Are We Overdiagnosing Illness? Unpacking the Soaring Rates of Chronic Conditions

The increasing number of people diagnosed with chronic conditions in recent years is raising concerns about whether we are less healthy than we used to be or if we are simply overdiagnosing illness. This surge in diagnoses—ranging from ADHD and autism to depression and anxiety—has sparked debates about whether normal life experiences and minor bodily imperfections are being unnecessarily pathologized. Could the growth in diagnoses reflect a genuine increase in mental and physical health issues, or are we misattributing everyday struggles to medical disorders.

Consider Anna’s story. A nurse who has struggled with low self-esteem, impulsive behavior, forgetfulness, and fluctuating moods, Anna sought medical advice throughout her life. Diagnosed with depression in her 20s and later treated for other conditions, Anna’s symptoms were never entirely explained until, in her 40s, she learned she may have ADHD. This realization provided clarity for her long-standing difficulties with memory and emotional control. The treatment with Ritalin offered Anna some relief, improving her focus and energy. However, despite these positive changes, Anna still feels the weight of being constantly misunderstood, and her employer is unsure of how to best support her.

Anna’s case is just one example of a broader trend observed by many healthcare professionals. Dr. Jane, a neurologist with over 30 years of experience, has noticed an increasing number of young patients with multiple diagnoses of chronic conditions, many of which are not easily curable. The diagnoses include autism, ADHD, fibromyalgia, migraines, and depression, among others. In fact, research has shown a dramatic rise in the number of people diagnosed with mental health disorders and behavioral difficulties, leading to headlines such as “ADHD: What’s behind the recent explosion in diagnoses?” and “Autism prevalence rises again.” While these trends suggest a worsening of mental health and physical health overall, there are other possible explanations for this surge.

One plausible explanation is that we are simply better at recognizing medical problems today and providing diagnoses where they may have previously been overlooked. Disorders like autism and ADHD may be more prevalent not because they are on the rise, but because more people are finally receiving the right diagnosis and the appropriate support. For example, many adults who were previously undiagnosed are now receiving ADHD diagnoses and benefiting from interventions that were not available to them in the past.

However, there is another possibility: that we are pathologizing normal differences in behavior and experience. Some experts argue that we are attributing everyday human experiences—such as forgetfulness, emotional fluctuations, or social anxiety—into medical disorders. For instance, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), the guidebook used by healthcare professionals to diagnose mental health disorders, has expanded its categories over time to include conditions that may have once been considered part of the human experience. This trend of pathologizing normal behavior may be exacerbated by societal pressures to label and treat every imperfection, leading to what some refer to as “medical gaslighting.”

The rise in ADHD diagnoses is a prime example of this phenomenon. Initially introduced as a disorder with hyperactivity in children, ADHD is now diagnosed in individuals of all ages, with many people receiving diagnoses for what might be considered mild cases. The number of adults diagnosed with ADHD has skyrocketed, with some studies showing a 400% increase between 2020 and 2023. The symptoms of ADHD—such as forgetfulness, distractibility, and impulsiveness—are common to many people at some point in their lives, but when these traits become persistent and interfere with social, academic, or professional functioning, they are often categorized as a disorder.

Furthermore, the trend of overdiagnosing ADHD may be exacerbated by the subjective nature of diagnosis. The DSM-5, the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, offers general guidelines for ADHD diagnosis, but these guidelines are inherently vague. Symptoms such as “often loses things” or “often talks excessively” can be interpreted in many ways, making it difficult to differentiate between a mild disorder and a normal variation in behavior. This subjectivity contributes to the growing number of ADHD diagnoses, especially in cases where the symptoms are relatively mild.

In addition to ADHD, other conditions such as anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia have seen sharp increases in diagnoses in recent years. The rise in anxiety and depression diagnoses is particularly concerning, as these conditions are often linked to societal pressures and life stressors. While anxiety and depression are valid medical conditions, some experts argue that we may be overattributing these conditions to normal emotional responses to life’s challenges.

The consequences of overdiagnosing conditions are far-reaching. While treatment and diagnosis can help people manage their symptoms, it also leads to the medicalization of ordinary experiences. For example, social anxiety may be categorized as a disorder when it could simply be a normal reaction to unfamiliar social situations. Similarly, emotional fluctuations that occur in response to life’s ups and downs may be labeled as a mood disorder, leading individuals to seek unnecessary medical treatment.

In the case of ADHD, a condition that has gained significant attention in recent years, researchers have yet to find a consistent neurological abnormality that would explain the symptoms. The absence of clear biological markers for ADHD has led many to question whether the condition is being overdiagnosed. While some people genuinely struggle with the challenges associated with ADHD, others may simply experience mild symptoms that do not significantly impair their daily functioning. Without objective biomarkers, it is difficult to distinguish between individuals with true ADHD and those with mild symptoms or normal behavior variations.

As the number of people diagnosed with chronic conditions continues to rise, it is important to consider the implications of overdiagnosis. While medical advances have allowed for better recognition of conditions and more effective treatments, there is a fine line between diagnosing legitimate medical disorders and pathologizing normal human differences. We must be cautious about labeling ordinary experiences as medical conditions and ensure that we are not turning everyday struggles into lifelong diagnoses.

The rise in ADHD and other chronic conditions calls for a more nuanced understanding of health and well-being. We must balance the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment with the potential harm of overdiagnosing normal life experiences. The key lies in recognizing when behaviors and experiences are truly indicative of a medical condition and when they are simply part of the natural variation of human life. As we continue to navigate this complex issue, it is crucial to maintain a critical perspective on the growing trend of diagnosing and labeling, ensuring that we do not lose sight of the broader context of human experience.