When does help become harm? Overdiagnosis in mental health & substance use recovery

Overdiagnosis is a growing concern in healthcare, particularly in mental health and substance use recovery. It happens when conditions are identified too readily or broadly, sometimes leading to unnecessary treatments or oversimplified solutions for complex human experiences. Clinicians and experts across the field are increasingly discussing how this trend could unintentionally create harm, despite the good intentions behind it. 

While diagnosis is a critical tool to help individuals access the care and support they need, questions arise when those tools are overutilized. What happens when a label is applied too quickly? How might this affect the person, the care process, or the team providing support? Here’s a closer look at what clinicians are saying, and why the conversation around overdiagnosis in mental health and recovery matters now more than ever. 

The ripple effects of overdiagnosis 

Clinicians emphasize that a diagnosis carries significant weight. It has the power to validate someone’s experience, offer context, and provide a starting point for recovery. But applied too soon or without full understanding, a diagnosis can create unintended consequences for the person seeking help, their care team, and even the broader care system. 

The power of labels 

Clinicians often warn about the psychological effects of premature or overly broad diagnoses. Labels can influence how someone sees themselves, sometimes turning temporary struggles into what feels like permanent traits. For instance, emotional swings and self-reflection are normal parts of early recovery from substance use. However, labeling  such experiences as anxiety or depression too quickly might lead individuals to believe they face something chronic, rather than situational. 

There have also been many studies on a phenomenon that can occur upon receiving a diagnosis, often referred to as “label-induced symptoms”, or as Cleveland Clinic calls it, “the nocebo effect”. Over time, individuals might begin experiencing symptoms that are correlated with their diagnosis, that they haven’t previously (and wouldn’t otherwise have) experienced. Which, of course, can make recovery feel more daunting. This highlights why many mental health professionals advocate for a cautious and exploratory approach to diagnosis. 

When treatment misses the mark 

Experts also shed light on how rushed diagnoses can result in treatments that don’t fully address the individual’s needs. An often-cited concern is the tendency to treat secondary symptoms instead of exploring the larger picture. For example, if someone in recovery struggles with low self-esteem, it’s a normal response to the rebuilding process. However, mislabeling this as depression may lead to unnecessary medications, when the real need is support in reestablishing self-worth. 

Clinicians stress that such misalignments in care can direct attention away from holistic approaches, which aim to address the root causes and work toward long-term growth. Mental health professionals note that fragmented care not only complicates recovery but also risks making individuals feel overwhelmed by treatment plans or disconnected from their goals. 

The strain on care teams 

Healthcare providers also feel the impact of overdiagnosis. Every diagnosis added to a client’s file brings additional care requirements, often stretching clinicians’ already limited resources.  

As an article by the BBC highlights, “mental health services are at a ‘breaking point” as communities everywhere aim to increase accessibility.  When too much attention and too many resources are directed toward managing less critical diagnoses, it can inadvertently dilute the overall quality of care, delaying or reducing the focus required for clients with truly urgent needs and broader underlying issues. 

Eroding trust in the care process 

A recurring theme in clinical discussions is how overdiagnosis can harm the trust essential for recovery. When clients feel their diagnosis doesn’t match their lived experience, or when treatments seem disconnected from what they truly need, it can create a rift in the client-caregiver relationship. 

For many individuals in recovery, trust is foundational. They need to feel heard and understood to engage fully in the care process. Quick labeling or impersonal care plans risk reinforcing the stigma that their struggles are being reduced to checkboxes on a chart. Clinicians argue that without trust, recovery can feel clinical rather than collaborative. 

Exploring measured approaches 

To address these challenges, many in the field support adopting more deliberate care practices. A popular concept among clinicians is “watchful waiting,” which prioritizes observation and open communication before assigning diagnoses. By taking the time to deeply understand a client’s story, care teams can differentiate between temporary stressors and more complex conditions. 

The benefits of this approach are significant. First, it allows diagnoses and treatments to align more naturally with the individual’s recovery process. Second, it reduces the risk of unnecessary interventions, helping clients focus on building resilience. Finally, clinicians report that this method eases the growing strain on care teams, who can then allocate their time and resources where they’re most needed. 

Building connection and understanding 

Research also points to the importance of trust and open dialogue in achieving accurate diagnoses. Often, clients may hesitate to share critical details due to stigma, fear, or shame. This leaves care teams working with incomplete information, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis. 

Clinicians recommend strategies like motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care to foster stronger connections. The more comfortable clients feel sharing their full story, the better equipped care teams are to identify whether their symptoms stem from situational factors or deeper health issues. 

Leaving room for thought 

The concern for overdiagnosis in mental health and recovery is complex and deeply nuanced. Clinicians across the industry continue to explore ways to balance the benefits of diagnostic tools with the need for more patient-centered care. 

By staying curious, patient, and committed to individual stories, clinicians and caregivers can nurture an environment where healing feels possible—not just as a clinical outcome, but as a shared human experience.