‘Commentators argue that, unlike physical disease, mental health diagnoses are typically not based on tests like blood work or scans. Rather, they stem from the standardized categorization of behaviours and other symptoms. The challenge, they suggest, is that once someone is “labelled” with a particular diagnosis, they may mistakenly believe they have an inherent biological flaw - which can ironically hinder their recovery,’ says Ann-Louise Graham.
A psychiatrist recently warned that an incorrect mental health diagnosis can be as harmful as no diagnosis at all, responding to remarks by Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, who suggested doctors are over-diagnosing mental health conditions. Streeting’s comments sparked significant reaction in the national media, with mental health charities cautioning the need for extreme care when approaching this subject.
Streeting’s comments have undoubtedly polarized opinions
Streeting’s comments have undoubtedly polarized opinions, but this may be for the wrong reasons. The Health Secretary has pledged 8,500 more mental health staff to tackle an ever-increasing problem, including support for people he says are being “written off.” However, some commentators suggest that what Streeting is really talking about is not over-diagnosis, but over-medicalisation. And this debate, I believe, represents a missed opportunity to address a potential cause of the problem - the medicalisation of our emotional issues.
READ MORE: It’s time to start having uncomfortable conversations about mental health
The distinction between over-diagnosis and over-medicalisation is significant. The term “diagnosis” clearly represents a medicalised approach to treating mental distress. However, professors from the University of Essex, UCL, the UN, and the World Health Organization have all expressed concerns over a global trend of overusing medication to treat mental health problems. They argue that this can actually hinder addressing the root causes of people’s emotional difficulties, such as socioeconomic factors. And reframes normal, meaningful emotions like sadness, grief, and anxiety as illnesses.
Dr. Becky Howie, a general practitioner, transformative coach, and founder of Maldodlife, says GPs primarily interact with people experiencing what she describes as lower-end mental health issues, though these individuals still grapple with significant distress. However, she notes that GPs have little time to thoroughly explore a person’s life circumstances. “The NHS [is] currently very focused on the biological side of it and quickly giving an antidepressant, giving a drug… because we simply don’t have the capacity to really dig into that entire holistic, full person picture of what’s going on.”
READ MORE: Hallucinogens can be used to treat poor mental health, but for Christians it’s not that simple
Commentators argue that, unlike physical disease, mental health diagnoses are typically not based on tests like blood work or scans. Rather, they stem from the standardized categorization of behaviours and other symptoms. The challenge, they suggest, is that once someone is “labelled” with a particular diagnosis, they may mistakenly believe they have an inherent biological flaw - which can ironically hinder their recovery.
Dr Howie agrees that overmedicalisation risks disempowering people, “I think we have created a world where we don’t ever expect to have discomfort or distress and because [of that] our resilience has disappeared.”
Despite UK guidelines that prefer psychological interventions as the first line of treatment for depression, antidepressant prescriptions have reportedly risen by 46% over the past seven years. In England alone, around 8.7 million people now take antidepressants, half of whom are long-term users.
As Christians, how should we approach the issue of providing help to those in distress?
As Christians, how should we approach the issue of providing help to those in distress? The Bible has a long history of addressing our emotional states. The Psalms are replete with poetry and songs expressing emotional distress, offering an example of how we can engage with God during times of inner turmoil. This raises an important question - should we strive to overcome our emotions, or experience them as a way to gain insight into our “inner man,” as the Bible describes? Interestingly, even secular research acknowledges that mental distress often represents meaningful reactions to stressful life circumstances.
READ MORE: How dwelling on scripture ‘flicks off the worry-switch’
As Christians, we may sometimes see our struggles with difficult emotions as evidence of a lack of faith. However, these emotions actually represent an opportunity to turn to God and examine our hearts and souls. Clearly excessive or unhelpful emotions may require medical attention and wise counsel, and it’s important to always rule out any underlying health issues.
However, if experts are correct, the concern should not be overdiagnosis, but rather the overmedicalization of our emotions. This is crucial, as it is through grappling with our difficult emotions before God that we can come to know God and gain deeper self-understanding. Indeed, the risk in overmedicating our emotions is arguably that we may label as illness what is a crucial part of the human experience.
Medical Disclaimer: Any information provided here is not a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of your doctor or healthcare provider. You must not rely on any information provided as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider.
No comments yet