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Benefits versus risks of diagnosis in psychiatry

Posted by ed_uk on December 6, 2004, at 10:39:36

In reply to Re: Distinct Physiological entity, posted by banga on December 6, 2004, at 10:10:54

It would be good to hear some suggestions. Here are some examples....

Risks,

1. Stigma eg. schizophrenia, personality disorder

2. May lead to inappropriate treatment due to a 'one size fits all' mentality eg. the prevailing attitude in the UK that everyone with depressive symptoms should be treated with an SSRI, whatever their symptoms.

3. Difficulties getting a job.

4. Tendency to medicalise 'normal' life processes eg. grief.

5. Possible excessive use of medication to treat a 'disorder' when other treatments might be more suitable.

6. Encouraging people to feel that they can't help themselves because they have a 'real disorder.'

7. Shame of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis.

8. Reduction of personal responsibility ie. blaming your disorder for your unpleasant behaviour.

9. May give little information about cause or prognosis.

Benefits,

1. Recognition that other people have similar problems.

2. 'Now my condition has a name I can find a suitable treatment'.

3. A concise way to summarise your problems.

4. Reduction of excessive guilt eg. a woman may feel completely responsible for her husband's depression until he is diagnosed.

5. Getting insurance companies to pay for treatment.

6. Possible reduction in stigma... 'he's not mad he's ill'.

7. Helps people to take mental health problems more seriously if they have a name.

8. Diagnostic criteria useful in research and clinical trials.

9. Developing a common language among psychiatrists.

Ed.



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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:ed_uk thread:422741
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041206/msgs/425228.html