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Diagnostic Labels as Powerful Communications

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Diagnostic Labels as Powerful Communications

Diagnostic labels are used as verbal shorthand for describing the characteristics of a

specific item. There are a wide range of people who use labels to ease communication when

describing problems and needs, deciding on actions, discussing practices, or interpreting the

outcomes of those actions (Heitler, 2012). For both research and treatment purposes, health

care professionals use current nomology to assign diagnostic labels to individuals. Even if

symptoms of illness onset differ among members of a group, it is reasonable to assume that

the underlying cause of illness is the same for everyone in the group. Diagnostic labels help

researchers and clinicians make such assumptions (Garand et al., 2009). Furthermore,

diagnostic labels are used to categorize patients into distinct groups. As a result, diagnostic

labels accomplish a number of tasks.

To begin with, diagnostic labels make it easier for doctors and researchers to digest

large amounts of data. Patients can be described using these terms, which include symptoms

and may also hint at a patient's course and diagnosis (Garand et al., 2009). Last but not least,

diagnostic labels can provide clues about the cause of a condition as well as point to possible

treatments. For example, hypothyroidism frequently causes symptoms that are similar to

those of depression in patients being evaluated for the disorder. Physicians can avoid

potentially harmful treatments by using diagnostic labeling to accurately label patients.

Diagnostic labels can be used as identification cards to gain entry to public services

and to form networks of people who share a diagnosis. In the end, a diagnosis isn't enough to

ensure one gets the right treatment, and it can be associated with anxiety and stigma

(Chakrabarti, 2018). The diagnostic label alone is rarely enough information to determine the

best course of action from a treatment perspective. People with ASD have a wide range of

symptoms, some of which are more pronounced than others. Both of these individuals will

benefit greatly from a variety of treatment options. For any mental health diagnosis, there is
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no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. As a result, a diagnostic label has limited value in

determining the best course of treatment.

Despite this, diagnostic labels can be helpful when they lead to greater empathy and

better responses (Heitler, 2012). Getting an accurate diagnosis of a difficult spouse's

behavior, for example, can be just as life-altering. For example, you may have more patience

with a child's high energy if he is diagnosed with ADHD, for example. You may also be able

to administer a life-altering medication to him. To be successful in life, he needs to build

strong foundations in knowledge and self-esteem, which he can do now that he is able to

focus and settle down in school, allowing him to learn more effectively.

Accurate diagnostic labeling can also be beneficial to the individual. Declaring an

unsettled state of mind "anxious" can help you take a step back, examine what's causing your

jitters, and figure out what to do next (Heitler, 2012). There are three things you can do to get

started. As a first step, it is necessary to use emotional labels as a way to identify a solution.

Second, identifying one's personality disorder can help one better manage one's interactions

with others and with one's own personality. Finally, it is recommended that the most

conclusive diagnostic labels be used.

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References

Chakrabarti, B. (2018, October 10). Diagnostic labels for mental health conditions are not

always useful. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/diagnostic-labels-for-

mental-health-conditions-are-not-always-useful-102943

Garand, L., Lingler, J. H., Conner, K. O., & Dew, M. A. (2009). Diagnostic labels, stigma,

and participation in research related to dementia and mild cognitive

impairment. Research in gerontological nursing, 2(2), 112-121.

doi:10.3928/19404921-20090401-04

Heitler, S. (2012). Psychological diagnosis: Dangerous, desirable, or both? How do labels

hurt and how can they be helpful. Psychology Today.