Post by glasspsyche on Dec 18, 2013 22:31:55 GMT
Hello peoples.
i'm new here, but I wanted to kick-start some discussion around mental health diagnoses. I noticed, for my part, in the video that directed me here and in the 'introduce yourself' forum a lot of members cite a diagnosis. I happened to mention in my intro that inspite of long-term (since 1998, offically!) involvement with mental health issues, i do not have a diagnosis (dx). I was asked if this bothered me and I'll post my response below. But now, from you, how do you feel?
do you have a diagnosis?
do you agree with it?
how does having a dx make you feel about yourself?
do you think having a dx makes it easier to talk about mental health?
has having a dx been a hindrance?
There are so many questions to be raised surrounding diagnoses. Go on; chip in! What's your take?
**quoted post**
Thanks for having me. To answer the query re a diagnosis (or label, if you like) my feelings are mixed. On the one hand, I'm not a fan of categorising, labelling and sorting people under headings. I think labelling is a mechanism of control in some instances. Also, i would be concerned that whilst depressed, I may be inclined to use a dx as an excuse e.g "oh, I can't do that, I have depression"
HOWEVER
there are times when i feel like an official dx would validate how I'm feeling, to mysef both and some others. Being off work for a long time with "stress" is ambiguous and doesn't help convey the seriousness of the situation. Having a condition acknowledged as a bona fide "illness" would help me in some part accept that there are some things I cannot change, inspite of exercising massive willpower. It would also help my compliance with med-taking (my view on which changes a lot, depending on my mood!) To "have trouble with your nerves" comes from an era when "treatment" would consist of taking major tranqs and talking about Oedipus. To have, for example "Bipolar II with psychotic depression" means that treatment can be specific, targeted and results/improvement measurable.
HOWEVER
therein lies the danger: can humans ever be just expereicing one state of being? I believe that everyone is on a spectrum. I Understand the need, however, to categorize as that is the way mainstream society works in this era.
So, yeah : I'm confuddled. But if the psychiatrist at the CMHT offered me a diagnosis, i'd want to know, of course I'd be curious. And if I wasn't comfortable with it then I'd reject kt or ask him to reconsider. But there would be times when i would want to use it as "proof" that I am not just d*cking around too. I feela s long as I don't have a dx, people will continue to tell me to "get a grip" and not be willing to discuss my "situation" as it's so nebulous. If i had a dx, I could say, "look: here's some literature on it- this explains why sometimes X happens" it would be easier to talk about I think.
*end quote**
i'm new here, but I wanted to kick-start some discussion around mental health diagnoses. I noticed, for my part, in the video that directed me here and in the 'introduce yourself' forum a lot of members cite a diagnosis. I happened to mention in my intro that inspite of long-term (since 1998, offically!) involvement with mental health issues, i do not have a diagnosis (dx). I was asked if this bothered me and I'll post my response below. But now, from you, how do you feel?
do you have a diagnosis?
do you agree with it?
how does having a dx make you feel about yourself?
do you think having a dx makes it easier to talk about mental health?
has having a dx been a hindrance?
There are so many questions to be raised surrounding diagnoses. Go on; chip in! What's your take?
**quoted post**
Thanks for having me. To answer the query re a diagnosis (or label, if you like) my feelings are mixed. On the one hand, I'm not a fan of categorising, labelling and sorting people under headings. I think labelling is a mechanism of control in some instances. Also, i would be concerned that whilst depressed, I may be inclined to use a dx as an excuse e.g "oh, I can't do that, I have depression"
HOWEVER
there are times when i feel like an official dx would validate how I'm feeling, to mysef both and some others. Being off work for a long time with "stress" is ambiguous and doesn't help convey the seriousness of the situation. Having a condition acknowledged as a bona fide "illness" would help me in some part accept that there are some things I cannot change, inspite of exercising massive willpower. It would also help my compliance with med-taking (my view on which changes a lot, depending on my mood!) To "have trouble with your nerves" comes from an era when "treatment" would consist of taking major tranqs and talking about Oedipus. To have, for example "Bipolar II with psychotic depression" means that treatment can be specific, targeted and results/improvement measurable.
HOWEVER
therein lies the danger: can humans ever be just expereicing one state of being? I believe that everyone is on a spectrum. I Understand the need, however, to categorize as that is the way mainstream society works in this era.
So, yeah : I'm confuddled. But if the psychiatrist at the CMHT offered me a diagnosis, i'd want to know, of course I'd be curious. And if I wasn't comfortable with it then I'd reject kt or ask him to reconsider. But there would be times when i would want to use it as "proof" that I am not just d*cking around too. I feela s long as I don't have a dx, people will continue to tell me to "get a grip" and not be willing to discuss my "situation" as it's so nebulous. If i had a dx, I could say, "look: here's some literature on it- this explains why sometimes X happens" it would be easier to talk about I think.
*end quote**
