How psychologists subvert democratic movement

[turtledude23]

Are you simply replying to your surface perceptions of the name of this thread? What are you referring to? I wasn't aware anyone claimed "all psychology is bad". The article in the OP simply makes the case that the most mainstream, lazy version of psychology isn't actually designed to help the individual, but to get them back into the work force. I'm fact, being suicidal for a number if years and seeing 4 professionals in the field I can say they did not help alleviate this dysfunction in the least and I probably wouldn't be typing this message right now had I not fixed myself via philosophy and spirituality. This article bashes psychology designed to return us to the assembly line, not all forms of psychotherapy. For example, from what my wife has read me out of her DSM bible, existential therapy would have greatly benefited alleviating my depression (at the time).

I'm just replying to the title because I'm lazy

[reeay]

Are you simply replying to your surface perceptions of the name of this thread? What are you referring to? I wasn't aware anyone claimed "all psychology is bad". The article in the OP simply makes the case that the most mainstream, lazy version of psychology isn't actually designed to help the individual, but to get them back into the work force. I'm fact, being suicidal for a number if years and seeing 4 professionals in the field I can say they did not help alleviate this dysfunction in the least and I probably wouldn't be typing this message right now had I not fixed myself via philosophy and spirituality. This article bashes psychology designed to return us to the assembly line, not all forms of psychotherapy. For example, from what my wife has read me out of her DSM bible, existential therapy would have greatly benefited alleviating my depression (at the time).

I'm just replying to the title because I'm lazy

The article is Levine's reaction to the mental health authorities. In the past, there have been violations of human rights and a tendency to pathologize people (label them sick) when they dared to question authority. In particular, he looks at "acting out" disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and ADHD. He's questioning why these children are being made sick for questioning and defying authority. He also talks about how some people with diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems may be labeled as "sick" due to how they question/defy authority.

[Spaced]

It's kind of crazy the spiral of prescriptions that someone can pick up just for standing out in school. I look at my girlfriend who was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed adderall when she was young. She took them for years, altering her brain chemistry with powerful stimulants until she was diagnosed with Anxiety (really? I wonder if it's all those dextroamphetamines making her anxious), which led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and so on and so on with an ever increasing pile of (expensive!) prescriptions. They had her on Lithium, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, stimulants, and anti-anxiety medication. These pills did nothing to help her, they just kept her numb, to escape that numbness she attempted suicide, definitely not the actions of someone who felt these medications were curing her. Thankfully she has realized that she doesn't really need them anymore and after a somewhat difficult detox period she is now free from them, and what's more she seems like an actual human being now and not the zombie all those pills had turned her into.

[reeay]

I understand ADHD as having a sensitive brain. There are a lot of stimulations that distract and overwhelm us. All the television, the noise, etc., etc.,. So people with 'ADHD' need lots of quiet and organized space to re-set themselves - like meditation or going out to nature and recharging, or having rituals to center self. ADHD and autism, to some extent, is a naturally occurring condition that gets exacerbated due to modern lifestyle and environmental toxins. Why would someone have a sensitive brain other than creating a catalyst for the self in this world where things seem to be chaotic? Why be born with highly sensitive brains? It wasn't an available condition until more recently in history! I am so glad she's off of meds and doing well!

If you see Sir Ken Robinson's video from TED, he talks about a famous choreographer (she choreographed Cats and other famous musicals). She was sent to a psychologist because her school teachers were worried she was disruptive and inattentive in class. After interviewing the child, the psychologist put the radio on and asked the child's mother to leave the room with him. From another room, they watched her. The girl began to dance to the music! The psychologist turned to the mother and said, "Mrs. so-and-so, your child is not sick, she's a dancer - take her to a dancing school." So the point of the story is, some people 'think' differently - this lady thinks through movement or dance. The fact that she could not keep still was because she does not think like the rest of the people in her society.

TED Talks http://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtY
The Element http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TAqSBMZDY8

[turtledude23]

I have ADHD and its been the single biggest cause of problems in my life, it caused my depression, anxiety and school problems/procrastination. Even if you ignore the last part because its based on something external I would much rather not have ADHD, I don't care if it makes me think outside the box and be more creative, that's little use when I'm unhappy. Maybe ADHD did serve some kind of evolutionary purpose when we were hunter-gatherers but it has few positive benefits today and alot of negatives.

Having out of the box thinkers is good for society overall but the cost to the individual is high. Something like 40% of people with ADHD also end up with depression, and even the people who don't have to live like outcasts to some extent. "Normal" people should pick up some of the slack instead of depending on wanderers and/or people with mental illnesses to shake things up.

[caycegal]

I have ADHD and its been the single biggest cause of problems in my life, it caused my depression, anxiety and school problems/procrastination. Even if you ignore the last part because its based on something external I would much rather not have ADHD, I don't care if it makes me think outside the box and be more creative, that's little use when I'm unhappy. Maybe ADHD did serve some kind of evolutionary purpose when we were hunter-gatherers but it has few positive benefits today and alot of negatives.

Having out of the box thinkers is good for society overall but the cost to the individual is high. Something like 40% of people with ADHD also end up with depression, and even the people who don't have to live like outcasts to some extent. "Normal" people should pick up some of the slack instead of depending on wanderers and/or people with mental illnesses to shake things up.

Stephen Hawking is reported to have said that he didn't see how his life could have been any better. Don't know if it's true, but it makes a good story!

[reeay]

Having out of the box thinkers is good for society overall but the cost to the individual is high. Something like 40% of people with ADHD also end up with depression, and even the people who don't have to live like outcasts to some extent. "Normal" people should pick up some of the slack instead of depending on wanderers and/or people with mental illnesses to shake things up.

Would changing the 'others' or changing the outside world change your internal world?

It may help for a short period of time but we'll still be the 'victims'... helpless, hapless, stuck in our misery...