E115 - Do We Medicalise Unhappiness? (with Prof. Brendan Kelly)
Mar 14, 2025
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Professor Brendan Kelly, a leading psychiatrist and author at Trinity College Dublin, delves into the intricacies of happiness and mental health. He critiques the medicalization of unhappiness and the societal influences shaping our well-being. Brendan shares insights on agency in the workplace, the rise of youth suicide rates linked to technology, and the complex relationship between hedonism and contentment. Drawing from Buddhism, he emphasizes the fluid nature of self-identity, urging a shift towards purposeful living.
A strong sense of purpose is essential for mental well-being, promoting resilience and breaking free from transient pursuits of pleasure.
The trend to medicalize unhappiness often overshadows the importance of addressing root causes, reflecting societal pressures linked to mental health.
Mental health treatment must balance individual agency with systemic factors, emphasizing the need for collective action and equitable access to resources.
Deep dives
The Importance of Purpose in Mental Health
Having a sense of purpose is crucial for mental well-being and contributes to long-lasting contentment. Engaging in meaningful activities, whether in work, family, or community service, helps individuals break free from the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure. This pursuit often leads to a transient sense of happiness that cannot sustain them over time. A strong sense of purpose provides an anchor in life’s challenges and promotes resilience against stress and adversity.
Medicalization of Unhappiness
There is a growing trend among psychiatrists to medicalize unhappiness, where life issues are often framed as mental health problems. Many individuals seek diagnoses for their struggles, interpreting a lack of diagnosis as invalidation of their experiences. This reflects a broader societal tendency to categorize everyday issues as psychiatric conditions, which can overshadow the importance of addressing root causes like social injustice and personal circumstances. Recognizing the distinction between clinical disorders and life challenges is essential for providing appropriate support and fostering individual resilience.
Shared Responsibility for Mental Health
Mental health is influenced by both individual choices and societal factors, highlighting the need for a dual approach in treatment. While individuals must take responsibility for their mental well-being, the circumstances shaping their lives often limit their choices. For instance, socioeconomic status can greatly affect access to mental health resources, suggesting that collective action is necessary for meaningful improvement. Emphasizing both personal agency and the need for systemic change can create a more comprehensive approach to mental health care.
The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
While concerns about social media's impact on mental health are prevalent, the effects are complex and multifaceted. There are arguments both for and against the idea that social media exacerbates mental health problems, with some metrics suggesting social media can actually facilitate community engagement. In countries like Ireland, participation in group activities has increased despite social media's rise, indicating that technology doesn't operate in isolation. Therefore, careful consideration of social media's role within the broader context of societal change and individual behavior is essential.
Future Directions in Psychiatry
Critics of current psychiatric practices may highlight the neglect of severe mental illnesses where individuals often do not receive appropriate care. With effective treatments available, including medications that significantly improve outcomes for conditions like schizophrenia, there is a strong argument that society has failed to provide necessary support. Future historians could argue that despite advances in understanding mental health, the systemic neglect of vulnerable populations, such as those with severe mental illness, represents a significant moral and professional failing in psychiatry. Addressing this neglect is crucial for improving mental health outcomes and ensuring equitable care.
Professor Brendan Kelly is a leading psychiatrist, author, and researcher. He is a Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital. He has authored over 20 books, including, The Science of Happiness, The Modern Psychiatrist's Guide to Contemporary Practice and Resilience: Lessons from Sir William Wilde on Life After Covid.
Among other things, in this episode we explore the complex relationship between happiness, society, and mental health. We discuss the different kinds of happiness and the common pitfalls people encounter when chasing it and the balance between individual responsibility and societal influence in shaping mental health. Brendan also shares insights from his background in Buddhism, including the belief that there is no fixed ‘self’ and how this perspective can lead to a more mentally balanced life.
You can access Brendan's book The Modern Psychiatrist’s Guide to Contemporary Practice for free here:
Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.
If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.
Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.
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