Poll: Mental illness: a conspiracy?

[razer17]

I recently seen some posts on a topic here that shocked me. people who said that mental illness was a term invented to protect people who have behavioural problems.
the fact that someone can be so callous is beyond me. im pretty sure there is no conspiracy between millions of people in all the continents, to explain bad behaviour by " fake" illnesses. Autism, schizophrenia, have you ever read about these. it can't be easy pretend, especially autism in children. why would people want to be locked up and medicated, were they nbot actually mentally ill.
fair enough some illnesses are a bit "wishy-washy" (ADHD and ADD spring to mind), and some are over diagnosed (i.e, diagnosed just because they have some of the symptoms, lazy psychiatrists) like ADHD, but still.
so who thinks that mental illnesss exists and who doesnt? and give your reasons as well.

 

[ElephantGuts]

Some ignorant people simply refuse to believe in something they can't see. Also, they're probably a little scared by people with mental illnesses. I know I am, and I'm willing to admit it. Not like "Oh no they're going to snap and attack me" afraid, they're just...wierd. I'm not biased against them or anything though. Just don't feel particularly comfortable around them.

 

[Ze Mace]

Of course they're not conspiracies, there may be a few rare cases but otherwise not

 

[Senrab]

Some ignorant people simply refuse to believe in something they can't see. Also, they're probably a little scared by people with mental illnesses. I know I am, and I'm willing to admit it. Not like "Oh no they're going to snap and attack me" afraid, they're just...wierd. I'm not biased against them or anything though. Just don't feel particularly comfortable around them.

I'm biased against them.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I volunteer at a book club for mentally disabled kids. One of them has Down syndrome. The others have other mental illnesses of varying degrees. A few have facial deformities that go with it.

No, after knowing these kids, there's no doubt in my mid that they exist.

 

[xitel]

When you can prove a mental illness by studying brain chemistry and neuron pathways, and can prove beyond a doubt that there is a physical difference between someone diagnosed with a mental disorder and someone who does not have one, then yes, you can prove that they exist. To claim that it's just trying to make an excuse for people with behavioral problems is just stupid, and borderline offensive.

 

[Nmil-ek]

More hanging up on labels, protip if someones drooling, cannot speak properly, showing the mental capacity of a 5 year old they are probably not kidding.

Not bothering any further on this one.

 

[sky14kemea]

of course they exist!
im not even gonna put an argument, there's no need XD

 

[Lord George]

I am a diagnosed Paranoid schizophrenic so I'm pretty sure its real for me, though apparently I've had it better then lots. Especially as someone got me help early on. People who say its all some kind of conspiracy can shut the hell as I'm betting they've had no actual experience of real mental sickness.

 

[lumpenprole]

Yep, it's a conspiracy. Put together by the pharmaceutical companies in conjunction with the government, and the Illuminati. Furthermore, they can can get at you by using any metal object as an antenna, so use a wood, black powder gun to shoot all cans in your house.

You see they WANT you to wear tinfoil! That's how they get you!

 

[Lozzo87]

I'm conviced ADHD doesn't exist. I still think it's a label given to kids who are just unruly and disobediant. It would make sense for this term to become available because it allows teachers to bundle difficult children together in a group, label them insane, and therefore there is no need to treat them 'normally' because that would require far too much effort.

Also a more beleivable excuse for the mental illness would be the fact it allows parents to purchase Ritalin ($$$$$ for the drugs companies), and basically get them stoned and docile so they don't have to be dealt with properly. Label them insane, pump em full of drugs and be done with it. There's a difference between a full blown mental illness and having a short attention span out of either being stupid or just being easily exciteable.

 

[LeonLethality]

I have ADHD my mom always seems to use it as a defense for my problems, i can pretty much controll it but i have clinical depression ADHD and OCD couldnt be lies, but i can controll them for the most part

Yep, it's a conspiracy. Put together by the pharmaceutical companies in conjunction with the government, and the Illuminati. Furthermore, they can can get at you by using any metal object as an antenna, so use a wood, black powder gun to shoot all cans in your house.

You see they WANT you to wear tinfoil! That's how they get you!

now THAT made me laugh

I have a friend with aspergers and ADD and he shows clear signs, the unbelievers are usualy in denial since they dont have it and think others dont either

 

[Leorex]

i have aspergers, and i can tell you that they are real.

 

[matnatz]

I'm not saying I agree with the statement but I'm going to bring up that clip of southppark where a Doctor finds that the best cure for ADD is a slap and an order to sit still and shut up.

Anyway, conspiracy you say? Only one... actually two people for this!

 

[Skeleon]

Bull...
Of course mental illnesses are real.
Some may be over-diagnosed, i.e. stressed parents who can't deal with active and lively children.
But there are a great variety of mental disorders with very specific symptoms, you can look them up in the ICD-10 for example.

 

[CowboyIkari]

A lot of people suffer from mental illness' and they don't even know. They just get on with their lives and it doesn't affect them heavily. Other people have more severe versions of these illness' that impairs (spelling?) their ability to socialise, learn or even communicate at all.

They are not invented and are chemical imbalances in the brain.

EDIT - ADD is probably more nuture related than nature.