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Suzanne O'Sullivan

Consultant in clinical neurophysiology and neurology at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, specializing in complex epilepsy and psychogenic disorders. Author of 'The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health, and Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far'.

Top 10 podcasts with Suzanne O'Sullivan

Ranked by the Snipd community
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271 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 57min

America in the Age of Diagnosis

In this insightful discussion, neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan, author of 'The Age of Diagnosis', challenges the current medical labeling trend. She argues that our obsession with diagnoses is pathologizing normal behaviors, turning healthy individuals into patients. O’Sullivan raises critical questions about the rise in ADHD, anxiety, and depression diagnoses, advocating for a balanced view of medical labels. She emphasizes the risks of overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments while exploring how societal perceptions of health are evolving.
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233 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 50min

Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far, The Problem With Getting A Diagnosis & Why Early Detection Is Not Always A Good Thing with Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan #553

Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan, a consultant specializing in complex epilepsy and author of 'The Age of Diagnosis', discusses the troubling trends in modern medicine. She explains how diagnostic labels can alter a person's self-view and urges a reevaluation of our understanding of health struggles as potentially normal experiences rather than diseases. The conversation also touches on the surge of autism diagnoses, the pitfalls of early detection, and the complexities of genetic testing, advocating for a more personalized and holistic approach to healthcare.
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78 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 49min

What is psychosomatic illness? (with Suzanne O'Sullivan)

Suzanne O'Sullivan, an Irish physician and neurologist, delves into the complexities of long COVID and psychosomatic illnesses. She discusses four explanations for long COVID, emphasizing the real physical nature of psychosomatic symptoms. The conversation highlights how societal factors inflamed these conditions during the pandemic and addresses misconceptions perpetuated through social media. O'Sullivan suggests effective recovery techniques, including distraction and reframing symptoms, while unpacking the challenges of diagnosing chronic pain and unexplained illnesses.
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75 snips
Mar 15, 2025 • 1h 4min

153. We’re Not Getting Sicker — We’re Overdiagnosed

Suzanne O'Sullivan, a neurologist specializing in epilepsy and author, dives into the world of overdiagnosis in medicine. She challenges the obsession with medical labels, arguing that it exacerbates health issues and leads to unnecessary anxiety. Through compelling case studies, she explores the complex mind-body connection, highlighting how psychological factors can cause real physical symptoms. O'Sullivan also discusses the difficulties in distinguishing between different types of seizures and the implications of overdiagnosis, particularly in vulnerable populations.
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24 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 49min

What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You & How to Unlock Your True Voice

Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan, a consultant neurologist and author of 'The Age of Diagnosis,' discusses the perils of overdiagnosis and the anxiety that often accompanies unnecessary medical tests. She highlights the need for a patient-centered approach, emphasizing understanding rather than labeling. The conversation shifts to effective communication, led by Michael Chad Hoeppner, a communications expert. He shares innovative strategies to enhance verbal skills, encouraging listeners to build confidence and clarity when expressing themselves.
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22 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 2h 6min

Suzanne O'Sullivan (on over diagnosis)

Suzanne O'Sullivan, a neurologist and award-winning writer, discusses the significant issue of overdiagnosis in medicine. She highlights the complexities surrounding epilepsy, psychosomatic disorders, and the rise of self-diagnosis culture. Suzanne also explores the impact of societal beliefs on health, revealing how collective phenomena can manifest physically. The conversation touches on how the myth of sonic weapons and health anxieties, exacerbated by social media, complicate our understanding of true medical conditions, advocating for a more compassionate approach to health.
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13 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 4min

Over-Diagnosis: Are Too Many People Being Given Medical Labels? (Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan)

Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, consultant neurologist and author of The Age of Diagnosis, questions whether modern screening and labels sometimes harm more than help. She discusses overdetection from imaging and genetics, the nocebo effect, screening trade-offs, rising neurodiversity labels, and how diagnoses can reshape identity and life choices.
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6 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 44min

Cancer, autism, and long covid: The "over-diagnosis" crisis

Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan, a seasoned neurologist from London's National Hospital and author of "It's All in Your Head," dives into the pressing issues of over-diagnosis in health. She highlights that 1 in 10 in England believe they have long COVID and questions the potential dangers of over-medicalization in mental health. O'Sullivan also discusses the complexities surrounding autism diagnoses and the need for nuanced understandings of health conditions to avoid mislabeling and unnecessary stigma. Her insights encourage a more holistic approach to health care.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 44min

What 25 years of CDC data on autism tells us

Elise Pass, a research professor at Johns Hopkins and co-leader of the CDC's Autism Monitoring Network, and neurologist Suzanne O'Sullivan from London delve into alarming findings: one in 31 American children are diagnosed with autism. They discuss the growing prevalence, the intricacies of diagnostic practices, and the unequal availability of services across communities. Historical data reveals potential overestimations and questions how changing definitions influence public perceptions. The duo emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of autism in the context of societal responses.
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Mar 26, 2025 • 44min

Are we living through an overdiagnosis epidemic?

In this engaging discussion, neurologist and author Suzanne O’Sullivan tackles the troubling trend of overdiagnosis in both mental and physical health. She explores how mislabeling emotional struggles can lead to unnecessary stigma and healthcare complications. O’Sullivan also addresses the societal pressures influencing diagnoses such as ADHD and autism, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach. Additionally, she reveals the challenges faced by patients with chronic illnesses, advocating for a compassionate healthcare system that understands the real effects of labeling.

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