The Maddening of America

[Skybird]

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/america-s-global-leadership-in-serious-mental-disease-by-liah-greenfeld

Do not see this as a hidden attempt of America-bashing, but see the clinical view of the author (and in my intention).

The numerical weights might differ a bit, and maybe there is a bigger diversity in results and local foci of symptoms in Europe, due to the greater cultural and ethnic diversity of nations over here, but a similar trend seems to exist for Europe as well. If there is something very specially American in America's state of things, than it is the culture of fear and the fostering of fear-mongering. which expresses in the medias' general focus and the obessions of America with weapins and violence, which has been very well described and named by Michael Moore in Bowling for Columbine (say about the man what you want, in that movie he got plenty of things right). Germans also have a over-represented "Angst", but it is different in nature and cause, and even more hysteric in nature. I would expect psychological survey finding a steep climb of existential fears in Southern European states as well, namely Greece, but for understandable reasons these fears are much more rooted in real events and facts than much of what Germans and Americans worry about.

[Wolferz]

Musings of a mad woman?

[AVGWarhawk]

The claim that the spread of severe mental illness has reached “epidemic” proportions has been heard so often that, like any commonplace, it has lost its ability to shock.
Read more at http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/america-s-global-leadership-in-serious-mental-disease-by-liah-greenfeld#pliAGvt1WcagIvQX.99


Sadly the epidemic of widespread "mental illness" usually has a monthly check furnished by the government attached to it. Physical disabilities are on the rise as well.

[Oberon]

This is a good discussion, but alas clouded in a judgment against American and Western societies.
If you were to look at the likes of Japan you will see that they too suffer from severe mental illness problems, but they deal with it in a different manner, there is a lot less care in dealing with people who suffer from it, and likewise in China, as such Japan has the tenth highest suicide rate in the world, and China has the seventh. South Korea is the second highest, but the odd nation at number one is Greenland, although SAD could possibly account for some of that.

If one were to look at the 'Age standardised Disability adjusted life year' then you'd indeed see America at the highest rate, but strangely enough it's then followed by Nepal, East Timor and Bangladesh which are not known for their westernisation or indeed highly modern ways of life. Greenland doesn't appear on this list, but South Korea which is the second highest for suicides, doesn't appear until number 120, so the rates of depression are lower than the rates of suicide, which points towards potential further reasons for people committing suicide than depression, however, equally, it also points at the possibility of errors creeping in to the figures. After all, how does one get the 'Age standardised Disability adjusted life year' from North Korea?

In all reality, I think the reason why rates of depression and mental illness are higher in the west than anywhere else is probably the same as the reason why the rates of cancer are higher, it's because we have a better system for detecting and treating it than other less developed countries.
Certainly there are areas in western nations that need to be improved in regards to the treatment of mental illness, the rates of school shootings in America have shown that their mental health system needs looking at, more so than their gun control laws in fact, but it is not necessarily an indication of a flaw in western society.

I do agree though, that there is definitely a sense that things were 'easier' and the pace of life 'slower' in the days before our mechanised world, but this is folly, things were just as hard, if not harder, and the consequences of failure were harsher than today. However, on general, today we have a lot more time to contemplate and think about ourselves and our lives in general than in the years past where time was spent mostly on work, sleep and occasional leisure. One could draw parallels with modern Japan where the ethics of work are starting to come to blows with the ethics of freedom and self-determination, particularly the gulf between the youth and the middle aged 'salarymen'. Does this make the Japanese work ethic better than the western ethic which puts greater emphasis on mental well being? For productivity, yes, but for life...well...I'll let you be the judge of that.

[Jimbuna]

Sadly the epidemic of widespread "mental illness" usually has a monthly check furnished by the government attached to it. Physical disabilities are on the rise as well.

There's a big crackdown on those benefits currently being undertaken in the UK and many genuine claimants are suffering as a result.

I don't kid myself I know what the answer or solution is though.....better I give thanks I'm not in receipt of them I suppose.

[AVGWarhawk]

There's a big crackdown on those benefits currently being undertaken in the UK and many genuine claimants are suffering as a result.



The crackdown as a result of many new participants on the rolls since 2008? The numbers miraculously jumped here in the states since 2008. Imagine that.

[Armistead]

Anyone that is stressed is mentally ill today, at least in the minds of big pharma. Everyone needs to be on pills.:yeah:

[AVGWarhawk]

Can I have some purple ones?

[WernherVonTrapp]

IMHO, I think the world is in a state of denial and subsequent progressive feelings of hopelessness and diminishing sense of self worth. I don't believe that this is restricted to "Americans". We are probably more medicated than the rest of the world, but that's only treating the symptoms.

[Armistead]

Can I have some purple ones?

Nexium....

Use baking soda mixed in seltzer water, works for Bear.

[Armistead]

IMHO, I think the world is in a state of denial and subsequent progressive feelings of hopelessness and sense of self worth. I don't believe that this is restricted to "Americans". We are probably more medicated than the rest of the world, but that's only treating the symptoms.

It's amazing that people have no coping skills. The scary thing is so many young people are on these pills.

[AVGWarhawk]

Nexium....

Use baking soda mixed in seltzer water, works for Bear.

Excellent for heartburn.

[Takeda Shingen]

If there is something very specially American in America's state of things, than it is the culture of fear and the fostering of fear-mongering.

Must......resist......pointing........out........b latent.........irony........ngrhhhhhhh........


http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/b9/db/dogs,poke,cute,puppy-b9db0f96fb080ece2bf4566b5db2b1fb_h.jpg

Ahhhhh...puppies. All better. Urge to mock.....falling.....falling...RISING...falling. Gone.

[Dowly]

Puppies!

[AVGWarhawk]

Puppies. All better now. :D

[Dowly]

And boobs.
http://i.qkme.me/3pfo88.jpg

[Armistead]

Excellent for heartburn.


Yes it is If you ever have severe constipation, I have a recipe for a tabasco sauce enema that may interest you.

[AVGWarhawk]

Yes it is If you ever have severe constipation, I have a recipe for a tabasco sauce enema that may interest you.

You are not going to administer this enema for me are you? :o

[Armistead]

You are not going to administer this enema for me are you? :o

Afraid so, once I stick the bottle in, you'll need me to hold you down why you get use to the initial burn. Once it has effect, you're on your own.

Works great, just ask Wolferz..

[Wolferz]

Let us spray.....

Iced ol' Armistead like a cake.:haha:


That'll learn ya dern ya.:stare:

The spitting and sputtering was the best part. Wish I'd had a camera.

PS: I really wish you'd learn not to substitute the word "why" for the word "while". They are two very different words with very different meanings. Just ask Steve. He's over in the corner suffering from poor grammar exasperation. Maybe you could mix up another batch of that colon blow for him. Looks like he could really use it right now to get him out of that fetal position and back on his feet... running!

[the_tyrant]

You know, marijuana legalization folks should just be honest and say they want to get high. Nowadays, there are so many people out there with "mental illnesses" just to score some weed

[Wolferz]

You know, marijuana legalization folks should just be honest and say they want to get high. Nowadays, there are so many people out there with "mental illnesses" just to score some weed
Mental illness isn't needed to score some weed. That's just crazy talk...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/508_towelie.gif

All you need is a towel.

[August]

You know, marijuana legalization folks should just be honest and say they want to get high. Nowadays, there are so many people out there with "mental illnesses" just to score some weed


Actually the medical marijuana industry is now fighting recreational legalization. Apparently they don't want to loose their government protected monopoly.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/big-marijuana-lobby-fights-legalization-efforts-94816.html

[Wolferz]

Actually the medical marijuana industry is now fighting recreational legalization. Apparently they don't want to loose their government protected monopoly.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/big-marijuana-lobby-fights-legalization-efforts-94816.html

Always a bunch of greedy SOB's somewhere. Is there any wonder why we're all nuts?

I would call that cutting off your nose to spite your face. One would think that the recreational users who don't want to go through the hassles of cultivation would rather get their herb from a bona fide dispensary, instead of some back alley black market butthead. The dispensaries would have a better selection of properly grown Cannabis and the only people who will get cut out of the loop will be the doctors who have more than enough on their plates as it is.

Clue rakes for sale!

[Platapus]

It's amazing that people have no coping skills. The scary thing is so many young people are on these pills.

A few years ago, I overheard The Frau's daughter bragging about how many meds she was on to her friends. They were comparing med lists and there was some sort of prestige in her peer group to be taking meds that no one else is doing.

Wow. :nope:

[Wolferz]

A few years ago, I overheard The Frau's daughter bragging about how many meds she was on to her friends. They were comparing med lists and there was some sort of prestige in her peer group to be taking meds that no one else is doing.

Wow. :nope:

That is both amazing and disturbing at the same time. Especially if these kids are sharing their meds with each other. :huh:

[Platapus]

TEspecially if these kids are sharing their meds with each other. :huh:

We try really hard not to think about that.....But yeah. :nope:

[Wolferz]

We try really hard not to think about that.....But yeah. :nope:

10,000 times worse than sharing a little cannabis.

Pardon me for being Captain obvious but, I would hope that you can recognize that sort of behavior early and do what is necessary to curtail it. Not "try not to think about it".
Milady and I went through that kind of thing with her bi-polar son for a very abbreviated period before I had enough solid evidence to nip it in the bud. It does require close clandestine monitoring. Pain in the buttinski really. But far better than the consequences.

[WernherVonTrapp]

10,000 times worse than sharing a little cannabis.

Pardon me for being Captain obvious but, I would hope that you can recognize that sort of behavior early and do what is necessary to curtail it. Not "try not to think about it".
Milady and I went through that kind of thing with her bi-polar son for a very abbreviated period before I had enough solid evidence to nip it in the bud. It does require close clandestine monitoring. Pain in the buttinski really. But far better than the consequences.
I have to agree. We used to have a neighbor whose daughter was a drug addict. The problem was the father. He was an "enabler", but not the good kind. While trying to appease (I suppose) his daughter, he went so far as to ask my wife for some of her prescription pain killers. Luckily, my wife politely declined. Despite this, my own wife didn't know at the time that in NJ, sharing private prescription medication with another (who does not have that prescription) is the same as drug dealing. I'm sure other states have similar laws.
Something to keep an eye on. You don't want anyone having a drug interaction and then explaining to doctors (unmaliciously) whom he/she received the prescription meds from.

[Wolferz]

Isn't that a federal law, Wern?

[WernherVonTrapp]

Isn't that a federal law, Wern?
It may be, but to be honest, I'm not well versed in Federal Law, only Criminal and related laws specific to the state of NJ. The only Federal laws I was required to know were those involving Constitutional Rights and certain "Case Laws".

[Wolferz]

It may be, but to be honest, I'm not well versed in Federal Law, only Criminal and related laws specific to the state of NJ. The only Federal laws I was required to know were those involving Constitutional Rights and certain "Case Laws".

A "regulation" might be a more accurate description I think. Still, dispensing any medication without proper training or licensing is a recipe for disaster and like you said, it makes one a drug pusher. No better than that scum on the corner passing out twenty dollar crack rocks or packets of methamphetamines of questionable quality. :down:
The wife's bi-polar son was doing just that with his Klonipin. Passing them out to one of his friends like party favors. Until one evening an entire bottle of a freshly filled script allegedly grew legs and walked out the door, leaving the idiot with no medication to keep his mania in check. I should have filmed his dilly bean dance. It was sad and pathetic. I suspected a couple of scenarios during that incident.
1. His friend stole the drugs to sell. or...
2. He and his friend partied on the entire bottle the night before.
We began locking up his meds after that and closely monitored the dispensing.

This worked well for awhile. But, Manic-depression is a frustrating mess and he slowly spiraled out of control after that because he likes to be in control.
Eventually we were forced to 302 him because he refused to go to the doctor and while he was in the hospital we dropped the GET OUT bomb on him. It snapped him back to reality thankfully. Things have been much smoother since then. Guess what? The friend he was giving his meds to abandoned him and we haven't seen or heard from that little turd since. Good riddance to bad rubbish!:-?
There have been no more shortages of medications and the meds are taken as prescribed, under penalty of eviction if there is any discrepancy.

[WernherVonTrapp]

A "regulation" might be a more accurate description I think. Still, dispensing any medication without proper training or licensing is a recipe for disaster and like you said, it makes one a drug pusher. No better than that scum on the corner passing out twenty dollar crack rocks or packets of methamphetamines of questionable quality. :down:
The wife's bi-polar son was doing just that with his Klonipin. Passing them out to one of his friends like party favors. Until one evening an entire bottle of a freshly filled script allegedly grew legs and walked out the door, leaving the idiot with no medication to keep his mania in check. I should have filmed his dilly bean dance. It was sad and pathetic. I suspected a couple of scenarios during that incident.
1. His friend stole the drugs to sell. or...
2. He and his friend partied on the entire bottle the night before.
We began locking up his meds after that and closely monitored the dispensing.

This worked well for awhile. But, Manic-depression is a frustrating mess and he slowly spiraled out of control after that because he likes to be in control.
Eventually we were forced to 302 him because he refused to go to the doctor and while he was in the hospital we dropped the GET OUT bomb on him. It snapped him back to reality thankfully. Things have been much smoother since then. Guess what? The friend he was giving his meds to abandoned him and we haven't seen or heard from that little turd since. Good riddance to bad rubbish!:-?
There have been no more shortages of medications and the meds are taken as prescribed, under penalty of eviction if there is any discrepancy.
Unless there's some factor that would bring federal charges (crossing state borders, etc.), the states usually handle these matters. I know, in NJ, if you're found to be under the influence of an illicit drug (e.g., by chance, a blood test), not only can you be charged with being under the influence of that drug, you will be charged with illegal possession of that drug. Police can subpoena hospital blood test results. Glad you nipped it in the bud my friend. I know (remember) what you've had to deal with.:yep:

[Platapus]

Isn't that a federal law, Wern?

21 U.S.C Section 829
21 U.S.C Section 301 et seq.

Those are just two federal laws. Each state has, of course, their own set of laws. Many states have laws about what is called "legend drugs" which means that it is illegal to give someone else ANY prescribed drug (even if it is not a controlled substance in itself).