In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi, who is a also a psychotherapist with the National Health Service in the U.K, author and a father.
Dr. Timimi examines the rising trend of mental health diagnoses among children and teens. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, he explores why common behaviours—such as inattention, restlessness, or emotional ups and downs—are increasingly labeled as disorders, and the potential impact these labels can have on a child’s self-image and development.
Dr. Timimi also considers the broader influences driving this trend, including social media, academic pressure, and performance expectations. He offers guidance for parents on navigating behavioural concerns, identifying when professional support is appropriate, and finding clinicians who take a relational, context-driven approach rather than relying solely on diagnostic labels.
DR. SAMI TIMIMI
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Pscyhotherapist, National Health Service – U.K
Author
Father of 2
Grandfather
““A diagnosis is something beyond the imagination of the person making the diagnosis because it points to some sort of physical process going on in the body. In mental health, we often treat descriptions as if they are explanations—and that’s a problem.”
