For a long while I was afraid to write things such as “I am mentally ill” or “I am bipolar.” I was afraid of labels.
By calling myself a manic-depressive would I trap my psyche in “sick” mode? By accepting my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, would I prevent healing? By writing the words “I am mentally ill,” was I holding myself to a place that I was, but not where I am now, or where I could go?
I spent a fair amount of time pondering this (I’m a natural ruminator)…. I thought about attracting bad karma by writing about my illness, about feeding my anxiety by connecting with others who also struggle with depression, about stifling my spirit by posing all of my questions and frustrations online in an effort to figure out and assemble this humongous, Anchisaurus (a kind of dinosaur) 500-plus piece puzzle of mental illness.
And then I arrived at this guess (because there are no answers): No.
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You have some of the same stomping ground as me.
Some people aren’t OK with labels, citing that it adds to stigma and defines a person. While substance use is a bit different, I quit labeling myself awhile ago. Once I hit diagnosis #4, I started rolling my eyes. Yeah, I accept my issues, but puting a name to them feels like a moot point.
That said, whatever gets a person through a day. I’m not a fan of labeling a group of people (e.g. “Those Schizophrenics”), but if someone wants to label themself, whatever. If it leads to acceptance, than it’s a good thing.
I know a person who has received 14 diagnoses during the patient “career” in the mental health system. This person is not at all happy with the labels.
Diagnoses are dangerous to many people. Psychologist Alice Miller said: “We have so many diagnostic labels that help to disguise the abuse. And this is exactly the reason why people MUST become severely ill: they are in a total isolation with their pain.”
Theresa,
I can’t believe I found you. Your writing is so refreshing. I too am a recovering drunk (sounds bad, doesn’t it?), and am doing my best to flip that person over and finally be the Dad and Husband I should be.
I too have been labeled with Major Depression and at first I hated that label, and now I’m ok with it. Thank you for your insight and your courage to speak your mind in the loving way that you do. I loved your interview with Fox and Friends. Please say a little prayer for my newest project, Voice of Truth Ministry, and may God bless your work.
“Andrew”