Don’t Diagnose Me w/ Mental Health Activist Sarah Fay

We are at an all time high of mental illness diagnoses. Some argue the reason is better diagnostic methods, others because we are just increasing in mental un-health. The discussion in this episode is in regards to the prevalence of mental diagnoses and the impact on individuals. In  Brene Brown’s bestselling book, Atlas of the Heart, she outlines 87 different emotions that are in and of themselves, normal and healthy. But when do we go over the line from normal to abnormal? From feeling some depression to being clinically depressed? Having anxiety or an anxiety disorder? Do we need or want an official diagnosis so we can get needed help? Or do we want to deny and boycott any such limiting label? I’ve brought on an expert to discuss it. Sarah Fay is an author, educator, and activist on the issue and has a book titled, Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses. Sarah from a young age displayed some unhealthy behaviors and was diagnosed, labeled, and treated. Over the next 30 years she went on to have multiple clinical diagnoses and labels for Anorexia, Major depressive disorder, Anxiety disorder, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Bipolar disorder, and has also dealt with alcoholism, being a compulsive exerciser, and many bouts being suicidal. You name the drug, she’s been prescribed it and taken it. Today…she is well, though still accepting of a couple diagnoses and medications, but has much to educate and warn us about regarding our current culture which has nearly half of all Americans being given an official, clinical diagnosis during their lifetime. Sarah Fay writes for many publications, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and The Paris Review. She is also on the faculty at Northwestern University. She’s the founder of Pathological: The Movement, and you can her at sarahfay.org.

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