No, I don't believe they are.



If you go to a medical doctor with something that concerns you, they will tell you if it's a genuine medical problem or tell you that it's perfectly normal and send you on your way.



Most psychologists, however, will tell you that you DO have a problem that needs to be fixed. They'll recommend treatments and therapies that only they can provide to you. More often than not they will diagnose a "Personality Disorder", which in order to treat will require at least one whole year of therapy.



There are PDs that people do suffer with, in the same way that there are medical illnesses etc., but what most people don't realise/know is that a hell of a lot are 'invented' by the very people that get paid to 'treat' them.



For example, the Manual that describes the symptoms of mental illnesses is updated on a regular basis and every time it is, several PDs are added. The next addition due out has new PDs such as;

Adult Intermittent Aggression Disorder. In laymans terms, temper tantrums!



There are at least five, new PDs of this ilk that are going to be in the latest Diagnostic Manuals.



There are some excellent psychologists who are very good at treating the genuine PDs and do help enormously. However, the vast majority of them play along with, and contribute to, the PD 'scam' that has seen a massive increase in this area, that whilst providing them with constant 'therapy fodder', and the subsequent income/employment, has had a detrimental effect on those who are genuinely suffering.



