By: Linda Sapadin
I have no trouble giving my time to these reporters, for it not only helps them write a better story, it also helps me educate the public.However, last week two interviews left me more upset than I would have liked and got me wondering about "the making of a disorder."Let me explain:I spoke to a reporter from a major TV news channel who wanted to know whether chronic lateness was a "real" disorder. "A real disorder; what do you mean by that," I asked. "You know," she said, "a disorder that is a legitimate problem and will be protected under the American Disabilities Act so that one can get special dispensation for being chronically late.""You're kidding," I replied. "No, I'm not," she said. "We want to know if this is more than a habit. We want to know if it is a disorder.""Ah," I thought, "the making of another disorder for economic or political gain."I was particularly piqued by this reporter's request because only an hour earlier I had done a print interview for a major health magazine concerning the prevalence of anxiety disorder. "Despite what the statistics seem to say," I commented, "anxiety disorder is overdiagnosed. "Why?" she questioned me. "Because," I answered, "you must have a diagnosis from the DSM IV (the psychiatric bible) if you submit your psychotherapy visit to your health insurance company for payment."Hence, if you have a problem, such as: "I often feel stressed out, or on edge.""The conflict between my spouse and myself makes me tense.""My kids are driving me crazy.""I have trouble concentrating or sleeping.""I often feel irritable.""I sometimes feel empty or lonely inside.""I'm shy and nervous when I'm with other people."It's a very good chance that you will be diagnosed with "generalized anxiety disorder" or "adjustment disorder with anxiety." Why? Not necessarily because you truly have a "disorder" but because for economic reasons, you need a diagnosis and these particular ones are relatively innocuous and ubiquitous. After all, who doesn't experience anxiety?However, if you refuse to view demanding, difficult, troublesome, complicated or challenging situations in life as necessarily indicative of a mental illness or an emotional disorder, then be prepared to foot your own bill for psychotherapy. Insurance companies do not recognize life's predicaments, relationship issues, emotional quandaries, stage of life challenges or family conflict as their obligation. They pay only if you have a mental illness (a.k.a emotional disorder). So an emotional disorder you will have.Some "mental illnesses" (like homosexuality) disappear when they are no longer politically expedient. Others emerge as our political and social climate changes. Perhaps a year from now, you and I will hear a groundbreaking story about a guy who is suing his company for discrimination because he was fired for being chronically late. He will have an attorney who brings in expert witnesses who will testify about the "imbalanced time disorder." He may very well collect seven figures for emotional distress resulting from his being unfairly fired. And one more "'mental disorder" will be added to the latest edition of the DSM bible.
Linda Sapadin, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice who works with individuals, families and couples. Copyright © 2003
