Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be defined as the identification and labeling of a disease based on its signs and symptoms. A clinical psychologist or a Psychiatrist diagnose mental disorders using the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
The manual lists various criteria for each mental disorder included in the book. When an individual seeks the help of a mental health clinician, the clinician interviews the client (along with family members when appropriate), gathers a medical history, and may administer psychological evaluations (various checklists or tests that the patient may complete) in order to establish a diagnosis. Once the clinician has gathered the necessary information, a diagnosis based on the symptoms may be assigned from the DSM.

One of the main purposes of diagnosis is to guide treatment planning. If doctors know that a particular disorder has shown to be treated effectively with a drug or with a specific therapy, then the best practice can be applied to a new case of that disorder. The diagnosis also helps to establish a prognosis for the patient and his or her family, and it helps to enable communication among the professionals (including insurers) involved in a patient’s care. Additionally, a formal diagnosis as recognized by the DSM may be necessary in order for insurers to pay for medical services, insurance and work cover. Furthermore a formal diagnosis is used also in both the legal and forensic settings. The act of labeling a mental disorder may have unintended effects for the person with the disorder, however. Although the DSM states that its diagnoses do not label people, in reality, many people who have received diagnoses of mental disorders may feel affected by the label their disorder has been given. People diagnosed with mental disorders may feel stigmatized, and that others’ perceptions of them—as well as their self-perceptions— have changed as a result of their diagnosis. Thus the diagnosis is done collaboratively with the patient and their family if required in a manner that promotes the understanding of facts and the feelings that may arouse following the diagnosis.

Stigma effects both the patient and their family and thus we all have a role in creating a mentally healthy community that supports recovery and social inclusion and reduces discrimination.

Simple ways to achieve this include:

• Learn and share the facts about mental health and illness
• Get to know people with personal experiences of mental illness
• Speak up in protest when friends, family, colleagues or the media display false beliefs and negative stereotypes
• Offer the same support to people when they are physically or mentally unwell
• Don’t label or judge people with a mental illness, treat them with respect and dignity as you would anyone else
• Don’t discriminate when it comes to participation, housing and employment
• Talk openly of your own experience of mental illness. The more hidden mental illness remains, the more people continue to believe that it is shameful and needs to be concealed.

• Myth: Mental illness only affects a few people.

  Fact:

  Mental illness is common. One in five Australians will experience a mental illness. It affects people of all ages, educational and income levels and cultures.

  Myth: Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness.

  Fact:

  A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is caused by genetic, biological, social and environmental factors. Seeking and accepting help is a sign of strength.

  Myth: People with a mental illness never get better.

  Fact:

  With the right kind of help, most people do recover and lead healthy, productive and satisfying lives.

  Myth: People with a mental illness can “pull themselves out of it”.

  Fact:

  A mental illness is not caused by personal weakness and is not “cured” by personal strength.

  Myth: People with a mental illness are violent.

  Fact:

  People with a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than the rest of the population. People with a mental illness are more likely to harm themselves – or to be harmed – than they are to hurt other people.

  Myth: People with a mental illness should be kept in hospital.

  Fact:

  With appropriate treatment and support, people with mental illness can live successfully in the community.  In fact, the majority of people with a mental illness live independently in the community.