Posted by Sean on October 4, 1999, at 18:36:03
In reply to Re: Labeling and diagnosis, posted by Sean on October 4, 1999, at 12:28:46
Wow, Sean, very eloquently put. I hope that marg credits you if she uses your post in her class discussion. I think I would only add that for a psychopathology class, it is important for those thinking of entering the mental health field to keep in mind that diagnoses are merely constructs, as Sean pointed out, to help us organize our thinking about problems and symptoms and how to address them. Too often, though, clinicians can get into the awful habit of conceptualizing entirely within the DSM IV envelope, and forget about the individual experience of the client. And, with insurance companies often calling the shots, there is a tendency to use labels that are "acceptable" to the managed care gatekeepers, which says nothing about the psychological needs of the client or patient. Keep in mind, too, and Sean has already addressed this point, that over time, concepts evolve because of a number of influences--research developments, technological capabiities, but also cultural trends. In short, I would say that it is fine to use diagnoses and labels, but to use them with caution and a grain of salt, ie don't get too caught up in them.
poster:Sean
thread:12497
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12542.html