On Trending with Timmerie, family physician and psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax raises concerns about what he calls the medicalization of normal human differences.

Dr. Sax points to the dramatic increase in autism diagnoses without intellectual disability and argues that changing diagnostic standards have made it easier for ordinary struggles with social interaction to be labeled as disorders. His concern is not with people who genuinely need support, but with treating every difficulty as something that defines a person.

“People being told that they are on the spectrum when in fact that's just kind of who they happen to be,” he said. “And it's not fixed. You can change who you are.”

Dr. Sax sees a similar problem with ADHD. He tells Timmerie about a boy whose declining grades led to an ADHD diagnosis and prescription for Vyvanse. When Dr. Sax investigated further, however, he discovered that the boy was staying up until 1:30am playing video games in his bedroom.

“Sleep deprivation perfectly mimics ADHD of the inattentive variety,” he explained.

His advice for parents is practical: keep video game consoles and phones out of bedrooms and be willing to establish firm boundaries. He recommends that parents take their children’s phones at night rather than expecting teenagers to resist social pressure on their own.

“You have to find the courage to be the evil parent,” he joked.

For Timmerie, there is also a deeper Christian lesson. Our weaknesses and struggles do not diminish the dignity and beauty God has given each person. Instead of allowing a label to become an excuse for avoiding growth, Christians are called continually toward greater discipline and virtue.

As Dr. Sax put it, “That's the Christian walk. That's the challenge that each of us face, is to improve, to be better.”

The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Trending with Timmerie, family physician and psychologist Dr. Leonard Sax raises concerns about what he calls the medicalization of normal human differences.
Dr. Sax points to the dramatic increase in autism diagnoses without intellectual disability and argues that changing diagnostic standards have made it easier for ordinary struggles with social interaction to be labeled as disorders. His concern is not with people who genuinely need support, but with treating every difficulty as something that defines a person.
&ldquo;People being told that they are on the spectrum when in fact that's just kind of who they happen to be,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And it's not fixed. You can change who you are.&rdquo;
Dr. Sax sees a similar problem with ADHD. He tells Timmerie about a boy whose declining grades led to an ADHD diagnosis and prescription for Vyvanse. When Dr. Sax investigated further, however, he discovered that the boy was staying up until 1:30am playing video games in his bedroom.
&ldquo;Sleep deprivation perfectly mimics ADHD of the inattentive variety,&rdquo; he explained.
His advice for parents is practical: keep video game consoles and phones out of bedrooms and be willing to establish firm boundaries. He recommends that parents take their children&rsquo;s phones at night rather than expecting teenagers to resist social pressure on their own.
&ldquo;You have to find the courage to be the evil parent,&rdquo; he joked.
For Timmerie, there is also a deeper Christian lesson. Our weaknesses and struggles do not diminish the dignity and beauty God has given each person. Instead of allowing a label to become an excuse for avoiding growth, Christians are called continually toward greater discipline and virtue.
As Dr. Sax put it, &ldquo;That's the Christian walk. That's the challenge that each of us face, is to improve, to be better.&rdquo;
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The best way to catch&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

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Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.