Saving Normal

What is normal? Normal, like the word love, has no true definition and will differ with every person you ask. Defined in the dictionary normal is “to conform to a particular standard” or “desired pattern”. I believe most people will say a normal person is one whom is free from defect, handicap and mental illness. Medicalization is a social process through which a previously normal human condition whether is be behavioral, physiological or emotional, becomes a medical problem in need of treatment. For example, not long ago being a shy person, “being reserved or having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people”, was common and something most people experienced at some points in their lives. However, now shyness is out the realm of normal and made it’s way into medical books. A shy person may now be one who is suffering from “avoidant personality disorder” or a number of other anxiety-relation mental disorders that has to be treated with antidepressants. In Saving Normal, Dr. Allen Frances argues that a high percentage of people diagnosed with mental illness are actually normal. This widespreasd medicalization of normality is leading to over-treatment and over-medicating of mental health issues. The biggest health threat that we face may be our health-care system.
The Diagnostic and Statitical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM, has become the “bible” for physiatrists. It was first published in 1953 and since then has been revised several times. The DSM is the go to guide for doctors, government and health insurers and also used in the law. Being the chair of the DSM-IV task force, Allen Frances had the inside scoop on how the psychiatric community classified and defined mental disorders and illnesses. He then goes to explain how the newest edition of the DSM causes people to be diagnosed and prescribed drugs when they actually don’t need them. The DSM-V has expanded criteria for diagnosis of certain mental or psychological conditions and