Are these Labels Really That Helpful?

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DGuru
Toucan
Toucan

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Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Posts: 283

05 Jul 2011, 9:19 pm

I know sometimes people need them to get services or medication but the problem with labels is that people start limiting themselves by them and doing/not doing things just because of the label that they otherwise would've done or they judge people based off of labels and ignore individuality.

Why doesn't psychiatry adopt a trait-based instead of a disorder-based system of classification? Instead of putting people into "disorders" each individual trait could be measured by itself, with a rating given to the individual for each of them. Each trait would be as specific as possible meaning only one specific thing. If there are subsets within traits then those subsets are listed separately as there are own specific traits. This is technically still a label but the way it would be defined would function as a purely descriptive purpose.

Based on the individual's needs and wants(not the needs and wants of some idealized "normal") the psychiatrist could make recommendations about what to improve upon, and if the patient decides they need/want to improve upon something they could get pursue a variety of services and be provided with complete information on these services(note: this will take an overhaul of the APA and FDA to make sure accurate information is provided on every service including any dangers). Advice could take into consideration possible underlying causes both physical and psychological for the traits the person holds including considering whether some traits are best targeted together or separately and if any relationships might exist(i.e. one trait lead to another or helping one trait will help another trait). Advice would also consider the individual's environment(current home/career life) and potential environments(alternative home/career lifes). That would avoid people being told they have serious mental issues when all they really need is a new job or to pick a new neighborhood.

Whether the person can get it paid for by insurance or the government could depend on whether there is significant enough need.