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#1 |
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FFR Player
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Why are some things like ADD, alcoholism, obesity, and OCD considered diseases? ADD (and OCD) to me seems like a behavioral pattern, not a disease. When did things like this stop being part of someones personality and start being diseases? I've heard alcoholism called a disease and this confuses me. An addiction is a chemical dependancy but is still part of the way a person behaves. They stop being alcoholics by will power, not their immune system. Obesity is a side effect of overeating. Both are easily preventable by something called self-control but people call obesity a disease and say theres an "epidemic" (especially in America). You don't suddenly catch 20 pounds like a winter cold.
All these things seem to be part of who people are and how they act, but they are being singled out as diseases. Am I missing something? or are people simply narrowing down what a person "should be" with these terms. With each new disease people assume that they shouldnt be that way. Soon there will be a name and disease for every quirk, imperfection, and oddity in the human personality. And we will all get treatment and medication because we think there is something wrong with us. Turning the bulk of humanity into one boring pot of crap. All because other people say there is omething wrong with us. *phew* ok im done ranting. I'm gonna go take my Ritilin and go to an AA meeting. Tell me how you guys feel. |
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#2 |
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I, for one, see exactly where you're coming from. I think all these "diseases" of which you speak (and then some, such as depression) are purely psychological. They should be treated in a psychologists office rather than a doctor's. Granted, I don't understand these problems and have absolutely no comprehension as to how someone else could; I'm not obese, depressed, ADD, etc. However, I don't care how many depressed and fat people say that they can't help it because they have a "disease" or some valid chemical imbalance, I am going to think that they are seeking out an excuse to blame for their own weaknesses.
I was thinking about this just the other day. This discussion could easily turn philosophical when you consider "what is the mind?". Do you think your mind/brain can be detailed solely by chemical reactions? If so, I can understand that if you feel sad you can just go get the right medications to stimulate the chemicals related to happiness. Personally, I think there's something transcendental about the mind, so I don't buy that argument. I think everyone is in control of their own minds, which is why I can get pretty irritated about stuff like this. I put much stock in the idea of personal responsibility, so that's why I'm as confused as you are, Kleptic. --Guido http://andy.mikee385.com |
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#3 |
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FFR Player
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Wow. Okay...time for ayanepuck to share more personal information!
As someone who was diagnosed as clinically depressed at age 13, I know what it is like to be sad and think that you have no control over the issue. However...ahem....Little did I know that truthfully, the problem is not that one is constantly sad, but rather that one enjoys wallowing in sadness. I found that I enjoyed finding problems and making people feel sorry for me....I know, that is sick, (at least I think so) but for some reason I needed so much attention at all times, that I let myself be sad. I cut...most of the time on my arms, where the cuts and/or scars could be seen by others. These days, however, I look down at my arms and just feel resentment towards myself for defacing my body in such a fashion, all for attention. I sincerely think that people who say that things like depression, OCD (which I also had...I had this thing with the number three...it was odd) and ADD (you guessed it, I "have" that as well) are diseases, are sadly mistaken. The only reason I think this way is because I have been there, done that, been on every medication known to man, and I wasn't truly happy until I decided that I did not want to live this way any longer. I can choose to think about things that make me sad constantly, and thus be unhappy all the time, or I can choose to be happy, not worry about things I can't change, and live in the here and now. Being happy = rockin face awesome. Another point I have about this is the fact that I know I am not a very stong person emotionally..and if I can pull myself out of a 6 year rut, anyone can. It is all a matter of what is inside one's head. I agree completely with anyone who says these problems are purely psychological...the only difference between Guido and me: I have been there. I am not saying that everyone is capable pull oneself out of depression or anxiety problems, but I am saying it is completely possible, and it can be done if one has the desire to live life to the fullest and be happy. |
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#4 |
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FFR Player
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 16
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Hmm...that's a good point you bring up.
I believe that obesity should not be considered a disease only because people can't control themselves. I don't know...to me, it seems like what constitutes a disease and what doesn't is becoming more and more blurred. I don't have any of these psychological diseases, but I live with two people who suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder. It's something that can be controlled with medication, but when none of them want to take their medication, they have no control over what they do. It just...happens. I don't know. It really is all complicated. But, I guess they would be called diseases because they target the brain and the way it works. Perhaps we can get someone in here who knows a little bit more about the criteria for defining a disease. ^_^; Sabina
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In a dream I was lifted up. Borne from the darkness Above rivers of fire. On wings soft as the wind. What\'s happened to the world? Is everything sad going to come untrue? ~ \"The Eagles\" by J.R.R. Tolkien |
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#5 |
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FFR Player
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Sabina, I can see from where you are coming, I really can, but bi-polar disorder is nothing more than what some doctors refer to (not all, because the term is viewed as not being PC) as manic depression. It is still depression, and still inside their heads, and therefore can be controlled by a person's self-control. People rely too much on giving a name to their problems, rather than making the extra effort to fix them.
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#6 | |
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FFR Player
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 9
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i think people need to realize that the american culture surrounds themselves with excuses to feel at peace with a defect that they might have when most of the time it it the their own doing. im not saying that people with a character flaw or someone that is overweight shouldnt be happy with themselves but i am saying that they should be happy with themselves because who they are and not what some "professional" at a university was paid to study and tell the american society. recently "obesity" passed up smoking as the #1 cause of death in america. its kinda screwy that in in europe it is somewhere around #6 (dont quote me on that i havent seen statistics in a long time) but i know that the culture doesnt even worry about it because the culture naturally eats healthier. |
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#7 |
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FFR Player
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Right. Calling it a disease is just a way to make people not feel so bad about their condition.
"Oh I have a disease! It can't be my fault so i'll go on living like a sloth. Whew, this isn't so bad" Instead of... "Oh god, you mean I have to fix this crap? How the hell am I supposed to do that?! WHAT THE HELL!?! I CAN'T EAT CRISCO ANYMORE!? OH MY GOD! I'M GOING TO FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. I'M NOT GIVING UP MY PRECIOUS OH NO! OH NO I'M NOT!" Something along those lines.
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GB CHALLENGE IS HOMOSEXUAL ARE YOU HOMOSEXUAL? I THINK SO
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#8 |
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FFR Player
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 9
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im not saying that all fat people can do something about because all people are different im just saying that probably 70 percent of people stopped filling their faces with big macs and shit like frozen burritos there wouldnt be a problem with obesity in america. but what it really boils down to is that people are lazy and they go to taco bell instead of sitting at home and cooking a well rounded meal. like a hamburger with a side of broccoli and a glass of milk... shit im hungry
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#9 |
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FFR Player
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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ADD is a disease, a disease can be considered a mental condition, and since it it passed genetically, it is a disease. alchaholism isn't a disease since when we were cavemen we didn't have alcahol...
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Trigun, Bebop, Family Guy, and Futurama Rock! Holy Grail rocks too... Please help to stop Microsoft, soon they will have \"Microsoft For Nuclear Weapons\". Then the world will be doomed! |
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#10 |
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FFR Player
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the "disease" of ADD isnt passed genetically because its a mental condition that is developed not congenial (is that the right word?). You can pass on the genes that create a tendency for these diseases but not the disease itself. By the way, just beacuse we didnt have alcoholism when we were still cave men doesnt mean it isnt a disease. Ebola wasnt around then, and it sure as hell is a disease. My mom firmly believes that alcohlism is a disease too, since she and and about half the family has it. I still believe it isnt a disease but i cannot deny the fact that heredity can pass on the genes that make a person more susceptable to it.
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The gods envy us. Our short time on this world makes everything more beautiful because we know it won\'t last. They have eternity, We only have now. |
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#11 | |
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FFR Player
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