Now More of Us Are Addicts, Per the DSM V

[Jemima]

WASHINGTON — In what could prove to be one of their most far-reaching decisions, psychiatrists and other specialists who are rewriting the manual that serves as the nation’s arbiter of mental illness have agreed to revise the definition of addiction, which could result in millions more people being diagnosed as addicts and pose huge consequences for health insurers and taxpayers." (emphasis mine)

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/us/dsm-revisions-may-sharply-increase-addiction-diagnoses.html?src=me&ref=general

 

"Behavioral addiction, not otherwise specified"...Oh, PUH-LEEZE!!! This reminds me of the catch-all diagnosis that was in vogue in my therapist days - chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. Say what?

[Altostrata]

I say, the drugs should be available from vending machines.

[Barbarannamated]

"We can treat them earlier," said Dr. Charles P. O'Brien, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and the head of the group of researchers devising the manual's new addiction standards. "And we can stop them from getting to the point where they're going to need really expensive stuff like liver transplants."

 

No doubt utilizing SS/NRIs, APs, and whatever psychotropics are on the horizon. Also throwing more people into high risk insurance categories with chronic, lifelong diagnoses or treatments that stay in med record.

[compsports]

Includes internet addiction.

 

""No doubt utilizing SS/NRIs, APs, and whatever psychotropics are on the horizon. Also throwing more people into high risk insurance categories with chronic, lifelong diagnoses or treatments that stay in med record.""

 

And how about the people who need liver transplants thanks to psych meds.

 

CS

[Barbarannamated]

And then psych meds for 'depression' due to liver failure...

This game could go on for a loooong time...

[Jemima]

I say, the drugs should be available from vending machines.

 

Now Alto, just think of all those psychiatrists who'd have to lower their standard of living and find honest work. It's enough to make a person weep.

[Barbarannamated]

Per your request, Alto:

http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57393703&feed_id=5&videofeed=41

 

FDA mulls bringing popular prescription drugs over-the-counter

March 08, 2012 by CBS News

 

"The new industry-backed proposal is driven in part by a wave of computer technology, including touch-screen kiosks found in pharmacies, designed to help patients self-diagnose common diseases. Drugmakers could use electronic questionnaires, diagnostic devices like blood pressure monitors and other computer-assisted technology to guide patients. In some cases, patients would still need to see a doctor to obtain an initial prescription before getting over-the-counter refills. In other cases, patients would need to speak with a pharmacist but would not need a prescription to get medication. The agency also says decreasing doctor visits could be beneficial. "Eliminating or reducing the number of routine visits could free up prescribers to spend time with more seriously ill patients, reduce the burdens on the already overburdened health care system and reduce health care costs," the agency states in recent federal notice about the proposal."

 

And special part Jemima will love:

"Why haven't statins, which are taken by millions of Americans, been cleared for over-the-counter sales? 'We've had several applications already to switch statins to over the counter, and they have failed because consumers can't determine their lipid status,' Janet Woodcock, head of the FDA's drugs center, told Reuters."

 

Less for insurance to cover.

[bubbles]

So, one can be addicted to gambling or shopping or the internet, but not to their antidepressant? The reasoning there makes my head hurt!

[Jemima]

The word "addiction" is used awfully loosely these days, and I don't like it one bit. I was considered an addictions specialist during most of my years as a psychotherapist and in my mind, addiction means that there are real, physiological symptoms when a substance is withdrawn. Just getting bored and antsy when the TV doesn't work or the high-speed internet connection is down or the malls are closed or a sexual partner isn't handy doesn't qualify. Those are habits - which may or may not cause problems - but they are not addictions.

 

As for OTC statins, I would vote a resounding NO. No one knows what a healthy cholesterol level is for any given individual and the idea that statins are helpful may very well be bogus. A great deal more independent research is needed on this front, and it's my opinion that the typical American diet of junk and processed foods is responsible for the majority of health problems, whether diabetes, heart attacks, high blood pressure or what have you. Sitting in front of a TV four hours a day (the average for many people) instead of getting some exercise or interacting with family and friends also contributes to poor physical and mental health.

 

I do think that antidepressants should be classified as addictive substances. The heroin addicts I used to counsel described something very much like the withdrawal many of us have experienced, except that when they got through it, there were no lasting effects except those that came from poor health habits, such as foregoing food to buy drugs. With antidepressants, there can be far more serious and lasting problems.