Are we over diagnosing mental health conditions, or are we simply becoming better at recognising them?

In a world where awareness of neurodiversity, mental health, and chronic conditions is at an all-time high, it’s tempting to assume that increasing diagnoses equate to progress. But this week on BBC Radio Four, Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, a neurologist and author of The Age of Diagnosis: How Our Obsession with Medical Labels Is Making Us Sicker, raised an important challenge—are we too quick to diagnose, and in doing so, are we creating unintended harm?

In the discussion, Dr O’Sullivan explored how the rise in diagnoses of conditions such as autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders reflects shifting societal boundaries rather than an actual epidemic of illness. While diagnoses can provide individuals with clarity, validation, and access to support, she warns that over-diagnosis can sometimes lead to unnecessary anxiety, medication, and even a narrowing of identity.

This is particularly relevant in the UK, where diagnoses of mental health conditions among children and young people (CYP) have surged. The NHS reports that the number of children aged 7-16 with a probable mental health disorder has risen from 12.1% in 2017 to 20.3% in 2023. The system is struggling to keep up—long CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) waiting lists mean many children face delays in accessing clinical support.

But what if we’re missing the bigger picture?

Dr O’Sullivan highlighted how social and cultural factors influence illness perception. In some cases, distress and difficult emotions are being medicalised rather than understood in the context of life circumstances. This echoes concerns from UK policymakers and healthcare professionals, who see rising mental health needs alongside increasing socioeconomic pressures—cost-of-living challenges, academic stress, and digital culture all playing a role.

Social Prescribing: A Non-Clinical Approach - One solution gaining traction in the UK is social prescribing—an approach that connects people to community-based support such as arts groups, exercise programmes, nature therapy, and volunteering. Rather than jumping straight to medical intervention, social prescribing recognises that well-being is shaped by more than biology—it’s about connection, purpose, and resilience.

For young people struggling with anxiety or low mood, a diagnosis might help—but is it always necessary? Could structured peer support, creative outlets, or mentoring provide the relief they need before a medical label is applied? Ahead of Social Prescribing Day on 19th March, maybe it is time to shift the narrative? This isn’t to say that diagnoses aren’t valuable—far from it. But as Dr O’Sullivan argues, we must strike a balance between recognising real medical needs and avoiding a rush to label every challenge as a disorder.

In the UK, this means:

• Empowering schools and communities to support CYP mental health outside of clinical settings.

• Investing in social prescribing and non-clinical interventions to provide early support.

• Rethinking diagnostic thresholds—ensuring they capture genuine need rather than medicalising everyday struggles.

As a society, we’re becoming better at talking about mental health. But awareness alone isn’t enough—we need the right responses, at the right time, for the right people. So before we seek a diagnosis, perhaps we should ask: what else might help first?

What do you think?

Should we be diagnosing more—or less? How can we ensure young people get the right support without over-medicalising their experiences? Let’s discuss.