• Question: If someone engages a mental health service provider they're likely to receive a “diagnosis of a mental disorder” and be labelled in a certain way. What do you think of the stickiness of these labels?

    Asked by anon-216142 to Robert, Olly, Nicola, Jasmin, Dennis, Caroline on 12 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Caroline Brett

      Caroline Brett answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      Good question (I particularly like the word ‘stickiness’).
      Receiving a diagnosis can of course be helpful. It helps the person and their healthcare provider understand a bit more about what’s going on, because their experiences can be compared with others with the same diagnosis, and they would be able to receive treatment that has been tested and proven to work for (some) other people experiencing similar difficulties. It might also open doors for them in terms of support groups and meeting with others with the same diagnosis.
      However, your question does suggest that there is a less positive side to a diagnosis. Sometimes having a diagnosis of particular mental health disorders can have implications for a person’s future job prospects, relationships, or sense of self due to stigma and perceptions about these disorders.
      The best approach is a holistic one – every person is treated as an individual, with tailored treatments / interventions to help them through the difficulties they are experiencing. But it’s important to use the learning of those who have gone before to help inform that treatment plan (which is where the diagnosis can be helpful).

    • Photo: Dennis Relojo-Howell

      Dennis Relojo-Howell answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      Diagnosis (and labelling) can be stubborn. They have that stickiness (as you put it). I have a friend who had schizophrenia – He’s on medication now and teaches at a university in the US. He says that his diagnosis will probably stay with him for most of his life.

      Diagnosis have their purpose, but it’s important to realise that behind those labels are human beings.

    • Photo: Robert Dempsey

      Robert Dempsey answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      Not necessarily – there is a discussion in clinical psychology about getting rid of these diagnostic labels as they’re not always that reliable, many people get misdiagnosed or have changes in their diagnosis, and the ‘labelling’ and stigma aspect of these diagnoses can be difficult.

      For some people, getting a diagnosis can be a good thing (helps them to make sense of their experiences and gives a name to their experience), for others a diagnostic label isn’t helpful. There is a discussion about focusing more on symptoms people experience rather than labels as many common mental health ‘symptoms’ are shared across different diagnoses (e.g. I work with people with bipolar disorder who could experience symptoms associated with anxiety, psychosis, ADHD, autism, suicidality, substance use ‘disorders’, amongst others – but this does vary across people). I think labels have some usage but we should be aware that they are not perfect and don’t completely define someone

    • Photo: Nicola Johnstone

      Nicola Johnstone answered on 13 Jun 2019:

      For some it’s useful as it helps to understand. But it’s up to the individual if they want it to ‘stick’. Diagnosis is usually a good thing – it usually means that treatment and help can begin.

    • Photo: Oliver Clabburn

      Oliver Clabburn answered on 13 Jun 2019:

      I think a label perhaps does stick. But it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Some people talk about the relief felt when they finally get a label for something. It means that they now have a name for the issue. For some this means treatment can begin. For others, perhaps just having a name/label means being able to connect with others and can create a support network.

    • Photo: Jasmin Moon

      Jasmin Moon answered on 13 Jun 2019:

      I think the label can be as ‘sticky’ as you want it to be!
      Although it is likely to remain on your medical records, who you choose to tell this to is up to you.
      Some people like having a diagnosis as it answers a lot of their questions and means they can access treatment.
      But some people feel there is still a stigma around mental health and choose not to tell others because they are worried about how they will be perceived by others.
      There is no right or wrong way, but I encourage people to do what is right for them and to not be ashamed of having mental health problems because it’s nearly always more common than they think.

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