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The Curious Case of Fad Medical Diagnoses: Stress, Viruses, and Obesity

Medicine is a science, but it's also a product of its time. While human biology doesn’t change overnight, our understanding—and interpretation—of it often does. 

Over the decades, we've seen waves of what can only be described as fad medical diagnoses, where particular conditions become fashionable explanations for a broad spectrum of symptoms. 

At one time, it seemed every illness was caused by stress. Then, viruses took the blame. More recently, obesity has become the go-to culprit. But why do these diagnostic trends happen?

A Brief History of Blame

1. The Stress Epidemic (1970s–1990s)

In the late 20th century, as society became increasingly fast-paced, stress emerged as the catch-all diagnosis. From ulcers to insomnia, palpitations to headaches—everything was explained away as "just stress." While stress does have real physiological effects, its popularity as a blanket diagnosis often masked underlying issues. Mental health was poorly understood, and doctors lacked the tools or time to probe deeper.

2. The Virus Craze (1990s–2010s)

With the rise of better viral testing and media attention on outbreaks like swine flu, SARS, and Epstein-Barr, viruses became the next fashionable explanation. Vague, lingering illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia were sometimes attributed to "post-viral" syndromes, even when no clear viral trigger was identified. It was often a medical shrug: "It must’ve been a virus."

3. The Obesity Blame Game (2010s–present)

As obesity levels rose globally and its links to chronic illness became undeniable, it began to overshadow other potential causes. Tired? Breathless? Achy joints? All too often, the patient hears, “Well, you need to lose weight.” 

While obesity is a risk factor for many conditions, the danger of overdiagnosing based on weight is that legitimate, unrelated issues might be missed, or dismissed entirely.

Why Does This Happen?

Time Pressure in Healthcare

Modern medicine often runs on tight schedules. GPs and consultants have limited time, and when a patient presents with nonspecific symptoms, it’s tempting to default to a commonly accepted explanation.

Lack of Diagnostic Certainty

Medicine doesn’t always have clear answers. When faced with a “mystery” illness, especially one that doesn’t fit textbook criteria, clinicians sometimes reach for diagnoses that feel safe, familiar, and broadly accepted.

Media and Public Perception

Popular health scares and media narratives shape both patient and doctor expectations. When stress, viruses, or obesity dominate headlines, they become part of the cultural consciousness—and diagnoses tend to follow.

Bias and Stigma

Sadly, stigma plays a role. Patients who are overweight or anxious may not receive the same level of investigative care, and their symptoms might be prematurely written off. This can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses.

The Risks of Fad Diagnoses

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment: Patients may suffer longer because the real issue isn’t being addressed.

Erosion of Trust: Patients who feel dismissed may lose faith in the healthcare system, becoming less likely to seek help.

Overmedication or Undertreatment: Treating the wrong cause, such as prescribing antidepressants for stress when the issue is hormonal, can do more harm than good.

A Better Way Forward

Healthcare professionals and patients alike must be aware of the tendency toward diagnostic shortcuts. Good medicine demands curiosity, listening, and a willingness to dig deeper: Even when the answer isn’t obvious. Diagnostic trends will always exist, but critical thinking and personalised care must remain the gold standard.

Last notes:-

Just as fashion changes with the seasons, so too does the lens through which we view health. But while trousers can be swapped out easily, medical diagnoses affect lives. We must resist the urge to settle for convenient answers, and instead strive for accurate, compassionate, evidence-based care—no matter how “in vogue” a diagnosis might be.

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"Surrounded by Idiots?" Maybe It Is You…?

There’s a saying that pops up in moments of frustration: “I’m surrounded by idiots!” 

Whether muttered under your breath at work, shouted into a pillow after a tedious family gathering, or casually vented over a pint at the pub, it’s a phrase most of us have used.

But here’s the hard question:

What if the problem isn’t them… but you?

The Idiot Paradox

Let’s imagine a scenario. You go to work and nobody seems to understand your brilliant ideas.

 The drivers on the road are dangerously slow, or stupidly fast. The people in the shop queue can't operate the card machine. Your friends never quite get your jokes. Even your cat seems to be ignoring your commands.

At what point do you stop and ask:

Is it really possible that everyone else is wrong, all the time?

This isn’t to say you are the problem, but if the same issues repeat themselves across different settings, it’s worth a bit of healthy self-reflection.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Action

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a psychological phenomenon where people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability. In plain English: the less you know, the more confident you might feel. That could mean you’re mistaking your own gaps in knowledge for others’ incompetence.

It’s a humbling thought: And a powerful one.

Are You Communicating Clearly?

Sometimes, the issue isn’t about intelligence but communication. If people constantly misunderstand you, could it be that you’re speaking in jargon, rushing, or assuming shared knowledge?

Imagine turning up to a pub quiz and expecting everyone to know the capitals of obscure former Soviet states. If they don't, are they “idiots”? Or did you bring the wrong expectations?

The Control Freak Trap

Do you find yourself thinking, “If people would just do things my way, everything would work better”?

That’s a red flag. Wanting things done your way doesn’t make your way the best, it might just make you a bit of a tyrant in disguise.

Letting go of perfectionism and embracing the different (and often equally valid) ways people think and work can be liberating, and massively improve relationships.

Maybe You’re Just Tired

Honestly, if everyone seems like an idiot, you might simply be knackered. Exhaustion, stress, burnout, all can affect how tolerant, patient and forgiving we are. A good nap, a meal and a vent to a mate might bring the world back into balance.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

Do I hear the same feedback from different people?

Am I quick to judge others without giving them a fair chance?

Do I ever apologise when I get something wrong?

Could I explain this concept/idea to a 10-year-old? If not, is it actually that clever?

Do I assume good intentions, or immediately think people are being stupid or lazy?

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Blame: It’s About Growth

This isn’t a call to self-flagellation. We all have moments where we lose patience. But if you’re always surrounded by idiots, take a breath and consider: could I be doing something differently?

Sometimes the most intelligent thing you can do is question your own assumptions.

And if after all that reflection you still think you’re surrounded by idiots… at least now you’ll know how to handle them more gracefully.

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