Podcast - Episode 2- ;Wellness Deficit Disorder' - Positive Psychiatry Podcst with Rakesh Jain, MD

Here is a new podcast, #2 in fact, from 'Positive Psychiatry with Rakesh Jain, MD', where I address the issue of Wellness Deficit Disorder (WDD) as a targetable goal in all psychiatric practices - even those that are purely psychopharmacological.

Could we be missing something crucial in mental healthcare? Beyond the familiar symptoms that define psychiatric disorders lies a hidden dimension of wellness that most clinicians never address—despite it being what patients value most.

I introduce the concept of "Wellness Deficit Disorder," a condition not yet recognized in diagnostic manuals but profoundly present in clinical practice. Through compelling research, he reveals a startling disconnect: while clinicians focus primarily on symptom reduction, patients rank "feeling that life is meaningful" as their highest priority, with symptom reduction ranking only fifth on their list.

This isn't just philosophical musing. Using the HERO Wellness Scale (measuring Happiness, Enthusiasm, Resilience, and Optimism), research shows individuals with psychiatric disorders score 18-25% lower on wellness measures compared to those without diagnoses. Even more compelling, neurobiological studies reveal separate neural circuits for positive emotions versus negative ones, challenging our fundamental understanding of psychological health.

This approach doesn't reject conventional psychiatry but enhances it, offering a more complete path toward psychological well-being. By addressing both the absence of illness and the presence of wellness, we can finally help patients achieve what they've been asking for all along—not just survival, but genuine thriving.