I am beginning to think that a huge part of medicalizing psycological probelms is really about getting people to accept a life that has been imposed on them that leaves them profoundly unhappy, hopeless and unfulfilled.
A stark example: my employer has decided to outsource all of technology and as many other functions as possible to India. We have all been informed that most of us will be unemployed by the end of the year. They are also following up in all corporate communications about how "transitions can be hard" and "mental health is important" offering online counseling and the like.
I think this is partly their way of cleansing their own hands "we know some very bad outcomes for some people are going to result from this, but how can it be our fault when we offered them resources to help with their mental health?"
The other part is individualizing the problem: "yes losing your job can be a challenge but it's really about what's between your own two ears."
Finally, mental health is an industry, arguably one that is providing services principally to other businesses ("you can do what ever you want to your workforce and we will fix it in their heads").
By the way I remember some of those drug addiction studies that showed lab rats choosing heroin over food until they starve being criticized because the parameters of being a lab rat trapped in a glass box under harsh lights may have something to do with the rat's state of mind.
I'm guessing that management wasn't one of the functions selected for offshoring - funny how the Indians are always better at every function except that.
Yes one part is definitely pushing people past natural limits and then drugging them to try and extend their limits.
I think another is a privileged perspective - to a tenured university researcher with a low stress life, or a wealthy doctor, they may feel that "the program" has worked fine for them. So they can't imagine how the program has led another to a life of misery.
A stark example: my employer has decided to outsource all of technology and as many other functions as possible to India. We have all been informed that most of us will be unemployed by the end of the year. They are also following up in all corporate communications about how "transitions can be hard" and "mental health is important" offering online counseling and the like.
I think this is partly their way of cleansing their own hands "we know some very bad outcomes for some people are going to result from this, but how can it be our fault when we offered them resources to help with their mental health?"
The other part is individualizing the problem: "yes losing your job can be a challenge but it's really about what's between your own two ears."
Finally, mental health is an industry, arguably one that is providing services principally to other businesses ("you can do what ever you want to your workforce and we will fix it in their heads").
By the way I remember some of those drug addiction studies that showed lab rats choosing heroin over food until they starve being criticized because the parameters of being a lab rat trapped in a glass box under harsh lights may have something to do with the rat's state of mind.