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Is there any real benefit to getting mentally diagnosed? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by IronKrill@lemmy.ca to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.ca

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Title, basically. I know I have issues, but I couldn't say if it's depression, ADD, or just general problems. Is the only reason to have a diagnosis so you know what to work on, or are there other benefits such as easier access to therapy?

My question is meant specifically for Canada, but feel free to chip in from other countries. :)

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[–] NotAnArdvark@lemmy.ca 4 points 8 months ago

It felt like a huge relief to get names put on things I had been experiencing for most my life. It helped me pull apart a "me" and a "challenge I have."

Before, it was all "me," and I had a guilt around why I struggled so much in certain areas where so many didn't, and why I seemed so hard to help. But with a name to apply to these struggles, now the "me" was the part that had just been trying to cope with challenges many other people didn't have to worry about.

This is much better for feelings of self-worth. I can reasonably think "well, they too might be acting this way if their brain was kicking up shit like mine tends to do."

It also helps me understand my history and why I may have done things I did. I believe this more the longer I'm on medication. With a clearer head I start to drop coping mechanisms that no longer serve me, and I have a longer time line to notice what actually works for me - for all areas of life that everyone deals with. I guess... Like, it's not all just mental chaos now, I can actually pin down cause and effect. Like, I like a regular bed time because I like being able to concentrate the next day. In the past I would have no idea how an irregular sleep schedule might affect me because my ability to concentrate was constantly in flux with no discernable cause.

Of course, the help you get is better too once everyone knows what they're dealing with.