Re: bipolar disorder is an 'episodic' disorder...

Hi there #36, I actually am a nurse, sounds like you are in the medical profession yourself. I do not work in the field of Psychiatry.
I have especially noticed the diagnosis of "clinical depression" being thrown around without much forethought. I would say 95% of the elderly people I see are on an SSRI or some sort of antidepressant. I am sure some of them are depressed, but I am not sure why so many "need" to be on antidepressants.
Human emotion is a complex thing, so is neurobiochemistry. The long term effects of SSRIs, although considered a safe medication, still are not known.
I have seem some good in modern medicine, and psychiatric medication can be extremely beneficial to some nonfunctioning mentally ill individuals. Even lifesaving. But,there is a big BUT, I think these diagnoses are too easily thrown around. I don't think a brief questionaire is enough to determine if a person has a serious mental illness, and enough time to determine whether they should be put on psychotropic medication. Mental illness and diagnoses of mental illness keep Psychiatrists in business, keep drug companies in business, and make a lot of people money.
There are so many reasons why people are hurting in our society that aren't considered, modern life is stressful, our food quality, and water quality are poor. There is not enough fresh air to breathe. Life is rushed, people are hostile, people are not as close as they were at one time, and we are constantly exposed to images of violence, hurt and destruction. It is considered the norm to live on chemical ladden food, caffeine, sugar, sleep little and pack as much into a day as we can. Is it any wonder many of us have "depression", "anxiety" and "mood swings". I now see the symptoms I have had in my life, as symptoms, not as a disease itself. I don't feel I need to cover my hurts with medication, I can have emotions without having a "disease". I feel free to think, to express myself and be who I am, whether that seems "strange" or "bipolar" to some, I feel that I am myself, and glad to be, and Thankful,so Thankful to Curezone for that. Okay I will quit rambling on this subject. Thanks to everyone for the support.
Blessings,
M. Tweet