The Prevalence Inflation Effect and Its Impact on Mental Health

The prevalence inflation effect in psychology is crucial for mental health, according to recent studies. For instance, a study in Australia with teens receiving DBT therapy showed a paradoxical result - those exposed to therapy exhibited worse mental health outcomes. This effect can be explained by the human tendency to internalize labels or definitions attributed to them, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. This suggests that excessive focus on mental health awareness can backfire, highlighting a delicate balance between acknowledging issues and not excessively dwelling on them.

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