[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

First of all, I really think it would be more helpful if instead of the umbrage and righteousness and grievance you often like to exude, you just explained this stuff. A lot of people just don't freakin' get it. Isn't it hard to blame them? They have a completely different life experience from the people they're trying to understand. If the reaction is to come off like anyone who says something ignorant is to treat them like they've just declared their membership in the KKK, it's really going to discourage people from openly talking about these issues. Which, as I said, is the entire point of Bell's initiative.

I don't have a problem with people not knowing and asking questions. I am going to take umbrage with those who make concrete statements that are incorrect, unhelpful, and dangerous.

There is, I think, a problem with people (mis)diagnosing themselves. As I said, I don't know if it's a big enough problem to really be terribly worried about. But if you're in that position, there should be - and hopefully we're getting to this point - nothing preventing you from actually getting a diagnosis and hopefully, some help.

Absolutely. If you're actually seriously concerned that you're dealing with something that's beyond your control, then go see a doctor. I don't even disagree that professionals can misdiagnose people. Some of the diagnostic methods are fairly primitive and can miss things that could be caused by or comorbid with a different, underlying illness.

This is right. However, it's also worth noting that for many people, the drugs really don't work, and for a minority, they actually do have the adverse effects that he mentioned. And if you're a person who's trying to figure out how to help themselves, this kind of uncertainty is just another source of anxiety.

Absolutely, and it's a continuing conversation people need to have with their doctors and medical professionals. If your meds aren't working, then talk to your doctor and try to find a different solution.

The human brain is highly complex. We don't understand it. There seem to be a lot of people who have the qualifications you referred to and still are utterly baffled. Part of the process here is hopefully to advance the science and develop more effective treatments that help a greater proportion of people with fewer drawbacks, and at a faster rate than has historically been the case.

Again, completely agree, but this is why it gets frustrating when people who have zero training in the field speak with certainty about such a complex field. Quite frankly, I'm not even an authority on the subject because I can only speak from what I've learned in dealing directly with medical professionals and my own experiences. I have done some readings on various DSM conditions, as well as a number of academic articles, which is why I'm a lot more confident in trusting the experts.