Considering the latest meeting with my Scientific Writing and Communication group and the essay we have to write on labels, I thought of connecting them to Research Methods in terms of how important they can be, and how ethical labelling a patient actually is.
On the one hand, as a psychology student, I recognise and appreciate labelling and categorizing mental disorders and their importance when it comes to my studies and my job as a psychologist later in life (since I partially have to be a researcher as well). Without labelling, chaos would occur and trying to figure out what a patient might suffer from would be impossible.
On the other hand, as a person that suffers from a mental disorder, I can tell that living with a label does not only change your personal life, but it also changes the way others treat you. In my opinion, sufficient education is needed, so that labels should not be confused nor connected to stereotypes (think of the connection of the words schizophrenia and madness) and that patients understand that realising their condition is already part of accepting it and dealing with it.
As psychology students, what are your opinions on this matter? Do you think that labels should be used or not?
I agree with your point that labeling is necessary in treating patients. However there is a fine line between correct labeling, stereotypes and assumptions, for example with schizophrenia, people often mistake with multiple personality disorder, which are two different disorders entirely. Also it seems like the disadvantages of labeling outnumber the advantages. What if someone is labeled wrongly? You're right that this label would change their life entirely, as it would legally have to be mentioned in Curriculum Vitae's, which would affect which jobs they get, and so affecting income and possibly leading to poverty. Another issue is that mental disorders are usually on a scale of severity, and this scale may differ on different days. So, someone with depression may be going through a good period, in which their depression is at it's best, whereas if someone mentioned they have depression in a job interview, the interviewer may just assume that they would be a bad worker as their depression would effect their attendence all the time, whereas they may of not actually had a bad period of depression for 2 years or so. Anyway.. rambling now! I could debate for hours about labels, so I really liked your post :)
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that when a label is given to a person it will not only have a negative effect on the way others act towards them through their own assumptions on the illness and classic stereotypes but it could also have a negative effect on the person who has been labelled. In some cases it has been shown that labeling can create a self fulfilling prophecy in which the individual believes that this label defines them and that this is how they should act from now on. Therefore it could lead to a negative spiral of decline where the individuals health deteriorates.
ReplyDeleteI believe the use of labels are necessary but we should be more careful when giving them as an incorrect label can take a while to offload. Rosenhan et al (1973) shows how easily a label of schizophrenia was given to 8 pseudo-patients out of the 8 all but 1 where admitted and treated for Schizophrenia. This experiment was run in 12 different hospitals in 5 different states in USA.
I really enjoy this topic and i'm glad someone has written a blog on it!
I agree that understanding of mental conditions should be vital within the education system so that people do not learn to trust in the media’s assumptions or exaggerated version of such conditions. We should have names in order to diagnose a person with what they are suffering from, but this label should not take over their personality which can be a risk at times especially if the person is diagnosed at a young age. In my opinion, it is ethical to label mental illnesses because it puts people at rest to know they are suffering from a problem they have no control over, and then they can also know what to expect. But when this diagnosis should be given is important as you do not want a young boy to know he is showing symptoms of schizophrenia or he may act up to what he assumes about the condition.
ReplyDeleteGood idea to write about this problem =]
Heyy Eva, very thought provoking! I agree that labels do need to be used but only on a categorical level rather than a personal level. Labels can be very damaging especially when used to define a persons life. It amazes me how each label comes with its own connotations, some very strong and impacting and others which don't even do much to scratch the surface. To me a label is a label and should be used as nothing more..
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting debate, I personally believe that conditions and mental health issues should be named but should tactfully. Like in the APA manual where they discuss the correct terms to use. It also depends on the individual and at what point they see it crossing from a fact about them to an offensive label. It is a very tricky debate to settle though. Although I agree that some people can be treated differently with labels, it can also be said that by avoiding these labels they may not get the consideration needed to live a normal life.
ReplyDeleteFor example if a child with autism was put into a school with other children without the condition without it being explained to them, they could treat him differently as they would not understand his actions if he were to deal with a situation differently to themselves. Yet if his condition was named as autism to the other children and explained, they could understand and be more accepting of any differences they see between themselves and the child with autism. At a young age they may not understand the implications of such conditions and by simply explaining what autism is they can accept that like with a physical illness or disability, not everybody is the same.
Thank you everyone for commenting my blog! I was really glad that you find it interesting. I was based on my personal experience and how the label of my disorder changed my life, so I'm really excited that it has an impact on you :)
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thanks a lot!
This is a good topic. I think there are strong arguments for both wanting and disregarding ‘labels’ in psychology. The problem i think is our society. Ideally, psychologists, doctors and nurses could talk about someone’s illness and ‘labels’ in front of them, using technical vocabulary and labels to help speed up any further processes and treatment. However, in this day and age the patient has every right to know exactly what each word, treatment and label means; what it categorises them as, and how it will/can change their life. The fact that, once diagnosed, one dwells and quickly finds excuse in their label is not a surprise. It’s like convincing somebody that they are ill because they sneeze rather than maybe looking into the possibility of a dusty chair. It would be interesting to hear how being labelled has affected your life.
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