The One You Feed Sarah Fay on The Challenges of Mental Health Diagnoses
Mar 15, 2022
Sarah Fay, an author and activist with a rich background in mental health writing, dives into the complexities of mental health diagnoses. She critiques the DSM, arguing that these labels often lack validity and can shape one’s identity. Fay shares her own misdiagnoses, highlights the flaws in the chemical imbalance theory, and discusses the overprescription of psychiatric medications by primary care doctors. The conversation advocates for a more holistic approach to mental health, emphasizing the need for understanding emotions beyond mere diagnoses.
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Source of Diagnoses
- Mental health diagnoses come from the DSM, a book compiled by mental health professionals.
- These diagnoses are based on opinions and theories, not solely scientific data, and lack external validity.
Sarah's Diagnoses
- Sarah Fay received six diagnoses: anorexia, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and bipolar.
- These varied diagnoses highlight the overlap and instability of DSM categories.
DSM Flaws
- DSM diagnoses lack validity and reliability due to overlapping symptoms and arbitrary criteria.
- The chemical imbalance theory, widely believed, has been debunked by experts.
