How Far Will We Go?

500 years ago, if you started acting strange -- talking to invisible people, washing your hands obsessively, cutting yourself -- they took you to the priest. The problem was assumed to be spiritual.

100 years ago, the same behavior would land you in the couch of your friendly neighborhood psychoanalyst. The problem was assumed to the psychological.

Today, the same behavior (or even something far less dramatic) can be remedied at the local pharmacist. The problem is chemical.

Do you realize that we now have pills for shyness, impotence, overactive bladder, insomnia, sadness, short attention spans, and "restless legs syndrome." (Did I forget anything?)

I'm sorry, but what was that last one?
"Restless legs syndrome?"

(I'm sure this is a very real disorder. I'm just appalled at the endless proliferation of pharmaceuticals. )

What's next?