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GPs raise alarm over mental health diagnosis trends
Nearly 60% of family doctors surveyed by the BBC believe mental health conditions are being over-diagnosed in England, while others warn of under-diagnosis and severe service gaps.
Survey reveals divided opinions
The BBC received responses from 752 general practitioners across England as part of a questionnaire exploring mental health care challenges. Of these, 442 GPs expressed concerns about over-diagnosis, with more describing it as a minor issue rather than a significant problem. Meanwhile, 81 doctors felt mental health conditions were under-diagnosed.
A recurring theme among respondents was the belief that society increasingly medicalizes normal life stresses. One GP commented, "Life being stressful is not an illness." Another noted, "We've forgotten that life can be tough-grief and heartbreak are painful but normal, and we must learn to cope."
"Giving people labels like anxiety or depression over-medicalizes emotional difficulties and diverts resources from those with severe needs."
Anonymous GP respondent
Criticism and systemic pressures
While most responses reflected professional concern, a small number of GPs were sharply critical of patients. One described them as "dishonest, narcissistic... gaming a free system."
Despite these views, the majority of GPs highlighted systemic failures. A staggering 508 of 752 respondents said high-quality mental health support for adults was "rarely or never" available in their area. Even more-640 GPs-expressed worries about accessing care for young patients.
"A child literally needs to be holding a knife to be taken seriously, and the second that knife is put down, services disengage."
Anonymous GP
Rising demand and prescription dilemmas
NHS England data shows one in five adults in England reports a common mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, with rates rising to one in four among 16-24-year-olds. GPs identified 19-34-year-olds as the age group needing the most support, with some attributing increased vulnerability to post-pandemic resilience challenges.
Nearly all surveyed GPs with at least five years of experience reported spending more time on mental health cases. The primary reasons cited were:
- Increased patient demand
- Insufficient alternative support services
- Pressure to provide immediate solutions
A concerning trend emerged: 447 GPs admitted "routinely" prescribing medication due to fears that patients wouldn't receive timely access to therapies like counseling. One doctor shared, "I often prescribe antidepressants, knowing they may only help short-term and won't prevent recurrence."
Government review and expert reactions
Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently ordered an independent review into the surge in demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services, acknowledging his earlier remarks about over-diagnosis were "divisive." The review aims to identify gaps and propose actionable recommendations.
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the Royal College of GPs, emphasized the delicate balance doctors face: "We must avoid medicalizing normal emotions while ensuring genuine concerns aren't dismissed as over-diagnosis."
Minesh Patel of mental health charity Mind rejected claims of over-diagnosis, stating, "There's no credible evidence for this. What we do know is that one in five adults now lives with a common mental health condition."
Systemic strain and patient struggles
With an estimated 2.5 million people in England living with ADHD-many undiagnosed-some NHS services have closed to new patients due to overwhelming demand. Patients have described harrowing difficulties accessing care, underscoring a consensus that the system is failing to meet needs.
The independent review, set to examine all evidence, has pledged to deliver "genuinely useful" solutions. Until then, GPs remain on the frontlines of a crisis with no easy answers.
