The Nocebo Effect Overdiagnosis and Its Costs

“The author has taken the subject of medicalisation to a whole new level by demonstrating how a distorted judgment and overzealous diagnosis … the recognised coin of the realm—not only distorts the calculation of harms and benefits but negatively affects a patient’s health and well-being through the power of suggestion. … he has brilliantly demonstrated how the over-prescription of psychoactive drugs has taken place under the auspices of the DSM and distorted the calculation of risks and benefits.” (John S. Haller, Jr., Medical History, Vol. 61 (1), 2017)

“The Nocebo Effect is both thought provoking and groundbreaking. … The book is unique in surveying the extent and impact of medicalization of both physical and mental health. … This work is essential reading for any practitioner supporting someone with a psychiatric diagnosis, and for those in third sector and policy-making bodies so they can legitimately assess the impact of their work.” (Claire Powell and Jo Thompson, The Journal of Critical Psychology, Vol. 16 (1), 2016)