'Life being stressful is not an illness' – GPs on mental health over-diagnosis

Summary

'Life being stressful is not an illness' - GPs on mental health over-diagnosisCatherine Burns,Health correspondent,Vicki Loader,Health producerandHarriet AgerholmGetty ImagesHundreds of GPs across England have told the BBC they think mental health problems are being over-diagnosed. One commonly-held view by family doctors, our research suggests, is that society tends to over-medicalise normal life stresses. But they're also concerned about how hard it is to get help for patients with mental health conditions.Earlier this week, the Health Secretary ordered an independent review into the reasons for a rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services in England, and where the gaps in support are.BBC News sent a questionnaire to more than 5,000 GPs in England asking about their experiences helping patients with mental health concerns. Their responses give an insight into how challenging this issue is for many family doctors.Of the 752 GPs who took part in our research, 442 said they believed that over-diagnosis is a concern. More said mental health problems were over-diagnosed by a little than over-diagnosed by a lot.Eighty-one GPs who responded felt that mental health problems were under-diagnosed.Over-diagnosis of mental health issues was far from their only concern. Many GPs also told us they were worried about a lack of help for patients.For our questionnaire, GPs answered several questions and were invited to leave anonymous comments.One of the most common themes to emerge can be summed up in this remark from a GP: "Life being stressful is not an illness."Another commented: "As a society we seem to have forgotten that life can be tough - a broken heart or grief is painful and normal, and we have to learn to cope."Yet another argued that giving people labels such as anxiety or depression "over-medicalises life and emotional difficulties", and that this was taking resources away from people with severe needs.A small number of GPs were strongly critical of so...