The limitations of diagnoses and labels
There is an increasing dialogue about diagnoses, with more individuals identifying with labels they have learned online.
Naming, language, and frameworks are all important tools for destigmatising, normalising, understanding, and containing various experiences. These tools are intended to enhance your sense of agency and help you create the changes you desire, better understand others, and gain a broader perspective on the culture and context around you.
Yet, labels can also obstruct our efforts for positive change. They create meaning that can trigger strong emotions, which may hinder the search for a specific and effective solution. The way we narrate our stories and describe ourselves and others impacts how we continue to think, feel, and thus behave. We all tend to do this. One of the helpful ways I get around this is by encouraging my clients to set aside conclusions (e.g., "my friend just didn’t care", “I was just lazy”) and instead describe events as if they are neutral observers.
Without nuance, labels and categories can restrict your possibilities, increase helplessness, heighten judgement of others, and harm your relationships. For example, quickly labelling someone’s behaviour can create a “me vs. them” mentality, where we focus on our differences instead of recognising our common goals. This mindset can lead us to believe that the other person is unchanging and that understanding between us is impossible. We might think, “I would never behave that way. They are [insert label], and that’s typical of such people.” As a result, we may experience stronger anger and resentment. The more we tell ourselves this story, the more entrenched it becomes, which does not improve the situation.
Similarly, this focus on diagnosis or quick labelling of our experiences can also lead to self-stigma and isolation, causing us to view ourselves as pathological compared to others; rather than recognising that our suffering is part of our common humanity. Much of our suffering is a shared human experience and reflects the challenges of living life. “Over-reactions" and “unhealthy” behaviours are often coping responses to legitimate needs. The range of what is considered a normal human experience is quite broad.
Ultimately, a diagnosis is simply a snapshot of your symptoms at a specific moment in your life. While it provides some information, it does not offer a complete understanding of your situation. It doesn't clarify why you are experiencing these symptoms, what keeps them going, or what steps you can take to address them. Moreover, it is not a definitive judgment about your identity or a statement about who you will always be.
My concern with the growing trend of seeking diagnoses is that we often rush to obtain one and feel disappointed if we don’t receive the expected diagnosis. This tendency reveals an underlying bias in favour of getting a diagnosis. While funding is one reason for this bias, it is often not the primary motivation. It's important to question this bias and consider other perspectives.
In seeking a diagnosis, it can be helpful to ask yourself:
Will you stop being curious about alternative explanations for your challenges or reactions?
Will you feel less capable of influencing how you experience life?
Will you be more prone to feeling that an injustice has been done to you, and that if you had received a diagnosis and treatment earlier in life, everything would be so different for you?
Further reading:
On this topic, I recommend this article written by a fellow clinical psychologist in Melbourne, whose opinion here I resonate with. She touched on the role of social media, the process of diagnosis, and the expectation for psychologists to be “affirming” by confirming diagnoses.
This article on the “concept creep” that has led to psychological terms being used more loosely and broadly, and the downsides of that. Prof Nick Haslam, from the University of Melbourne, ran a research study and found an exponential increase in the usage of diagnostic terms.
I’ve also included this other article by a psychiatrist, which contains some paragraphs explaining the complexity of diagnoses and overlap in symptoms.
Caution:
Re: social media mental health advice/ ”tik tok therapy”, I want to emphasise that we all have multiple roles. A mental health professional can also be a social media content creator and a business owner or service provider. Their various interests beyond their work in mental health can influence the perspective and focus of their content. Social media algorithms also prioritise certain content based on trends.
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Remember, labels and diagnoses are tools that should be used as helpful resources to guide treatment or ways for change, not as definitive measures of what is true or false, good or bad, valid or not. Be careful not to hinder your own ability to make positive changes while you’re on this journey of seeking answers.
Labels and diagnoses can provide some insight, but they can also limit your understanding and growth. If you feel confined by a diagnosis or overwhelmed by social media trends, exploring a deeper, more nuanced perspective on your mental health can help you move beyond these restrictions. At Kaki Psychology, I offer empathetic, evidence-based therapy to help you break free from the constraints of labels, embrace your individuality, and foster lasting change. Let’s work together to uncover your true potential and build a more empowered approach to mental well-being.
📍 Kaki Psychology, Prahran, Melbourne
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For more insights on building emotional skills, improving relationships, and managing life’s challenges, check out my video reels on Instagram (@kakipsychology). These bite-sized psychoeducation clips offer practical strategies to help you cultivate emotional awareness, improve communication, and navigate relationships with confidence. Follow along for more expert guidance!
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