Christopher Dowrick and Allen Frances write, in an article for the British Medical Journal, that though the prevalence of major depressive disorder in the U.S. has remained static, its diagnosis has doubled in 20 years. “Turning grief and other life stresses into mental disorders represents medical intrusion on personal emotions. It adds unnecessary medication and costs, and distracts attention and resources from those who really need them,” they conclude.
Dowrick, C., Frances, A.; Medicalising unhappiness: new classification of depression risks more patients being put on drug treatment from which they will not benefit. British Medical Journal. December, 2013. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj
Of further interest:
Depression ‘over-diagnosed’ with drugs dished out to patients who are simply sad or unable to sleep, warns expert (Mail Online)
In mental health, ins’t all diagnosis over diagnosis?
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