Psych Matters
Psych Matters is an informative and educational podcast by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Psych Matters provides regular interesting topics for psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees and others with an interest in psychiatry.
Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing the RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website - RANZCP Website Terms of Use Agreement
Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australian or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website - Your Health In Mind
Psych Matters
Perils of Diagnosis in the Age of the Internet
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In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Matthew Macfarlane uncovers how the internet, social media, societal change, and our own psychology are fueling the rise of inflated and sometimes harmful diagnoses. Discover the surprising ways that diagnostic labels can shape your identity—and how they can also trap you in a life of expectation and limitation.
Associate Professor Matthew Macfarlane is a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist working at Wollongong Hospital, NSW. He also works in the Discipline Lead in Psychiatry role at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong. In these roles, he works with people with functional disorders and chronic disorders of central sensitisation and interoception. His research interests include functional neurological disorder, catatonia, neuroimaging, and sleep medicine.
References:
- Foulkes, L. and J. L. Andrews (2023). "Are mental health awareness efforts contributing to the rise in reported mental health problems? A call to test the prevalence inflation hypothesis." New Ideas in Psychology 69.
- Hacking I. “Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personality and the Sciences of Memory.” Princeton University Press, 1998.
- O’Sullivan S. “The Age of Diagnosis.” Hachette, 2025.
Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: psychmatters.feedback@ranzcp.org
Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.