For most people, psychiatry is overkill, sure sure. But heck, look at the diagnostic criteria for Bi-Polar, > The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to c

For most people, psychiatry is overkill, sure sure. But heck, look at the diagnostic criteria for Bi-Polar, > The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features. That line about "marked impairment in occupational functioning" is a common theme in the DSM. (Hypomania has a lower threshhold, but still involves risk to self) If someone is able to live their life, hold down a job, isn't a risk to themselves / others, then they should be directed to a psychologist or therapist. Bloody hell, the DSM says this, again and again and again. In the must be met criteria for ADHD: > There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning. Major depressive disorder, again, with this requirement: > Cause significant distress or severely impact social, occupational or other important life areas The diagnostic criteria is pretty on point. But even so, misdiagnosis is possible. If someone comes in and says that they hate their job and their spouse is abusive, the correct solution is a lawyer / career training (probably in that order?), not a pill! If someone comes in and says "my life has no meaning", maybe it isn't anhedonia, maybe the activities in their life legitimately aren't of interest to them! We all feel social pressure to fit in with the culture we grow up with. The great thing about America is, if we don't fit in with that culture, plenty of other culture's abound! But first people have to realize that they can leave the culture they are familiar with if it isn't bringing them happiness. We all know that one engineer who decided to be become a brick layer, and who is now super happy! Heck one of my friends and old co-workers went from being a preacher to coder! We all need to realize that laying bricks is just as fulfilling and meaningful as writing code[1] and not being judgmental about people's choice to leave one career behind and go into another. My masseuse used to be in the corporate world. One of the best Chocolatiers[2] alive used to work at Microsoft. Parents, if you kids aren't happy living the upper class lifestyle that you dreamed of when you were working your way up the ladder, then support them doing something else! Tell them that they don't have to live up to your dreams, or fit into the societal image of perfection created by the culture one is surrounded by. [1] Possibly more so, the bricks are going to outlive 99.9% of code that is ever written, and will likely be appreciated by far more people. [2] I've traveled to quite a few countries and found her equal, but none that surpass. http://bruggechocolates.com/ http://bruggechocolates.com/