8 million (38.2%) Europeans suffer from a mental disorder, neural disorder, chronic disorder and or conduct disorder. Also, anxiety disorders including panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Studies have found that depression and anxiety are linked mostly to women, and men seem to become alcoholics. Alcoholism is seen to be a determinant of depression. This global problem has drawn a lot of attention. Many people are suffering without a cure. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, more and more disorders are being “invented.” This shows how mental health is being categorized into a scale of what is normal and what is not.

Mental illness surrounds each and every one of us. I have many people in my family who have depression, along with chronic diseases. Obviously, medicine has played a huge role in helping us cope with the negative effects of diseases. However, the more mental illness’ are expanded the more big pharmacy companies have control over our mental and emotional well-being. This article has taught me that mental illness has become normalized for profit. Many people view their unhappiness into the category of a mental disorder-when in reality it is not. Although I know many patients with severe disorders and chronic illness’ need medicine, I feel more energy needs to go into offering alternatives to medical treatment. For instance, in the article it is suggested an increase in childcare be given, after-school clubs and more days off work. People around the world are struggling to make their voices heard. There needs to be a change in structure to show those suffering with depression can be leaders towards equality. In class we learn that change comes with everyone being involved. If women are empowered and realize they are the majority in this fight against depression, it will in turn advantage men to do more. This will create more community effort and better culture for care. Education is key to solving this global problem on suppressing unhappiness with drugs. Healthcare is a human right, therefore more funding needs to go into focus groups. There is a stigma attached to depression and the focus needs to go into eliminating that. I wish we heard more about primary prevention with depression. We hear so much of people getting cocktails of different medicines. We should support those who also may have a genetic/environmental link to depression and prevent and extend the quality of life for those needing it. All levels: primary, secondary and tertiary need to work cohesively for progress.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/06/mental-illness-medicalising-normality