tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012499708688254847.post1666573575208375104..comments2024-02-19T21:16:14.878-08:00Comments on Prozac Monologues: PTSD and the DSM: Science and Politics -- AgainWilla Goodfellowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816752444634576606noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2012499708688254847.post-87660980377009240962010-05-26T19:33:36.025-07:002010-05-26T19:33:36.025-07:00Hey, Willa. I have no position on this, but I am f...Hey, Willa. I have no position on this, but I am fascinated by the issue. The debate here seems to center on the fact that individuals must have a valid reason to rate a PTSD diagnosis, and its just a matter of reaching a consensus on what a valid reason is.<br /><br />As you note, this completely contradicts the assumptions of all the rest of psychiatry. Take depression: If you have a valid reason for being depressed (such as bereavement) then this is a completely normal response to an abnormal situation and doesn't rate a diagnosis unless the depression exists.<br /><br />The reality is we often get clinically depressed for seemingly no reason at all, or for what seems to be a trivial reason. There is no logic to the depression, so we must be thinking and behaving irrationally, hence we are mentally ill.<br /><br />Same with the various ills (except notably PTSD) in the anxiety spectrum. If we get anxious for no good reason, our condition is recognized and treated.<br /><br />So,my point: What happens to people who manifest PTSD symptoms for no valid reason? Say, for instance, you were freaked out by a circus clown and now you're a walking bundle of nerves who can't sleep or interact with others.<br /><br />If we don't call this PTSD, we need to call it something else.John McManamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11857174305041382349noreply@blogger.com