Exactly. So glad you’re telling your story, Sarah. I wrote about it from a therapists perspective in one of my posts. So many identify as their diagnosis and it’s so damaging - we may have a condition but we are not that condition and we can get so stuck by identification - we attach to our identities. Underneath that what is really missing is our connection to our true nature, our authentic selves which are so much bigger than any label. We should do a livestream sometime!
I think it's really brave if you, because for me, in the beginning knowing gave me solice, insight, and the ability to be kinder to myself. But at some point, especially in the last year, I have begun to feel pathologized, and that does not feel great.
I'm getting back to basics and focusing more on befriending my mind. It's really, really challenging to switch the dialogue in my mind.
As a therapist I fought against labels that limit the deeper exploration of causation. Also?. It wrecks the genius trajectory of uniqueness of what you CAN AND WANT TO DO. And yet to be identified and seen as suffering those symptoms can be soothing to not feel alone, able to find a group who has knowledge.
So many people have clearly bio caused issues and are made to think they caused them. Dysregulation can bring us to our knees. And if a blood test doesn’t validate it, they are sent to me. I’m a medical social worker and therapist. And I have had some of the problems that I just know are NOT psychological. E.g… Addiction is a result of trying to regulate.
I catch post concussion and tachycardia Lymes and myalgic encephalopathy (chronic fatigue) that doctors blow off. Your work (and writing and love of punctuation) is so marvelous. Thank you. Cynthia Wall, LCSW “Cyn”
Cynthia, you’re my hero. So smart. And one of those really doing the good work. I love this: “ It wrecks the genius trajectory of uniqueness of what you CAN AND WANT TO DO.”
Your realizations and proclamations of misdiagnosis and identification with those diagnoses are changing lives. In the last three years, I feel like I have emerged from a dark forest of misinformation. I believed in the DSM as a bible and my bipolar I diagnosis would be lifelong.
I am rapidly reevaluating my understanding of mental illness treatment and it’s work like yours that helps me gain traction. I never dreamed of having an exit strategy and now I know it’s possible.
Please continue to let people know there’s a path out. You’re doing an amazing service for so many. Congratulations on your book’s success and your Substack enterprise. You’re a lighthouse.
I haven't read "Cured" but I'll treat that deficiency soon. Meanwhile, an extension of your thoughts, Sarah. My sister, a very successful lawyer and jurist, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It devastated her. Knocked her off course into immediate early retirement. She became obsessed with her disease. Indeed she became her disease. She wore her diagnosis, as you say. It became her identity. I watched in horror. I was no help, alas. I wonder what sort of help might have "helped."
Here in Australia we have a national scheme that supports those with a disability and/or mental health diagnosis. The way to gain access to this scheme is via assessments such as the DSM-V and other reports. A lot of credence is placed on this which means we are always working from a deficit standpoint. This means that those engaging in the scheme (it’s insurance based) are working towards ensuring they have a quantifiable diagnosis.
As a mental health clinician it concerns me because all too often, this then becomes their whole identity. I think this is such a shame.
In the 80s I was a punk rocker and my mantra was Question Authority. I refused to listen to anyone. Almost six decades later I can look back and see how lucky I was. I was diagnosed, labeled and hospitalized, but I kept slipping through the noose.
My therapist told me to write down my feelings. I don’t think she expected this. What follows is less “feelings” and more stray thoughts, complaints, and bad jokes that sound better in my head than in public.
Exactly. So glad you’re telling your story, Sarah. I wrote about it from a therapists perspective in one of my posts. So many identify as their diagnosis and it’s so damaging - we may have a condition but we are not that condition and we can get so stuck by identification - we attach to our identities. Underneath that what is really missing is our connection to our true nature, our authentic selves which are so much bigger than any label. We should do a livestream sometime!
We should! It’s so true. You must have a unique perspective as a therapist. It would be cool to talk.
So true! Taking on a diagnosis as an identity is so damaging on a number of levels.
This has become my new "goal". I'm so tired of identifying with my diagnosis.
I probably didn’t say this enough in the post, but it’s challenging. It was really challenging.
I think it's really brave if you, because for me, in the beginning knowing gave me solice, insight, and the ability to be kinder to myself. But at some point, especially in the last year, I have begun to feel pathologized, and that does not feel great.
I'm getting back to basics and focusing more on befriending my mind. It's really, really challenging to switch the dialogue in my mind.
As a therapist I fought against labels that limit the deeper exploration of causation. Also?. It wrecks the genius trajectory of uniqueness of what you CAN AND WANT TO DO. And yet to be identified and seen as suffering those symptoms can be soothing to not feel alone, able to find a group who has knowledge.
So many people have clearly bio caused issues and are made to think they caused them. Dysregulation can bring us to our knees. And if a blood test doesn’t validate it, they are sent to me. I’m a medical social worker and therapist. And I have had some of the problems that I just know are NOT psychological. E.g… Addiction is a result of trying to regulate.
I catch post concussion and tachycardia Lymes and myalgic encephalopathy (chronic fatigue) that doctors blow off. Your work (and writing and love of punctuation) is so marvelous. Thank you. Cynthia Wall, LCSW “Cyn”
Cynthia, you’re my hero. So smart. And one of those really doing the good work. I love this: “ It wrecks the genius trajectory of uniqueness of what you CAN AND WANT TO DO.”
Sarah,
Your realizations and proclamations of misdiagnosis and identification with those diagnoses are changing lives. In the last three years, I feel like I have emerged from a dark forest of misinformation. I believed in the DSM as a bible and my bipolar I diagnosis would be lifelong.
I am rapidly reevaluating my understanding of mental illness treatment and it’s work like yours that helps me gain traction. I never dreamed of having an exit strategy and now I know it’s possible.
Please continue to let people know there’s a path out. You’re doing an amazing service for so many. Congratulations on your book’s success and your Substack enterprise. You’re a lighthouse.
Thank you so much, Colleen I feel such a connection to you.
I haven't read "Cured" but I'll treat that deficiency soon. Meanwhile, an extension of your thoughts, Sarah. My sister, a very successful lawyer and jurist, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It devastated her. Knocked her off course into immediate early retirement. She became obsessed with her disease. Indeed she became her disease. She wore her diagnosis, as you say. It became her identity. I watched in horror. I was no help, alas. I wonder what sort of help might have "helped."
This article bothers me on a number of levels.
Here in Australia we have a national scheme that supports those with a disability and/or mental health diagnosis. The way to gain access to this scheme is via assessments such as the DSM-V and other reports. A lot of credence is placed on this which means we are always working from a deficit standpoint. This means that those engaging in the scheme (it’s insurance based) are working towards ensuring they have a quantifiable diagnosis.
As a mental health clinician it concerns me because all too often, this then becomes their whole identity. I think this is such a shame.
In the 80s I was a punk rocker and my mantra was Question Authority. I refused to listen to anyone. Almost six decades later I can look back and see how lucky I was. I was diagnosed, labeled and hospitalized, but I kept slipping through the noose.
My therapist told me to write down my feelings. I don’t think she expected this. What follows is less “feelings” and more stray thoughts, complaints, and bad jokes that sound better in my head than in public.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-167556865