As you no doubt gathered from the reading this week, there is no shortage of signs that indicate the pervasiveness of mental illness in our country. It could, perhaps, be argued that mental illness has become an epidemic in the U. S., thus suggesting that it is more common now than ever before. But, is it? Or, is it that our society has “medicalized” conditions/behaviors (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, etc.) as a means to label behaviors and symptoms seen as outside the norm and justify the use of pharmaceuticals to control them?

In a post of 150-175 words share your thoughts on the questions posed above. If possible, support your points with evidence from the literature.