Psychiatric Diagnoses

They don’t explain ‘why’ – only ‘how’


Key points:

  • Psychiatric diagnoses, like major depressive disorder and ADHD, are not explanatory.
  • They simply describe the symptoms that most commonly occur.
  • However, even these symptoms can vary enormously between people.
  • Why these have occurred now is what needs to be addressed in good therapy.

My neighbour glared at me when, recently, I suggested that she might like to join me in a litter pick being organised to help clear up our local park.

“I have depression,” she said icily, fixing me with a narrow-eyed stare.

I could have pointed out that it would do her a lot of good to be out and active in the open air, connecting with other people, doing something helpful for those in the neighbourhood – all these known to be factors associated with helping to lift mood. However, Marion already spends a lot of time being sociable when she wants to, engaging in activities she likes, such as shopping and painting, and going for coffee with friends.

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This article was first published on Psychology Today, and was written by Denise Winn.

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