3 ms·
It's notable that people are finally questioning the value of diagnosing every possible thing. In addition to the streetlight effect (https://en.wikipedia.org/w
by quadrangle 9y ago
It's notable that people are finally questioning the value of diagnosing every possible thing. In addition to the streetlight effect (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetlight_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetlight_effect), learning a diagnosis that doesn't have a treatment can be just distracting.
The value of a diagnosis depends on the situation. For someone already overly distracted by wondering what's going on, a diagnosis provides relief from that. For someone just living their life and doing all they already can to get by and not worrying about these things, a diagnosis that wouldn't change their treatment/behavior seems just costly.
- Aramgutang 9y agoWhy would "someone just living their life and doing all they already can to get by and not worrying about these things" be seeking a diagnosis/treatment in the first place? Things are generally only considered "disorders" when they prevent you from leading a normal life, with ability of advancing in a career, forming meaningful relationships, etc. For example, Trump may well exhibit the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, but it clearly does not get in the way of his life, and he's able to accomplish goals that he sets out. Thus, he cannot be said to have a "disorder". Also, for many of us, psychiatric diagnosis and treatment isn't "costly", it's free. And if you meant opportunity cost, patients generally have the freedom to stop treatment if they feel that the costs overweight the benefits.