The Medicalization of Society : On the Transformation of Human Conditions Into Treatable Disorders

Over the past half-century, the social terrain of health and illness has been transformed. What were once considered normal human events and common human problems -- birth, aging, menopause, alcoholism, and obesity -- are now viewed as medical conditions. For better or worse, medicine increasingly permeates aspects of daily life.Building on more than three decades of research, Peter Conrad explores the changing forces behind this trend with case studies of short stature, social anxiety, "male menopause," erectile dysfunction, adult ADHD, and sexual orientation. He examines the emergence of and changes in medicalization, the consequences of the expanding medical domain, and the implications for health and society. He finds in recent developments -- such as the growing number of possible diagnoses and biomedical enhancements -- the future direction of medicalization. Conrad contends that the impact of medical professionals on medicalization has diminished. Instead, the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries, insurance companies and HMOs, and the patient as consumer have become the major forces promoting medicalization. This thought-provoking study offers valuable insight into not only how medicalization got to this point but also how it may continue to evolve. (April 2010) Over The Past Half-century, The Social Terrain Of Health And Illness Has Been Transformed. What Were Once Considered Normal Human Events And Common Human Problems -- Birth, Aging, Menopause, Alcoholism, And Obesity -- Are Now Viewed As Medical Conditions. For Better Or Worse, Medicine Increasingly Permeates Aspects Of Daily Life. Building On More Than Three Decades Of Research, Peter Conrad Explores The Changing Forces Behind This Trend With Case Studies Of Short Stature, Social Anxiety, Male Menopause, Erectile Dysfunction, Adult Adhd, And Sexual Orientation. He Examines The Emergence Of And Changes In Medicalization, The Consequences Of The Expanding Medical Domain, And The Implications For Health And Society. He Finds In Recent Developments -- Such As The Growing Number Of Possible Diagnoses And Biomedical Enhancements -- The Future Direction Of Medicalization. Medicalization : Context, Characteristics, And Changes -- Extension : Men And The Medicalization Of Andropause, Baldness, And Erectile Dysfunction -- Expansion : From Hyperactive Children To Adult Adhd -- Enhancement : Human Growth Hormone And The Temptations Of Biomedical Enhancement -- Continuity : Homosexuality And The Potential For Remedicalization -- Measuring Medicalization : Categories, Numbers, And Treatment -- The Shifting Engines Of Medicalization -- Medicalization And Its Discontents. Peter Conrad. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [171]-196) And Index.

Over the past half-century, the social terrain of health and illness has been transformed. What were once considered normal human events and common human problems—birth, aging, menopause, alcoholism, and obesity—are now viewed as medical conditions. For better or worse, medicine increasingly permeates aspects of daily life.

Building on more than three decades of research, Peter Conrad explores the changing forces behind this trend with case studies of short stature, social anxiety, "male menopause," erectile dysfunction, adult ADHD, and sexual orientation. He examines the emergence of and changes in medicalization, the consequences of the expanding medical domain, and the implications for health and society. He finds in recent developments—such as the growing number of possible diagnoses and biomedical enhancements—the future direction of medicalization.

Conrad contends that the impact of medical professionals on medicalization has diminished. Instead, the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries, insurance companies and HMOs, and the patient as consumer have become the major forces promoting medicalization. This thought-provoking study offers valuable insight into not only how medicalization got to this point but also how it may continue to evolve.

Over the past half-century, the social terrain of health and illness has been transformed. What were once considered normal human events and common human problems -- birth, aging, menopause, alcoholism, and obesity -- are now viewed as medical conditions. For better or worse, medicine increasingly permeates aspects of daily life. Building on more than three decades of research, Peter Conrad explores the changing forces behind this trend with case studies of short stature, social anxiety, ''male menopause,'' erectile dysfunction, adult ADHD, and sexual orientation. He examines the emergence of and changes in medicalization, the consequences of the expanding medical domain, and the implications for health and society. He finds in recent developments -- such as the growing number of possible diagnoses and biomedical enhancements -- the future direction of medicalization. Conrad contends that the impact of medical professionals on medicalization has diminished. Instead, the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries, insurance companies and HMOs, and the patient as consumer have become the major forces promoting medicalization. This thought-provoking study offers valuable insight into not only how medicalization got to this point but also how it may continue to evolve. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 14 PART I: CONCEPTS......Page 16 1 Medicalization: Context, Characteristics, and Changes......Page 18 PART II: CASES......Page 36 2 Extension: Men and the Medicalization of Andropause, Baldness, and Erectile Dysfunction......Page 38 3 Expansion: From Hyperactive Children to Adult ADHD......Page 61 4 Enhancement: Human Growth Hormone and the Temptations of Biomedical Enhancement......Page 85 5 Continuity: Homosexuality and the Potential for Remedicalization......Page 112 PART III: CONSTRAINTS AND CONSEQUENCES......Page 130 6 Measuring Medicalization: Categories, Numbers, and Treatment......Page 132 7 The Shifting Engines of Medicalization......Page 148 8 Medicalization and Its Discontents......Page 161 Notes......Page 180 References......Page 186 B......Page 212 D......Page 213 G......Page 214 K......Page 215 O......Page 216 R......Page 217 W......Page 218 Z......Page 219

Building on more than three decades of research, Peter Conrad explores the forces behind the trend to treat what were once commonly considered normal human conditions as medical ailments. Using case studies of short stature, social anxiety, male menopause, erectile dysfunction, adult ADHD, and sexual orientation, he examines the emergence of and changes in medicalization, the consequences of the expanding medical domain, and the implications for health and society. This thought-provoking study offers valuable insights into how medicalization got to this point and where it is heading.