Undaunted, DSM writers and drugmakers (but I repeat myself) then declared that depression was "progressive," and "chronic," locking in patients and profits for life and with fear marketing. Did anyone remember that before direct-to-consumer drug ads, depression was considered self-limiting, sometimes not even requiring medication? Nope.
Now thanks to the "grassroots" "patient" group NAMI, anxiety and depression have graduated to "mental illness," spawning an avalanche of "let's talk; we'll listen" medical pill pushers and the term "behavioral health.
Now, a full fourth of US women are on antidepressants. Yes, you read that right.
The Bonanza Continues With New Revenue Streams
When the depression gravy train stopped escalating, drugmakers came up with the idea--it's not depression it's "adult ADHD" and "bipolar disorder"--maybe both!
You don't outgrow ADHD drug copywriters furiously wrote not wanting to lose their children market when kids got older and eager to snare adults as well; the symptoms of "bipolar disorder" can look like everyday life they typed with dollar signs in their eyes.
Despite the violent side effects of psych drugs (mass shooters), the physiological side effects which harm and even kill and the "what-me-worry" apolitical and apathetic mien of a drugged brain, no venture has been as good for drugmakers as its psych sell. Hospital wings, legions of pharma-funded doctors, entire practices and of course Wall $treet are predicated on it. And to think it all started with recasting simple anxiety as depression.
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