I am ambivalent about using diagnostic labels (i.e. bipolar, ADHD, clinical depression, etc.) On the one hand it’s quite useful to be able to fit my current hypothesis about a client into an existing schema. I’m not constantly re-inventing the therapeutic wheel. And a short-hand for talking/consulting with other professionals saves time.
On the other hand, the danger is that I will mistake the diagnosis for the person. Or worse yet, the client will “own” the label as their identity. (“I have an obsessive compulsive disorder” is very different from “I am OCD”.)
The very worst outcome when using diagnostic labels is we give someone a ready made excuse for not changing.
Or, maybe that’s not so bad… I always thought I was just a lousy golfer. Now I realize it’s not my fault: I may have a neurological disorder. I wonder if I can sue under the American’s with Disabilities Act and force the PGA to let me on the tour?
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