“You Might Have a Disorder”

Introduction

Mental health is everywhere—plastered across hashtags, fuelling self-care trends, and shaping workplace wellness programs. Therapy is mainstream, meds are a swipe away, and advice on becoming your “best self” is endless. Yet, despite all this awareness, mental illness rates are through the roof. More people than ever are in therapy, on medication, or barely making it through the day. So, what’s the deal? Are we actually helping people heal, or just keeping a billion-dollar industry thriving? Maybe it’s time to ask the uncomfortable question: is the mental health system solving the crisis—or just really good at convincing us we’re broken?

The Overmedicalisation of Suffering

Not too long ago, feeling sad, stressed, or a little lost was just part of being human. Now? It’s practically a diagnosis. As Illich warned with his concept of Iatrogenesis, the more we medicalize mental health, the more we risk keeping people stuck in the cycle.

And psychiatry? It just keeps expanding the rulebook. Back in 1980, the DSM listed 265 mental disorders. By 2013, that number had climbed to 297. That’s 32 new ways to be officially unwell! Somewhere along the way, we blurred the line between normal distress and true disorder (2). Mental health has become something to track, manage, and—of course—medicate (3).

The Pharma-Psychiatry Power Couple

No surprise here: in our profit-driven world, overmedicalization is big business. The mental health industry is a billion-dollar machine, with pharmaceutical companies, wellness brands, and even some therapy models cashing in on our struggles. Mental health services matter—no doubt—but you have to wonder: are some of these players more interested in keeping us hooked than actually helping us heal?

Take the "Chemical Imbalance" theory—one of the most successful marketing campaigns in medical history. The twist? There’s barely any solid science behind it. Clinical trials are often designed to make drugs look better than they are, and research shows many antidepressants work only slightly better than placebos (4,5). But that hasn’t stopped us from believing a pill can magically fix everything. In reality, antidepressants don’t “rebalance” anything—they alter brain chemistry much like recreational drugs (6). And yet, the global antidepressant market was worth £14.3 billion in 2021, with projections to hit £21 billion by 2030. That’s a whole lot of Prozac.

Implications for You and I

By turning ordinary emotions into medical conditions, we risk creating lifelong patients. When people are told they have a disorder just for feeling sad, worried, or stressed—natural responses to life’s ups and downs—it strips them of their sense of agency. And here’s the kicker: despite all the focus on brain chemistry, long-term outcomes haven’t improved much (7). Instead, many people find themselves stuck in an endless loop of medication tweaks, therapy sessions, and a growing attachment to their diagnosis.

The Role of Society

What if the rise in mental health issues isn’t about personal flaws, but a symptom of the world we live in? Maybe the real problem isn’t brain chemistry—it’s disconnection (8). When people feel cut off from meaningful work, community, or purpose, depression and anxiety thrive. And let’s be real—when society breeds stress, loneliness, and dissatisfaction, is it any surprise that so many are struggling?

Look at the bigger picture: income inequality, social isolation, and job insecurity are all major players in mental health decline (9–11). Studies show that countries with higher inequality also have worse mental health. And some argue that our economic system is designed to keep us stressed—so instead of changing the system, we medicate people to adjust to it (12). So, is mental illness really a personal issue, or just a completely rational response to a high-pressure world?

The Way Forward

Maybe the solution isn’t endless self-analysis or chemical intervention, but a more holistic approach to mental well-being—one that recognizes the role of society in distress, pushes back against overmedicalization, and prioritizes empowerment over pathologization.

So, what’s the alternative? Social prescribing is gaining traction—where doctors recommend arts, exercise, and social groups instead of just handing out prescriptions. And it works. Studies show this approach can significantly boost mental well-being (13). Lifestyle changes like exercise have been found to be just as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, while mindfulness-based therapies help manage stress without a pill (14,15). And let’s not forget one of the most powerful antidepressants out there: human connection. Strong relationships and a sense of belonging can make a world of difference in mental health (16).

Final Thoughts

The mental health crisis isn’t just about individual suffering—it’s about how we, as a society, define and respond to distress. Are we truly helping people heal, or just trapping them in endless cycles of treatment? If we want real change, we need to prioritize resilience, meaning, and well-being over quick-fix solutions.

It’s time for a mental health rebellion—one that pushes back against overdiagnosis, overmedication, and the industries cashing in on distress. Instead of slapping a label on every tough moment, we should be creating spaces where people can process emotions without being pathologized. That means advocating for better work conditions, stronger communities, and a culture that sees sadness and stress as part of being human—not something to be "fixed." Mental health should be about thriving, not just surviving—and most importantly, it should be about people, not profits.

References

1. Illich I. Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health. Pantheon Books; 1975.

2. Horwitz A, Wakefield J. The Loss of Sadness: How Psychiatry Transformed Normal Sorrow into Depressive Disorder. Oxford University Press; 2007.

3. Rose N. Our Psychiatric Future: The Politics of Mental Health. Polity Press; 2018.

4. Healy D. Let Them Eat Prozac: The Unhealthy Relationship Between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Depression. New York University Press; 2004.

5. Kirsch I. The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth. Basic Books; 2009.

6. Moncrieff J. The Myth of the Chemical Cure: A Critique of Psychiatric Drug Treatment. Palgrave Macmillan; 2008.

7. Insel T, Cuthbert B, Garvey M, Heinssen R, Pine D, Quinn K, et al. Research Domain Criteria (RDoC): Toward a New Classification Framework for Research on Mental Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2010 Jul 1;167(7):748–51.

8. Hari J. Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope. Bloomsbury; 2018.

9. Pickett K, Wilkinson R. The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone. Penguin; 2010.

10. Cacioppo J, Patrick W. Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. W. W. Norton & Company; 2008.

11. Siegrist J. Adverse Health Effects of High-Effort / Low-Reward Conditions. J Occup Health Psychol. 1996;1(1):27–41.

12. Fisher M. Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? Zero Books; 2009.

13. Fancourt D, Steptoe A. Effects of Creative and Social Engagement on Health and Well-Being: A Review of Evidence and Mechanisms. Lancet Public Health. 2019;4(7):e294–305.

14. Blumenthal J, Babyak M, Moore K, Craighead E, Herman S, Khatri P, et al. Effects of Exercise Training on Older Patients with Major Depression. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Oct 1;159(19):2349–56.

15. Kabat-Zinn J. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness. Bantam; 1990.

16. Holt-Lunstad J, Smith T, Layton B. Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-Analytic Review. PLoS Med. 2010 Jul 27;7(7):e1000316.