The idea that mental illness is being over-diagnosed

Katie590

It’s hardly surprising that children have mental stress the pressures are far higher than when I was a teen. It’s our generation that put all the extra stress onto children.

Adult suicide is much lower than 1980 (ONS) probably because more help available

We did have pressures when I was a teenager too.

Starting with the 11+, exams every year, GCEs, A levels and whether or not to go to university (few did back then despite their excellent exam results), the Cold War, etc.

We didn't have mobile phones or the internet which cause their own problems.

The difference between the ordinary stresses and pressures that make us feel worried, preoccupied, sad, angry etc and clinical anxiety or depression are significant. I’ve long been irritated by the way these very different experiences are lumped under ‘mental health problems.
Clinical depression/anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia and more, these are mh problems/illnesses that need medical intervention. It diminishes sufferers when some tv reality ‘celeb ‘ ta;is about their mental health when all too often they’re looking for publicity

The arts are important in helping all of us live well. Schools have been cutting subjects not seen as academic enough. The arts have not been valued yet enrich our lives. The benefits of walking in the countryside shouldn’t be underestimated .

I wonder if people realise that having a serious mental health diagnosis can affect getting work and what kind of work you do. As a result of prejudice or rules regarding some jobs.
Pushing for diagnosis in children will affect their working lives and that’s a big mistake to make as a parent.
Years ago, the prevalence of serious mental illness was under 0.5% of the general population, now its blossomed.
I therefore think it has gone up.

“Pushing for a diagnosis in children will affect their working lives and is a big mistake by parents”
This view is less widely held than it used to be, thankfully. Diagnosis opens doors to services, or it would if the government hadn’t devastated them
Often a diagnosis ensures the child is appropriately supported so their education is maintained
It can also help the child or young person understand why some things are difficult for them

The thing that really concerns me is that there oesn't seem to be any sort of "triage" of children awaiting a diagnosis. Although I can see that everyone with autistic traits can be helped by getting a diagnosis & learning how to cope, there is a huge difference between a child who dislikes the feeling of certin fabrics & loud noises, and has mild social differences, & severe auitsm. If your child doesn't speak, won't eat any thing except purple jellybabies, bangs their head when anything disturbs them & bites you when you wash them & clean their teeth, then you both need urgent support & shoud go to the front of the queue for diagnosis. Because so many are "slightly " (sorry) autistic, & there aren't enough resources, the waiting times for these severe cases are terrible.

Iam64

The difference between the ordinary stresses and pressures that make us feel worried, preoccupied, sad, angry etc and clinical anxiety or depression are significant. I’ve long been irritated by the way these very different experiences are lumped under ‘mental health problems.
Clinical depression/anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia and more, these are mh problems/illnesses that need medical intervention. It diminishes sufferers when some tv reality ‘celeb ‘ ta;is about their mental health when all too often they’re looking for publicity

The arts are important in helping all of us live well. Schools have been cutting subjects not seen as academic enough. The arts have not been valued yet enrich our lives. The benefits of walking in the countryside shouldn’t be underestimated .

Yes, there is a significant difference.

valdavi - you’re right of course, some kind of triage needed. The real problem is the lack of services. Our family, like many others,recently pooled finances to have a private psychological assessment of a child. Their parents were turned away because the behaviour didn’t fit the simplistic behaviours indicating autism. No offer of any kind of support with escalating emotional behavioural problems. These are good competent parents, we’re simply told ‘you’re doing all the right things’. The assessment identified key issues relating to school etc. And reassured the child. Worth the money but as the child’s mum said - what do families do who don’t have the knowledge and resources to do what we did.

I think society has gone too far in labelling others or themselves with mental health problems.
Far too many so called celebrities are diagnosing themselves with mental health problems and seem proud to inform the world. which is influencing younger people to do likewise. It seems to be a trend that is popular at the moment.
This obsession with mental health does a great disservice to genuine cases who most need help and support.

Iam64

valdavi - you’re right of course, some kind of triage needed. The real problem is the lack of services. Our family, like many others,recently pooled finances to have a private psychological assessment of a child. Their parents were turned away because the behaviour didn’t fit the simplistic behaviours indicating autism. No offer of any kind of support with escalating emotional behavioural problems. These are good competent parents, we’re simply told ‘you’re doing all the right things’. The assessment identified key issues relating to school etc. And reassured the child. Worth the money but as the child’s mum said - what do families do who don’t have the knowledge and resources to do what we did.

We just muddle our way through, watch our children suffer, when all is needed is some understanding, (wasn't it always?) and resign ourselves to the fact that life is unfair.

MissInterpreted

SheWho

We all get anxious and depressed at times, especially when there's a trigger, such as exams, an interview or some worrying social event where a clash is feared. These things are temporary; thank goodness. There is no need at all to label ourselves as having a mental health issue. Most of the time we just need to get over it.

Wow, clearly you have never suffered from actual clinical depression or anxiety! It's very easy to say people should just 'get over it' - if only it was as simple as that!

I’m sure SheWho didn’t mean clinical depression, just the inner ups and downs nearly all of us experience now and then at worrying times, or before some event or ordeal we’d rather not have to go to or undergo - exams, driving test, medical procedure - or even some big formal do we know we probably won’t enjoy.

So many adults are being diagnosed with ADHD, why? Seems sometimes to be a fashionable tag.

Well, people on here sometimes diagnose a partner who won't do as they're told as "on the spectrum but not diagnosed"

Harmonypuss I've sent you a PM.
Your post struck a chord with me.

Witzend

MissInterpreted

SheWho

We all get anxious and depressed at times, especially when there's a trigger, such as exams, an interview or some worrying social event where a clash is feared. These things are temporary; thank goodness. There is no need at all to label ourselves as having a mental health issue. Most of the time we just need to get over it.

Wow, clearly you have never suffered from actual clinical depression or anxiety! It's very easy to say people should just 'get over it' - if only it was as simple as that!

I’m sure SheWho didn’t mean clinical depression, just the inner ups and downs nearly all of us experience now and then at worrying times, or before some event or ordeal we’d rather not have to go to or undergo - exams, driving test, medical procedure - or even some big formal do we know we probably won’t enjoy.

I think that is the whole point of SheWho's post, that suffering from anxiety or feeling depressed about something is entirely different from diagnosed clinical depression and other mental illnesses which need to be diagnosed by a professional.

I only hope there is now enough support for anyone who is in need. Just from my observations, there does seem to be more awareness of the impact of stress and anxiety but less of the underlying causes. Constant dopamine hits from interaction with social media and UPF have been cited as well of course things such as loneliness, lack of affordable housing, waiting for NHS treatment and world events. This is a time more than ever to be kind to each other, you never know what hidden burdens people are struggling with.

I agree, yellowfox, the over diagnosis of mental conditions is dangerous in many ways. The individual is labelled, and much in their life is compromised. There is also the matter of mental health services being stretched beyond capacity with people waiting far too long for help.

It also means those in need of genuine help have to jostle along with everyone else who has perhaps lesser problems.

MissA you’re correct on the muddling through f0r 3-4 years.
The other thing that bothers me is how quickly parents can be seen as ‘the problem’

Real mental illness is frightening, debilitating and ruins lives.

Iam64

MissA you’re correct on the muddling through f0r 3-4 years.
The other thing that bothers me is how quickly parents can be seen as ‘the problem’

You're correct there.
I have had to be very forthright in saying that I have been pointing out for 2 or 3 years that I felt a little bit of support may have been helpful.
It either never happens, or happens once and disappears into the ether.

Either way, it is too late now for any support from the school.

You’re right Kate, and I know you know that from experience.💐

Surely the current focus on ‘mental health’ began with William and Harry?

Too much pressure is on children now. They shouldn't have a mobile phone until they are 11 or 12 and never in class time at school. School uniforms are cheap now and all schools should have them, the competition and pressure to have the latest trend is too much. Childhood used to last until they went to senior school, they hardly have one now, parents outdoing each other to have the biggest birthday parties, the stress of not being invited. I loved my childhood, you are a long time grown up, now it’s bad news, wars, problems all the time with news feed. The world has got smaller and the problems bigger.

Blaming William and Harry completely ignores the political reality.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health services were always underfunded but the ludicrous austerity introduced by Cameron reduced nhs/public services that used to support children and families to rubble.
Our Sure Start centre ran parenting skills groups. It s closed. Local CAMHS ran excellent well researched support groups, Incredible Years, it no longer has the staff to offer this.
The UK has shameful numbers of children who need support. We can’t afford not to invest in our future

Bump