Love to Label

Dear Reader,

I’ve noticed that as doctors we love to label everything!  

We even have a whole book dedicated to labels; it is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is currently in its fourth revision—you might sometimes hear it referred to as the “DSM-4” or “DSM-4-TR.” That’s where the most current diagnostic criteria are listed for all psychiatric illnesses, and where the symptoms for things like mania or depressive episodes are listed and defined. 

  

Something I’ve experienced as a treatment provider for people with Bipolar Disorder is that it is sometimes hard to know when a certain behavior deserves a label, and when it’s just normal.

When you tell your doctor that you just bought a new computer, does she scramble to increase your mood stabilizer?  

Sometimes it’s hard for us doctors to know when those behaviors which might otherwise characterize a manic episode for you, are really just a symptom of your old computer breaking down! The same goes for depression—sometimes it can be challenging to decide when a person is having a normal reaction to a regular disappointment in life, and when they are dipping into a dangerous depression that requires medical attention.

What’s the solution? 

All we can really do is make sure to keep up excellent communication.  

• Always keep your doctor tuned in to where you’re at, mood-wise.  


• Be honest and open, and if you feel like you can’t do that, you might need to find a new doctor.   


• Be honest and open with your family and friends, too—they will often know you best and be the first to notice a change that could end up being dangerous.

Be well and keep talking!