Protests against drugs/DSM

. Differential Diagnostic analysis is the underlying science for the DSM. Drug companies certainly do support and, I am sure, affect some outcomes. However, conspiracy theories surrounding this relationship fly in the face of the facts.. We are well-informed as to this relationship as well as the outcomes of this work. It is not a secret. What is secret is the case files of the contributing doctors. This has a rational basis in doctor-patient confidentiality. If the entire case file of a given doctor is revealed, the public now has a way of tracing every diagnosis to each patient. I doubt we want that.. As for the DSM's basis in medicine, psychiatry is a system that is based on outcomes, not on perfect scientific diagnosis. No amount of my medical history (Hx) will reveal my relationship issues or my explosive temper other than as described. Therefore a Differential Diagnosis is used.. Using me as an example, we see that I was Dx ADHD very early in life. I was actually one of the case studies done as the hypothesis about ADHD was developed and proven. This was done in my case by administering different doses of both downers and/or uppers while having EEG. This then was added to the information that was eventually used to create the DSM entry.. I doubt that there was alot of profit to the drug companies for using these drugs in trials like this. What I do know is that drug companies used this information to develop specific formulations of medication to combat the symptoms while research is done on the underlying causes. Unfortunately the research is not making headway. Far more cases were Dx'd than existed based on behavior. If you didn't follow the connection there, you are not alone. If we are Dx'ing far more cases than science supports, this means we are NOT coming closer to finding the underlying problem.. Later in life, many of these former ADD patients seem to develop BiPolar. The fact that there are beepers who weren't treated for ADD (and vice versa) suggests that treatment for ADD isn't the underlying cause of BP (therefore this is not the fault of the drug company). EEG shows distinct similarities in brain function.. In the Mind Freedom piece, they admit that public pressure forced a scientific inquiry into Dx that resulted in a revision, yet the organization proclaims loudly that there is no public input into this scientific manual. By comparison (analogy) one might demand input on a history textbook by the uneducated student who has yet to read it.. If you have lasted thus far in my thesis, I offer that the agenda of Mind Freedom, while laudable, is misguided in that it could easily result in setting back research substantially. My deep concern lies in the possibility that people who need medicine may stop taking it due to paranoia (a natural part of mental illness). Their agenda includes the premise that since we are a natural product and 'born this way', there should be no attempt to alter this state. I find this faulty because the actions of the mentally ill can result in injury to many more people. I am reminded that in many recent shootings at various institutions across our country the perpatrator needed to be on or STAY ON their meds.. My friends who read this, I know you are few, may wonder why I remain on my meds despite my natural urge to go off them. Wouldn't all Beepers enjoy having another 'high'? Too bad that high comes with debilitating problems. Take the meds. Survive.