The search for identity is wired into our humanness, with each individual seeking meaning, purpose and a sense of belonging in their lives. But the increasing number of people using a psychiatric diagnosis to define themselves is a dangerous consequence of identity politics and industrial manipulation. Genuinely struggling mental health patients can end up entangled in a complex system of market forces, invasive marketing tactics and social media influencers that promote the use of psychiatric labels to give individuals a sense of ‘belonging’, sweeping away their personal growth journey in favour of an easy fix to their problems.
This commodification of mental health labels has become so pervasive that it’s now taken on a life of its own, with many people seeking psychiatric diagnoses to fulfil their need for identity rather than to address any genuine mental health condition. Individuals ‘self-diagnose’ with conditions such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder in order to slot themselves into a sense of belonging, choosing to define themselves by these terms.
The emotion behind self-identifying labels appeals to some as they pursue an understanding of self-worth, neutrality and acceptance of their current position in life. However, what ultimately follows is a feeling of stagnation, stuck between a state of hope for the future and regret for the past. From a therapeutic perspective, this ‘stuckness’ is one of the hardest states to break out of, trapping individuals in a cycle of searching for a quick fix to their struggles, and relying on psychiatric prescriptions to give them a sense of purpose.
We should strive to view mental health issues in a holistic way, treating the person within the context of their life. Too often today, instead of looking at the individual’s whole life we over-simplify their experience and move to label them as something that is unnaturally neat and convenient, without ever unpacking the underlying causes of distress. This is an approach which is driven by an industry intent on selling us a fantasy, a drug, a savior, an ideology, a group to belong, but in reality all this approach does is reinforce inherent disempowerment. It’s not healthy to avoid one’s feelings, and only through exploring the lived experience of being in a given situation can we ever truly understand ourselves.
This isn’t to say that psychiatry has no role to play in helping people through crisis - it certainly can. However psychiatrists should help people to focus also on the lifestyle factors that influence mental health and distress, such as stress, diet, relationships, self-esteem and physical health. This is a far richer, more fruitful approach to understanding oneself, enabling self-awareness, personal growth and learning that transcends labeling and encourages meaningful action for change.
Whilst the use of psychiatric diagnoses can be helpful for some, for many people it can be an unhelpful ‘quick fix’ for a much bigger issue, perpetuating a harmful cycle of feeling ‘stuck’ and reinforcing the need for a ‘savior’ and an external prescription for a solution. You are no one's perfect drug, fantasy or savior and this is not the way to find your path forward - you will stay stuck if you don’t take ownership of your situation. Instead embrace the challenge that comes with taking the time to appreciate and understand yourself and your challenges: only when we identify and engage with the true source of our pain, can we ever truly begin to heal.
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