The Problem of Overdiagnosis and Overmedication

In this episode, Dr. Karen Anderson-Averle discusses her concerns about the overdiagnosis and overmedication of mental health conditions in society. She highlights how societal tendencies to view normal emotions and personality traits as pathological have led to excessive medicalization and the belief that medication is necessary to alleviate these symptoms. She emphasizes the need for informed decision-making and cautions against trusting drug company marketing and advertisements, highlighting the influence of pharmaceutical companies in the medical field. Dr. Anderson-Averle also interviews psychiatrist Dr. Alan Francis, who shares insights on how psychiatric diagnosis and treatment have become imbalanced, with overprescription occurring for mild conditions while severe disorders are often neglected.