Rethinking Mental Illness with Sarah Fay
Episode Overview
Sarah Fay shares her journey through six misdiagnoses. Discusses the dangers of self-diagnosis on social media. Explores the limitations and flaws of the DSM. Highlights the importance of accurate mental health information. Advocates for a more nuanced understanding of psychiatric labels.
"The good wolf is when diagnoses are used by trained professionals... The bad wolf is when diagnoses are used by the public who don't have that training."
In this episode of 'The One You Feed', host Eric Zimmer sits down with Sarah Fay, an award-winning author and mental health advocate, to challenge conventional views on mental illness. Sarah shares her compelling journey through six misdiagnoses, highlighting the profound impact these labels had on her life. Her experiences are a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of psychiatric diagnoses.
She emphasises the dangers of self-diagnosis on social media, where misinformation runs rampant and can lead to harmful consequences. Sarah's new work, 'Cured', aims to provide a more balanced perspective on mental health recovery and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of diagnoses. Eric and Sarah explore the limitations of the DSM, the diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals, and discuss how societal perceptions shape our understanding of mental illness.
This episode is a deep dive into the importance of accurate mental health information and the risks associated with oversimplified diagnoses. If you're curious about the real-life implications of psychiatric labels and how to navigate the complex world of mental health, this conversation is a must-listen.