4 ms·

29 But I don't care what it means and don't buy the autism hype. "The Truth Wears Off" http://crayz.org/science.pdf http://crayz.org/science.pdf seems relevan

by Detrus 16y ago

29 But I don't care what it means and don't buy the autism hype. "The Truth Wears Off" http://crayz.org/science.pdf http://crayz.org/science.pdf seems relevant here. Many early studies and experiments based on fresh theories produce dramatic results, but decades later, when experiments are repeated the results are still there, but less dramatic. Hype and bias affect which tests get popularized. Also a good explanation for the ADD/depression medication craze.

adimitrov 16y ago
I agree that autism/ADD/depression do get hyped as a 'trendy disorder.' But the 'spectacular' numbers the diagnostic methods receive are in part also to the fact that these methods have improved dramatically. We have no point of comparison. It's just been some 20 years or so that it has been feasible and reliable to diagnose a lot psychiatric disorders; and people adapt even more slowly. Many are afraid of going to psychotherapy or even a psychiatrist in order to get a diagnosis. It carries a certain stigma. There's a medication craze, no doubt. But that doesn't change that there's a lot of people who are undiagnosed, but could benefit from therapy. Be it psychotherapy or pharmacological therapy (most likely both!) By discounting it as a craze, you're also stigmatising valid diagnoses that could help people. If someone in your circle of friends shows up as depressive or autistic or ADD, don't run in their shrink's office, guns blazing. It is often difficult to realise someone is suffering from a mental disorder, as they might still be highly functioning. (Says the guy who lived with a heavy clinical depression and as many as 3 different personality disorders for over four years, before finally consulting a doctor.)
- Detrus 16y ago
  >the fact that these methods have improved dramatically. That article shows that bubbles are not exclusive to markets, they happen in academia, even in areas where empirical data should be easier to collect than in psychology and social science. This test is backed up by correlations to other diagnoses made during a bubble. "Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher." It's a feedback loop, and science might move along faster if there was increased skepticism during bubbles. Bubbles have a higher ratio of waste, 90% of the science might be waste, and 10% will stand the test of time. That 10% may have helped you, but the 90%, the sharp increase in prescription will ruin many lives.

by Detrus 16y ago

adimitrov 16y ago

I agree that autism/ADD/depression do get hyped as a 'trendy disorder.' But the 'spectacular' numbers the diagnostic methods receive are in part also to the fact that these methods have improved dramatically. We have no point of comparison. It's just been some 20 years or so that it has been feasible and reliable to diagnose a lot psychiatric disorders; and people adapt even more slowly. Many are afraid of going to psychotherapy or even a psychiatrist in order to get a diagnosis. It carries a certain stigma. There's a medication craze, no doubt. But that doesn't change that there's a lot of people who are undiagnosed, but could benefit from therapy. Be it psychotherapy or pharmacological therapy (most likely both!) By discounting it as a craze, you're also stigmatising valid diagnoses that could help people. If someone in your circle of friends shows up as depressive or autistic or ADD, don't run in their shrink's office, guns blazing. It is often difficult to realise someone is suffering from a mental disorder, as they might still be highly functioning. (Says the guy who lived with a heavy clinical depression and as many as 3 different personality disorders for over four years, before finally consulting a doctor.)

Detrus 16y ago
>the fact that these methods have improved dramatically. That article shows that bubbles are not exclusive to markets, they happen in academia, even in areas where empirical data should be easier to collect than in psychology and social science. This test is backed up by correlations to other diagnoses made during a bubble. "Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher." It's a feedback loop, and science might move along faster if there was increased skepticism during bubbles. Bubbles have a higher ratio of waste, 90% of the science might be waste, and 10% will stand the test of time. That 10% may have helped you, but the 90%, the sharp increase in prescription will ruin many lives.