Is Psychology Science?

Psychology is using scientific methods to reach conclusions. Up to and until we can know that there are empirical conclusions to be found, I would call it science.It would be lovely to just know what is 'wrong' with you. As Zhimbo said, you may feel uneasy about a diagnosis not grounded in fact. I agree with you, especially when it comes to uniformly medicating people without certainty. It can be disastrous to jump to conclusions, and unfortunately many have suffered at the hands of incorrect diagnostics throughout history.Because many people just want a quick fix, psycholgy could easily become quackery. For now, it is a respectable and necessary study that could potentially have great benefit. So, yes, it is a science, and no, it's application may be at this point 'not an exact science'. I believe RAZD is pointing out that, through the combining of other sciences, we maybe able one day to make an accurate diagnosis of mental disorders without relying so much on the symptoms as guides. It is possbible that we could find no scientific/factual basis for a diagnosis.Edited by anastasia, : No reason given.

JustinC, I think that you and I are probably 'weirdos' to think about these things, but I understand you completely.My family has a history of depression which they are constantly projecting onto me. EVERYTHING I talk about is a symptom.I feel I have more of an anxiety disorder if anything, because I DO get panic attacks. Sis was diagnosed with a mild epilepsy for things which I experience as well. The 'things' could also be linked to stress or self-induced anxiety.My point is, I KNOW what is wrong with me. I need a freakin' night out more than once a month, I need to get some things into perspective, stop being a perfectionist, and just chill. I don't want to be medicated for a condition that may honestly be due to externals.

I volunteer that for me, the difference lies in whether a person MUST be treated, or would simply benefit from treatment.Going back to my example of stress, there are a number of treatments available. It may indeed be proven that these medicines have results, but I would rather not be given medication for a problem which may be solved by better organization and prioritizing in life. I suppose I am holistic in that regards, rather go to a spa than take a medicine with possible side affects.Stress is a disorder, sure. Anxiety interferes with life as it could be. I would not categorize something as disease unless it were incurable via other means, because I don't relish the idea of making excuses and being subject to the opinions of others. I think that being 'diagnosed' with something is misunderstood by many, and the people in our lives may use this an excuse to blame everything on the 'sick' person. I have never been diagnosed, never been to the psychiatrist, but even a lay diagnosis gets me in trouble with people who want to stereotype or place fault on me.