Reply to comment

     Although this is a cavalier perspective on depression, if I could enjoy a European cruise for a few years paid for by my health insurance, I just might pretend to have depression. David's question about how our society would feel about some individuals being "productive" and others healing themselves, either physically or mentally, for prolonged periods of time seems to bring us back to our original discussion concerning the differences between physical and mental illnesses. 

     If a member of my community was in a terrible accident and my tax money was used to reattach a limb or if it's used for a child who is trapped in bed with leukemia, I am okay with that.  And I believe most people would be as well.  I don't know how I feel about my money being used for a European cruise for someone who lost their spouse 5 years ago but still doesn't sleep and says he has thoughts of killing himself.  Perhaps because mental illnesses, due to our smaller body of knowledge and its less quantifiable symptoms, are easier to mimic and people can manipulate the system better. The symptoms listed in the DSM are not the chemical imbalances recent studies have shown to be linked to depression but symptoms such as changes in weight, changes in hours slept and other symptoms that a person can easily control or lie about. But I understand the hesitancy many feel about the recent change in the health care system to treat physical and mental illnesses the same. Yes, we want everyone healthy and reenergized but to what extent can mental illnesses open the system to abuse? No one wants to manipulate the system when the treatment is unpleasant like electric shock therapy but when it's therapy or just "time off," the incentive for lying is high.