The Growing Debate on Mental Health Diagnoses
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in mental health diagnoses, particularly for conditions such as anxiety and depression. Some argue that this rise reflects a much-needed awareness of mental health struggles, while others claim that mental health conditions are being overdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary medicalisation.
The reality is likely somewhere in the middle. Mental health challenges are real and deserve attention, but we also need to question whether we are too quick to label emotional struggles as clinical conditions. Are we diagnosing illnesses, or are we failing to recognise that people are responding to difficult life events in a natural way?
Are GPs Too Quick to Prescribe Medication?
One of the biggest concerns in the overdiagnosis debate is how quickly medication is prescribed for mental health concerns. Many people who visit their GP with symptoms of anxiety or low mood walk away with a prescription for antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, often without an in-depth conversation about why they feel the way they do.
While medication has its place and can be life-changing for some, it is not always the best or only solution. In many cases, what people truly need is:
✅ A deeper understanding of their emotions – What is triggering their distress?
✅ Healthy coping strategies – How can they manage stress and emotions without relying on medication?
✅ Support in processing life events – Have they had time and space to explore what they’ve been through?
Many mental health challenges stem from life circumstances, stress, or unresolved emotions. If these root causes are not explored, medication becomes a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.
The Impact of Long NHS Waiting Times
Another major issue is the lack of early intervention in mental health care. If people had access to support sooner, many issues could be managed before they develop into more severe conditions. Unfortunately, long waiting times for GP appointments, therapy referrals, and specialist services mean that people often feel stuck, with little choice but to take medication as a first-line treatment.
Early intervention—through therapy, self-help strategies, and lifestyle changes—could prevent many cases of severe anxiety and depression from escalating. Instead of relying solely on diagnosis and medication, we should be asking:
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How can we equip people with the right tools to manage their mental health?
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How can we support emotional well-being in everyday life, rather than waiting until someone reaches breaking point?
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How can we create a system where help is available when it is first needed, rather than months or years down the line?
Mental Health: A Continuum, Not a Fixed State
It’s important to remember that everyone has mental health—just as we all have physical health. There is no clear divide between ‘mentally healthy’ and ‘mentally ill.’ Instead, we all exist on a mental health continuum, where our well-being fluctuates depending on life events, stress, and personal circumstances.
At times, we may struggle due to stress, grief, or trauma, but that does not always mean we have a clinical disorder. There is a crucial difference between:
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Symptoms vs. Conditions – Feeling anxious in a stressful situation is normal; chronic, debilitating anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder.
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Short-Term Stress vs. Long-Term Mental Illness – Struggling after a job loss or relationship breakdown is expected; long-term distress that affects daily life may require professional support.
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A Full Emotional Bucket vs. a Clinical Diagnosis – Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed because we have been dealing with too much at once. Instead of diagnosing a disorder, we need to help people empty their emotional bucket in healthy ways.
Misdiagnosis can occur when normal emotional responses to life challenges are seen as disorders. Instead of immediately labelling someone with depression or anxiety, we need to ask:
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What is happening in their life right now?
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Have they had space to process their emotions?
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Are they using any healthy coping strategies?
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Do they need diagnosis and medication, or do they need support in managing stress?
Modern Life and Mental Health: The Bigger Picture
Beyond individual diagnoses, we must also acknowledge the wider societal factors that are impacting mental health today. Modern life is not set up to support positive mental well-being.
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We are more disconnected than ever. Social isolation and lack of real human connection are contributing to rising rates of loneliness and anxiety.
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The pressure to ‘keep going’ is relentless. Productivity culture makes it hard to rest, recharge, and prioritise well-being.
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We are constantly overstimulated. The digital world bombards us with information, leaving little time for reflection and self-care.
Instead of only focusing on diagnosis and treatment, we need to ask:
✔ How can we create a society that supports mental health rather than damages it?
✔ How can we normalise stress responses without medicalising them?
✔ How can we shift from reactive mental health care to preventative emotional well-being?
A More Ethical and Balanced Approach to Mental Health
As a therapy practice, our goal is not to dismiss genuine mental health conditions but to ensure that people receive the right kind of support—whether that’s therapy, self-help strategies, or professional medical intervention.
Our approach focuses on:
✔ Understanding the root cause of mental health struggles, rather than just treating the symptoms.
✔ Providing real, practical strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
✔ Helping people develop resilience, so they can navigate life’s challenges without immediately feeling they are ‘broken’ or ‘ill.’
✔ Recognising when clinical intervention is necessary, while also ensuring that people do not feel labelled or overmedicalised unnecessarily.
If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, and there is help available—whether that’s through self-care, therapy, or, when necessary, medical treatment.
Final Thoughts: Do We Need to Rethink Mental Health?
The debate around overdiagnosis is not about denying mental health issues—it’s about ensuring we approach them in a way that truly helps people heal. Instead of relying on quick labels and medication, we need to:
✔ Look at the full picture—what has someone been through?
✔ Support early intervention—so issues don’t escalate into long-term conditions.
✔ See mental health as fluid—rather than a rigid ‘healthy vs. ill’ divide.
✔ Recognise that stress, sadness, and anxiety are part of the human experience, not always signs of clinical disorders.
If we shift our focus from overdiagnosis to proactive support, we can help more people navigate life’s challenges with resilience, understanding, and the right kind of help at the right time.
Need Support for Your Mental Health?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need support, we offer therapy tailored to your needs, helping you understand and manage your mental health in a way that makes sense for you.
📞 Book a free consultation today to explore how we can support you on your journey.