Why does it suddenly feel like everyone has a diagnosis? From ADHD and autism to anxiety, trauma, burnout, and depression - mental health language is everywhere right now. But are rates actually rising? Or are more people finally being seen after years of being overlooked, misread, or excluded from the stereotype? In this episode, we unpack the psychology, politics, and culture of diagnosis: how diagnostic criteria have changed, why context matters, what social media has done to this conversation, and the tension between labels as affirming, or oversimplified.

We explore:
•        What the data actually says about rising diagnosis rates
•        Why historically missed groups are being recognised more now
•        The role of context in shaping our experiences
•        The risk of pathologising ordinary human struggle
•        When scepticism is useful - and why it should be aimed at systems, not individuals
•        Why a label can still be meaningful, helpful, and nobody else’s business

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources: 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7422602/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4810039/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11747871/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10251666/
https://reference-global.com/article/10.58734/plc-2025-0009

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

Why does it suddenly feel like everyone has a diagnosis? From ADHD and autism to anxiety, trauma, burnout, and depression - mental health language is everywhere right now. But are rates actually rising? Or are more people finally being seen after years of being overlooked, misread, or excluded from the stereotype? In this episode, we unpack the psychology, politics, and culture of diagnosis: how diagnostic criteria have changed, why context matters, what social media has done to this conversation, and the tension between labels as affirming, or oversimplified.
We explore: &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;What the data actually says about rising diagnosis rates &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Why historically missed groups are being recognised more now &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The role of context in shaping our experiences &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The risk of pathologising ordinary human struggle &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;When scepticism is useful - and why it should be aimed at systems, not individuals &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Why a label can still be meaningful, helpful, and nobody else&rsquo;s business
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
Our favourite sources:&nbsp; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7422602/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4810039/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11747871/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10251666/ https://reference-global.com/article/10.58734/plc-2025-0009
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

 

My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean 

For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
My book is out NOW: <a href="https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean">https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean</a>&nbsp;
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
&nbsp;

The Psychology of your 20s

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

 

Buy my book, Person in Progress: https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655 

For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Buy my book, Person in Progress: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655">https://www.amazon.com.au/Person-Progress-Roadmap-Psychology-Your/dp/1399823655</a>&nbsp;
For business enquires please email <a href="mailto:thepsychologyofyour20steam@unitedtalent.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>
&nbsp;

410. Why does everyone have a diagnosis these days?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d1949fd2-7c27-4f92-bf8f-b439007673ca/transcript