1/4 I find the psychologisation of ill health with no reference to the demographic, social & economic context troubelsome. We know certain groups in society are less believed & more stigmatised for declaring symptoms (women, those minoritised & more deprived communities).

2/4 Those with more agency over their care than others because of having more money, education, social or professional status have more options. What one doctor says about their state is less life-changing for them bec they have more resources to navigate the system & get heard.

3/4 I don’t think such a stance promotes ‘helplessness’. It’s about understanding people’s realities & societal factors shaping the response to such realities. It’s an issue with the individual responsibility of health narrative in general. Hence I don’t like the word ‘lifestyle’

4/4 Not everyone starts from the same position or has the same barriers & facilitators to have “the right frame of mind” or to think/behave in a way that “promotes their health”. Medicine must factor those considerations in every consultation & that training needs to start early.