6 ms·

> People want a concept of mental disorder that is "objective". That's not possible. With a bit of effort, I think it is. I disagree with your definition of a

by maratd 11y ago

> People want a concept of mental disorder that is "objective". That's not possible. With a bit of effort, I think it is. I disagree with your definition of a disorder. A disorder is anything that negatively impacts an individual when compared to the mean. With a bit of effort, you can statistically measure that based on fecundity.

alanwatts 11y ago
Mental classifications are purely subjective by default.
- maratd 11y ago
  Not true. We're starting to identify the mutations responsible. There's nothing subjective about that.
jlg23 11y ago
"A disorder is anything that negatively impacts an individual when compared to the mean." Not every deviation from the mean has only negative impacts (e.g. A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller.) and the definition of what is "negative" can actually change over time. Last but not least we should look at why they are negatively impacted. The impact often comes from society and maybe society should be more tolerant instead of medicating everyone who is deviating from the mean.
- emodendroket 11y ago
  > (e.g. A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller. I very much doubt that is the case
- DanBC 11y ago
  Your point - that mental illnesses aren't always seen as entirely negative by the people who have them is a good point. And this point is excellent: >The impact often comes from society and maybe society should be more tolerant However > A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is often a severely debilitating[1] illness. It's marked by intrusive thoughts, and rituals to cope with those intrusive thoughts. I can't see how those could help someone be a better air-traffic controller. Here's some information from a UK charity: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/ http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-h... The most important part from that link is probably this, which talks about the difference between the normal anxieties that everyone has, and what happens in OCD. > Although many people experience minor obsessions (e.g. worrying about leaving the gas on, or if the door is locked) and compulsions (e.g. rituals, like avoiding the cracks in the pavement), these don’t significantly interfere with their daily lives, or are short-lived. > If you experience OCD, your obsessions and compulsions will cause you considerable fear and distress. They will also take up a significant amount of time, and disrupt your ability to carry on with your day-to-day to life, including doing daily chores, going to work, or maintaining relationships with friends and family. OCD is probably not going to help someone be a better air traffic controller. OCD is a much misunderstood illness, and there's some stigma around it, so I hope you don't mind me dumping some information here. [1] WHO list OCD in their top 20 debilitating illnesses. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/11/en/858.pdf http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/11/en/858.pdf > Of the 10 leading causes of YLD in the world among individuals of all ages, four are psychiatric conditions, with unipolar depression being the leading cause (2). Among individuals between the ages of 15 and 44, panic disorder, drug use disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) were included in the top 20 disorders. (YLD == Years lost to disability)

by maratd 11y ago

alanwatts 11y ago

Mental classifications are purely subjective by default.

maratd 11y ago
Not true. We're starting to identify the mutations responsible. There's nothing subjective about that.

jlg23 11y ago

"A disorder is anything that negatively impacts an individual when compared to the mean." Not every deviation from the mean has only negative impacts (e.g. A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller.) and the definition of what is "negative" can actually change over time. Last but not least we should look at why they are negatively impacted. The impact often comes from society and maybe society should be more tolerant instead of medicating everyone who is deviating from the mean.

emodendroket 11y ago
> (e.g. A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller. I very much doubt that is the case
DanBC 11y ago
Your point - that mental illnesses aren't always seen as entirely negative by the people who have them is a good point. And this point is excellent: >The impact often comes from society and maybe society should be more tolerant However > A person with OCD probably makes a better air traffic controller. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is often a severely debilitating[1] illness. It's marked by intrusive thoughts, and rituals to cope with those intrusive thoughts. I can't see how those could help someone be a better air-traffic controller. Here's some information from a UK charity: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/ http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-h... The most important part from that link is probably this, which talks about the difference between the normal anxieties that everyone has, and what happens in OCD. > Although many people experience minor obsessions (e.g. worrying about leaving the gas on, or if the door is locked) and compulsions (e.g. rituals, like avoiding the cracks in the pavement), these don’t significantly interfere with their daily lives, or are short-lived. > If you experience OCD, your obsessions and compulsions will cause you considerable fear and distress. They will also take up a significant amount of time, and disrupt your ability to carry on with your day-to-day to life, including doing daily chores, going to work, or maintaining relationships with friends and family. OCD is probably not going to help someone be a better air traffic controller. OCD is a much misunderstood illness, and there's some stigma around it, so I hope you don't mind me dumping some information here. [1] WHO list OCD in their top 20 debilitating illnesses. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/11/en/858.pdf http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/11/en/858.pdf > Of the 10 leading causes of YLD in the world among individuals of all ages, four are psychiatric conditions, with unipolar depression being the leading cause (2). Among individuals between the ages of 15 and 44, panic disorder, drug use disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) were included in the top 20 disorders. (YLD == Years lost to disability)