Medikalizáció

Medikalizáció refers to the process by which human conditions and problems that were not previously considered medical issues become defined and treated as medical problems. This involves the expansion of medical knowledge, technology, and practice into new areas of life. It can manifest in various ways, such as the medicalization of aging, where natural aging processes are viewed as diseases requiring medical intervention, or the medicalization of behavior, where certain actions or emotions are pathologized and treated with medication.

The concept of medicalization is often discussed in sociology and medical ethics. It suggests that what is considered a medical issue is not solely determined by biological factors but also by social, cultural, and economic influences. Medicalization can lead to increased use of medical services and pharmaceuticals, potentially benefiting some individuals by providing treatments for previously unaddressed ailments. However, it can also lead to overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and the labeling of normal human experiences as pathological, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety and financial burdens. The debate around medicalization often centers on the appropriateness of medical interventions for certain conditions and the potential for the medical profession to exert undue influence over aspects of everyday life.