When normal people become patients

The Washington Post looks at disease-mongering:

Shy people have “social phobia,” requiring psychotropic drugs. High-strung boys have attention deficit disorder and need amphetamines. Baby boomers with slightly elevated blood pressure have “pre-hypertension” and line up for beta blockers. A few nights of restlessness calls for sleeping pills.

“The ordinary experiences of life become a diagnosis, which makes healthy people feel like they’re sick,” Schwartz said.