The Age of Diagnosis

The Age of Diagnosis covers so many topics that have been troubling me but which I hadn't been able to resolve myself. It slices through the confusion and the contradictions that have tied me in knots - both as a parent and as a clinician - with grace, elegance and compassion. It is scholarly and human, but an absolutely absorbing read from start to finish. There are very few people who could write this so straightforwardly and yet with endless compassion. I really cannot say good enough things about it. -- Chris van Tulleken, author of ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE A brave and deeply compassionate book with a very important message. -- Henry Marsh In my view the best science writer around - a true descendant of Oliver Sacks. -- Sathnam Sanghera A book of great wisdom as well as compassion - the result of decades working along the frontiers of brain, mind and body. Modern medicine is powerful; with care and with stories from her clinic, Dr O'Sullivan shows just how harmful it can be too. -- Gavin Francis, author of ADVENTURES IN HUMAN BEING I loved this beautifully written and provocative book. The Age of Diagnosis asks brave and important questions, taking on the medical establishment as well as contemporary societal norms. O'Sullivan's primary motivation in her writing, her philosophy and her work as a doctor is extreme empathy and advocacy for her patients. -- Christie Watson, author of THE LANGUAGE OF KINDNESS O'Sullivan explodes conventional wisdom about medical diagnoses. She knows that having a diagnosis like austism, or ADHD, or depression, or Lyme disease, can give her patients relief at having an explanation. But she also invites us to wonder where these diagnoses came from. Are we overdiagnosing? Is this really the best strategy for helping people get better? With clarity of prose and reasoning, The Age of Diagnosis should make all of us think about whether we are more or less healthy when we receive a diagnostic label. -- Elizabeth F. Loftus, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Irvine The neurologist Suzanne O'Sullivan has written insightful books about psychosomatic conditions. Here she turns her attention to the perils of over-diagnosis - including autism, allergies, ADHD and long Covid. Be prepared for compassionate and bracingly independent thinking. * The Times books to look out for in 2025 * Slices through the confusion and the contradictions with grace, elegance and compassion. I really cannot say good enough things about it. -- Chris van Tulleken, author of ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE With clarity of prose and reasoning, The Age of Diagnosis should make all of us think about whether we are more or less healthy when we receive a diagnostic label. -- Elizabeth F. Loftus, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Irvine