'Life being stressful is not an illness' - GPs on mental health over-diagnosis

"Hundreds of GPs across England have told the BBC they think mental health problems are being over-diagnosed. One commonly-held view by family doctors, our research suggests, is that society tends to over-medicalise normal life stresses. But they're also concerned about how hard it is to get help for patients with mental health conditions."

"Of the 752 GPs who took part in our research, 442 said they believed that over-diagnosis is a concern. More said mental health problems were over-diagnosed by a little than over-diagnosed by a lot. Eighty-one GPs who responded felt that mental health problems were under-diagnosed. Over-diagnosis of mental health issues was far from their only concern. Many GPs also told us they were worried about a lack of help for patients."

"One of the most common themes to emerge can be summed up in this remark from a GP: "Life being stressful is not an illness." Another commented: "As a society we seem to have forgotten that life can be tough - a broken heart or grief is painful and normal, and we have to learn to cope." Yet another argued that giving people labels such as anxiety or depression "over-medicalises life and emotional difficulties", and that this was taking resources away from people with severe needs."

Hundreds of GPs across England report concerns that mental health problems are being over-diagnosed and that society tends to over-medicalise normal life stresses. Many GPs also report difficulty accessing appropriate services for patients with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. Of 752 responding GPs, 442 said over-diagnosis was a concern while 81 felt under-diagnosis occurred. Several GPs said more cases were mildly over-diagnosed than greatly over-diagnosed. Anonymous comments state that stress, grief and broken hearts are normal life experiences, that labels like anxiety or depression can over-medicalise emotional difficulties, and that resources may be diverted from people with severe needs. A small number of GPs expressed strong criticism of some patients' behaviour.

Read at www.bbc.com