Mental health labels have evolved since Henri Simon Thomassin created his allegory on melancholy in the 1700s
Professor Bruce Arroll urges you to consider whether you should make mental health diagnoses in primary care, remembering that diagnoses should be of more benefit than harm to patients
References
1. Moynihan R, Brodersen J, Heath I, et al. Reforming disease definitions: a new primary care led, people-centred approach. BMJ Evid Based Med 2019;24(5):170–73.
2. Preventing overdiagnosis 2018 - Part 1. The BMJ Podcast, 31 August 2018. https://apple.co/2QYiQf5
3. Bruce Arroll. www.brucearroll.com
4. Grisanzio KA, Goldstein-Piekarski AN, Wang MY, et al. Transdiagnostic symptom clusters and associations with brain, behavior, and daily function in mood, anxiety, and trauma disorders. JAMA Psychiatry 2018;75(2):201–09.
5. Robinson PJ, Strosahl KD. Behavioral health consultation and primary care: Lessons learned. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2009;16:58–71.
6. Chin WY, Chan KT, Lam CL, et al. 12-Month naturalistic outcomes of depressive disorders in Hong Kong's primary care. Fam Pract 2015;32(3):288–96.
7. Ekers D, Webster L, Van Straten A, et al. Behavioural activation for depression; an update of meta-analysis of effectiveness and sub group analysis. PLoS One 2014;9(6):e100100.
8. Freedman R, Lewis DA, Michels R, et al. The initial field trials of DSM-5: new blooms and old thorns. Am J Psychiatry 2013;170(1):1–5.
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