Does a diagnosis matter?

[steadyonnow]

I have been under CMHTs for 25 years and have received different diagnoses over time. This has obviously affected the treatment I have received. Major improvement to my mental health in the past few years has led to yet another diagnosis. I am confused and also somewhat angry that I wasn't treated for this all those years ago. On the other hand, does it really matter what the 'label' is? Just wondered if others had an opinion on this to debate.

I think that a diagnosis can help a person feel in control, do their own research on symptoms and management, and link with support networks.
From a professionals perspective it can help them understand your symptoms and why a person may behave in a certain way. A lot of medications are used in lots of different treatments though, I think.

There is certainly a lot of crossover in both medication use and symptoms of various conditions. A diagnosis is useful when applying for benefits, etc, I'm sure. I suppose I'm left not knowing what to believe after years of inappropriate medications and psychological therapies.

There is definately a lot of crossover between different diagnoses. DH is under an early intervention in psychosis team, who do not work by diagnoses, they treat the symptoms. I believe there is currently some discussion about whether giving certain diagnoses is a useful thing to do and also arround which symptoms actually should go with which diagnosis. That could be another reason for changing diagnoses.

I think a diagnosis can be a double edged sword, it may get people access to support, treatments, etc, but also carries stigma. And the label doesn't change the symptoms. I asked DH once how he would feel if someone gave him a diagnosis. He said he would feel like someone had given him permission to be himself. Right now he thinks that his symptoms are his fault, rather than seeing them as an illness.

I have lots of opinions on this issue. One concept you could look into is that of diagnostic validity - maybe have a google? If there are specific terms you come across that you do not understand then I can try to explain in plain English.

The issue of whether a diagnosis is helpful is not strictly limited to psychiatry but tends to be more problematic in the field of psychiatry for a number of reasons. I found it helpful to understand the history of psychiatry and psychiatric diagnosis. From this I came to the understanding that what is essentially the same set of what you might call symptoms have existed since records began, and that how they are talked about moves over time and is also culture-dependent. Coming to understand how different eras and cultures react to people who experience different sets of symptoms is something that I find interesting too.

I have looked at some aspects of the history of psychiatry, e.g. the anti-psychiatry movement. Since being diagnosed with a psychotic illness I am interested to look into how this is regarded by different cultures. The recent BBC3 docu on BME experience in the mental health field was interesting and touched on religion and its attitude to illness. More reading needed.

This is a good read on how mental illness is viewed in different cultures, and how that's changing - Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the Westen Mind by Ethan Watters.

Here are some links:

A disorder for everyone - has an active FB group and some upcoming meetings in the North of England later this year.

ISPS International Congress in the United Kingdom in Liverpool at the end of next month.