S3, Ep 17: The Meaning of Misdiagnosis | The Hidden Crisis in Mental Health Care

What if the doctor you finally opened up to about your mental health had no training to actually help you?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men I'm joined by Dr. Bob Smith, physician, researcher, and author of Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?, to uncover a shocking truth about modern healthcare: most primary care doctors receive almost no formal training in mental health. For men, who are already less likely to seek support and more likely to be misunderstood, the consequences can be profound.

 

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why most GPs lack proper mental health training

• How men’s symptoms get misread due to gender bias in healthcare

• The reasons depression in men often shows up as anger, withdrawal, or substance use

• What to do if your doctor doesn’t fully understand your mental health concerns

• Practical strategies for getting the help you need, even in a system that isn’t built for men

A must-listen for anyone passionate about improving men’s mental health, raising awareness, and changing a system that too often leaves men behind.

Here more from Dr Robert:

Website: https://www.robertcsmithmd.com/

X: https://x.com/RobertCSmithMD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertCSmithMD

Bob's Blog: https://www.robertcsmithmd.com/psychology-today-blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcsmithmd/

Timestamps:

03:26: Personal Journey and Catalyst for Change 09:15: The Historical Context of Mental Health in Medicine 14:50: The Crisis of Mental Health Care 20:22: Cultural Attitudes Towards Mental Health 24:46: The Societal Impact of Misdiagnosis 27:00: Navigating Conversations with Health Professionals 31:47: Advocating for Systemic Change in Medical Training 39:10: Hope for the Future of Mental Health Care