4 ms·
Like you, I am not as confident as some of the other commenters that a diagnosis is beneficial in all circumstances. The issue is not whether mental health diso
by rtl49 11y ago
Like you, I am not as confident as some of the other commenters that a diagnosis is beneficial in all circumstances. The issue is not whether mental health disorders exist, but the difficulty in diagnosing them accurately and treating them effectively. Their definitions are nebulous, the symptoms are subjective, and some of them only exist within a certain social context. With a diagnosis, a person might find a treatment, or may become resigned to being a certain way. Subjective symptoms might arise as a result of belief in the diagnosis, thereby confirming it. Treatment options are often of doubtful effectiveness, and those that are shown to be effective are generally very blunt instruments. The fact is that our understanding of the human mind remains primitive, and we much approach this subject with humility.
- lfowles 11y agoI feel like I'm all over the place in this thread! > Treatment options are often of doubtful effectiveness, and those that are shown to be effective are generally very blunt instruments. I have to agree with this, but the alternative is often self medication. Before getting on ADHD medication, it was the norm for me to get a 2-liter of caffeinated soda merely to be able to focus on playing games or coding (for fun!) in the evening. Diagnoses have the potential to hurt as well as help, but IMO it's best that we can provide the tools for bettering yourself (also applicable to welfare spending, heh).