Whose Disorder Is It Anyway? - The Merits and Pitfalls of Having a Mental Health Diagnosis

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Welcome to the Relationship Maze podcast, where we explore the complexities of the human experience.

In today's episode we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of having a mental health diagnosis. In daily language many people refer to themselves or others as having a personality disorder - often very serious presentations are bandied about quite flippantly. Presentations can also be weaponised by one partner over the other, i.e. 'The only problem here is your Borderline Personality Disorder'. 

Personality Disorders as described in the DSM-5 are wide ranging and include Generalised Anxiety Disorder or Depression, for example. The DSM-5 is the standard classification manual for all mental health disorders for adults and children in the US. The other manual that health care professionals refer to, in particular in Europe, is the ICD-10.

It can be very helpful to finally find out that the challenges that you face fall within cluster of presentations that are recognised as creating difficulties in your life; by the same token a diagnosis can also mean that you feel stuck  - and often helpless - in a particular identity.

We discuss -

• who can diagnose a personality disorder or schizophrenia -
• what an assessment might look like -
• the challenges with diagnosing a mental health condition -
• the advantages of getting a diagnosis -
• the disadvantages of getting a diagnosis -
• the DSM V vs other models such as The Power Threat Meaning Framework -

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Learn everything you always wanted to know about building and maintaining  loving relationships in our comprehensive course The Relationship Maze, starting with understanding yourself in relationships to understanding your partner and understanding what makes for a successful relationship. We look at common causes of relationship problems and offer solutions. Learn how to address relationship problems and questions without breaking up.

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Struggling with a lot of conflict and arguments in your relationship? Learn about communicating effectively and addressing common relationship problems in our Stop Arguing, Start Loving mini course.

Learn everything you always wanted to know about building and maintaining loving relationships in our comprehensive course The Relationship Maze, starting with understanding yourself in relationships to understanding your partner and understanding what makes for a successful relationship. We look at common causes of relationship problems and offer solutions. Learn how to address relationship problems and questions without breaking up.