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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
The DSM and its changing definitions is another topic. Like I said, the classification of mental illness is always in flux, always changing.
When was homosexuality finally removed from the DSM as a mental illness? The 60's or 70's?
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There's no doubt that psychiatry has a spotty history--as does Western Medicine more generally. But the fact is, you can't treat bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or major depression with cognitive therapy, or better coping skills. The treatments we have are the best available with what we now know--and there are people who need treatment right now, who without treatment could suffer serious adverse consequences or even death.
You would advocate that we withhold that treatment until we know more? Fine. I wouldn't. I think the best thing is to treat the illnesses we know using the treatments that work, and hope that in the future we will understand these illnesses better and develop even better treatments. In the meantime, you use the tools that you have to address the pressing problems of today.