Are You on the Spectrum?
A quick 'drive in' diagnosis should set you straight. Not.
Welcome to Thursday — Pop-Up day at the Lighthouse and this popped out to me.
In Australia, ever since the big push several years ago for increases in mental health treatment funding and various government programs, there has been a huge uptick in clinics diagnosing psychiatric disorders. One can even get a diagnosis on the phone as long as you part with the required dollars which can run into the many thousands.
Suffering from sincerity deficit disorder….I am the impossible man. A man who is entirely well…
Yes the video is disturbingly funny. It’s an excerpt from the brilliant telly series Patrick Melrose. Here the gentleman professes to be “entirely well” and then drops dead at the end. I think all that stress around judgement morphing into anger pushed him over the edge.
Anyway, in Western countries in general, it’s quite fashionable these days to be on the spectrum.
I have a friend, a psychiatrist, who explained to me how New Yorkers are finding a cure for their various mental illnesses. They take a boat across to Paris to live (not sure why a boat but it sounds relaxing).
The spectrum can be made up of many things. A sprinkle of autism, a dash of ADHD mixed with some OCD and you’re there. You’re no longer normal but have a label to carry around. Ok, so I will give up being facetious from here on out…
Apparently social media is full of people celebrating their newly discovered disorder. (I say apparently because I don’t do social media as such). Many say such exuberant announcements can make light of the seriousness of psychiatric disorders that millions are experiencing.
There is no doubt to the great benefits of someone getting a professional diagnosis for a mental illness that has plagued them for years. I know people personally who have transformed their lives with such a determination and proper medication.
But to be able to get such a crucially important diagnosis, such as ADHD, on the phone with a questionnaire seems preposterous. Apparently there are clinics in Australia advertising for psychiatrists offering $900,000 salaries. That’s a racket. Such processes lead to the misuse and abuse of drugs and can be a nightmare for patients.
The world seems to get loopier by the day. But I still love it!
Best to you
CJ Wild
I love putting out Lighthouse33 so thanks for reading! We are all on some kind of remarkable quest and my wholehearted goal is to provide a little illumination on your journey.
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