To Diagnose or Not: How Important is a Mental Health Diagnosis, Really?
You do not need a diagnosis to attend or benefit from therapy, nor do you need a referral from a medical practitioner; however, there are several reasons why a formal diagnosis may be a path you wish to pursue.
When you start therapy without a diagnosis, your psychotherapist or counsellor may begin your time together by asking you various questions about your presenting concerns and what you want to work on in your sessions. Based on your answers, they will choose a therapeutic approach to empower you to work through what you’ve presented. The approach may change as your time together passes and your therapist learns more about you and you have the opportunity to put some learning into practice.
However, there are benefits to participating in an assessment with a qualified practitioner, like a Psychologist, to receive clinical insight into your mental health and determine if you may have a mental health diagnosis as per the DSM-5 diagnostic tool. Having a diagnosis can open doors to supports that you may not have had access to before receiving an assessment. Giving a name to what you’re experiencing also helps you understand that you’re not alone, that what you’re dealing with is a medical condition, and that the way you feel and behave is not your fault.
Post-diagnosis, your first session with your psychotherapist may start the same way. You’ll share why you've come to see the counsellor; however, this time you will have a specific diagnosis to share. This will provide your practitioner additional insight into the unique challenges you may be facing, allowing them to tailor a treatment plan to best suit your needs based on your personal diagnosis. Having a diagnosis means that your psychotherapist now has a framework of tested methods to help you work through your concerns and manage your mental health beyond your time together.
A diagnosis also provides your medical practitioner practical insight should you choose a pharmacological treatment for your symptoms. If you go this route, know that this doesn’t eliminate the benefits of therapy, it only expands your treatment options and allows your psychologist or psychotherapist to work cooperatively with your medical practitioner to ensure that you are receiving a well-rounded, holistic treatment plan.