Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety or depression? Maybe you’ve taken an online quiz that told you you have ADHD or dyslexia. At first, these labels can bring a sense of relief or even direction—finally, an explanation for what you’ve been feeling. But have you ever stopped to wonder: How permanent are these labels? As we grow and change, could these diagnoses shift along with us? In a world where we're constantly evolving, can any single diagnosis really capture the full picture of who we are?
While diagnoses can offer clarity, they also raise important questions about how we see ourselves. With our growing understanding of the brain's ability to change, it’s worth exploring whether mental health diagnoses should be viewed as lifelong labels or simply as temporary tools.
More importantly, how can we adopt a growth-oriented and trauma-informed approach to mental health—one that empowers us to evolve beyond the labels and fully embrace our potential for change? Get ready and hang on tight, as I dive into the pros and cons of mental health diagnoses, discuss the controversy surrounding the DSM, and explore this more dynamic approach to mental well-being.
The Benefits of Mental Health Diagnoses
Access to Treatment and Support One of the most significant advantages of receiving a mental health diagnosis is that it provides access to targeted treatment options, such as therapy and medication, that are scientifically proven to be effective for specific conditions (Cipriani et al., 2018). For example, people diagnosed with depression can receive antidepressants that have been shown to work better than placebo in many cases. Diagnoses offer clarity, acting as a roadmap to guide individuals through their mental health journey.
Insurance and Healthcare Coverage In many healthcare systems, a formal diagnosis is often required for insurance coverage. Without a diagnosis, individuals may struggle to access the therapy or medication they need. This can make mental health diagnoses essential for opening the door to vital healthcare services.
Understanding and Validation For some, a diagnosis validates their experience and offers relief by providing a name for what they’ve been feeling. It helps them understand that their symptoms are not a personal failing but part of a recognised condition. This can empower individuals to seek help and make sense of their struggles.
The Drawbacks of Mental Health Diagnoses
While there are undeniable benefits to diagnoses, they can also come with serious downsides—especially when people begin to over-identify with these labels.
Fixed Mindset and Over-Identification One of the main concerns is that diagnoses can lead individuals, particularly young people, to view themselves through the narrow lens of their condition. Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset shows that how we perceive our abilities has a significant impact on our personal growth (Dweck, 2015). Mental health diagnoses, when viewed as permanent, can encourage a fixed mindset, trapping individuals in the belief that they are their diagnosis and limiting their capacity to change. Instead of seeing mental health as fluid, individuals may feel defined by labels like "anxious" or "depressed." It’s important to reiterate here that adopting a growth mindset allows us to view diagnoses as part of the journey, not the destination. This shift in perspective can empower individuals to believe that change is possible, no matter the label they’ve been given.
Stigmatisation Mental health diagnoses also come with the risk of social stigma. Society often unfairly judges people with mental health conditions, which can lead to discrimination in various areas, including the workplace, schools, and even healthcare. According to Pescosolido et al. (2020), while stigma around mental health has lessened somewhat in recent years, it still exists and can affect an individual’s willingness to seek help and share their experiences.
Diagnostic Inaccuracy and Reductionism Diagnosing mental health conditions is far from an exact science. The DSM has long been criticised for its rigid classification system that often reduces complex human experiences into simple categories (Johnstone, 2018). For instance, two people with the same diagnosis of depression may experience vastly different symptoms, but the diagnosis lumps them together as if their conditions are the same. Furthermore, mental health is not static. New research on neuroplasticity suggests that the brain is capable of change throughout life, meaning that mental health diagnoses may not be as permanent as we once thought (Davidson & McEwen, 2015).
Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care and the DSM: Avoiding Diagnosis Stigma with Neuroplasticity
The DSM has also been critiqued for not adequately addressing the role of trauma in mental health. Trauma-informed care emphasises understanding and responding to the effects of trauma, which often manifest in ways that don’t fit neatly into the DSM's diagnostic categories (Allsopp et al., 2019). This emerging approach focuses less on labelling and more on understanding the individual’s lived experience and how trauma may be influencing their mental health.
Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from 'What's wrong with you?' to 'What experiences have shaped your journey?'—a more compassionate and holistic way of viewing mental health struggles. This approach not only reduces the stigma often associated with a mental health diagnosis, but it also aligns with the principles of neuroplasticity, encouraging healing and recovery as ongoing processes, rather than fixed states. It emphasises understanding the root causes of mental health struggles, often linked to trauma, and promotes healing through empathy and understanding (Allsopp et al., 2019).
We Are Always Evolving: A Case for Growth
The truth is, we are constantly changing. The human brain is malleable and capable of significant growth and adaptation throughout our lives, thanks to neuroplasticity. With this knowledge, it’s essential to see mental health diagnoses as temporary guides rather than permanent labels. Neuroscience now shows that with the right interventions—such as therapy, self-compassion, and lifestyle changes—people can reshape their neural pathways and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaviour (Davidson & McEwen, 2015).
Diagnoses as Guides, Not Definitions
As research continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of mental health. With growing emphasis on personalised approaches and the dynamic nature of the brain, the future of mental health care looks promising. Diagnoses should guide treatment, but they should never limit growth. By embracing a trauma-informed, growth-oriented approach, we can help individuals transcend labels and fully realise their capacity for change.
Have you been caught up in these debates regarding diagnoses before? Do these points resonate with you? Let us know! Also, if you need support or want to book a free consultation, reach out directly to gabrielle@onpointpsychotherapy.com. I'm also contactable via phone and WhatsApp at +61 466 160 115, and on Instagram @gabrielle_onpoint. I look forward to hearing from you!
References
Allsopp, K., Read, J., Corcoran, R., & Kinderman, P. (2019). Heterogeneity in psychiatric diagnostic classification. Psychiatry Research, 279, (pp. 15-22). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.07.005
Burnette, J. L., O'Boyle, E. H., VanEpps, E. M., Pollack, J. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2019). Mindsets matter: A meta-analytic review of implicit theories and self-regulation. Psychological Bulletin, 145(5), (pp. 539-560). https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000193
Cipriani, A., Furukawa, T. A., Salanti, G., Chaimani, A., Atkinson, L. Z., Ogawa, Y., ... & Geddes, J. R. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet, 391(10128), (pp. 1357-1366). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7
Cuthbert, B. N. (2020). The RDoC framework: Facilitating transition from ICD/DSM to dimensional approaches that integrate neuroscience and psychopathology. World Psychiatry, 19(1), (pp. 32-33). https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20757
Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2015). Social influences on neuroplasticity: Stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 18, (pp. 91-93). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4005
Dweck, C. S. (2015). Growth mindset and mental health. Educational Psychologist, 50(3), (pp. 237-246). https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2015.1067356
Johnstone, L. (2018). The Power Threat Meaning Framework: Overview. The British Psychological Society. https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/ptmf-overview
Pescosolido, B. A., Martin, J. K., Long, J. S., Medina, T. R., Phelan, J. C., & Link, B. G. (2020). Stigma and mental health treatment. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(1), (pp. 29-40). https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30144-9
Gabrielle-Beth Volovsky
Psychotherapy and Counselling Professional
Certified PACFA Counsellor
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