Almost before I could get the question out, Riley began to insist that I provide a diagnosis. They were adamant that they had bipolar and ADHD. Riley told me that they had seen a psychologist previously who refused to give a diagnosis based on the results of several assessments they had taken. Frustrated, Riley insisted that those tests were wrong. And this was why they wanted to see me. After a brief pause they added, ‘Oh and you should know that I’m pansexual.’
During the first few minutes of the meeting, I sat leaning forward, listening carefully, wondering how I might help. First and foremost, I assured Riley that I would do my best to support them. I told them that we’ll address all of the concerns they’ve brought up. But then I said, ‘Frankly, I’m less concerned with some of these labels and more concerned with helping you live a happy life.’
To my surprise, and with their gaze fixed to the floor, Riley reluctantly agreed. Over the course of several months Riley slowly began to change. Rather than a collection of self-proclaimed diagnoses, Riley began to see themselves more holistically. And rather than seeking a diagnosis to justify their struggles, Riley began to overcome their struggles head on.
What is a label?
What is a label?
Now, Riley was a fake name, but this was a real story¹. Labels — whether we are aware of it or not — influence how we see ourselves and how we see each other. I’m not saying labels are good or bad. I’m merely suggesting that labels are powerful². In this post, I’m going to share why.
A label is a word or a phrase that is used to describe the characteristics or qualities of people, activities, or things³. Labels are ubiquitous. We use them all the time to describe each other. Male, Female, Non-binary, Liberal, Conservative, Libertarian, Progressive, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Atheist, White, Black, Asian, Arab, Cisgender, Transgender, Straight. Gay, Queer — the list could go on.
In the context of mental health, there also are many labels — we call them diagnoses.
Why do we give labels?
Why do we give labels?
Labels help convey additional meaning or context. They are convenient to use. Labels also indicate our support for any number of things, whether they be sports teams or social causes.
In the context of mental health, someone might find relief in a diagnosis or label by putting a name to the struggle. A diagnosis may also heighten one’s self-esteem and resolve to adapt to the situation⁴. Additionally, with a diagnostic label also comes potential treatment options, interventions and management strategies⁵.
But labels do more than just facilitate communication, labels can also help people with similarities feel like they belong⁶. When someone else carries the same label, we feel connected to them by some shared experience. Labels give a name to the communities that connect us.
However, sometimes labels carry baggage that we don’t always want.
What's the big deal then?
What's the big deal then?
There’s a subtle danger in labels. I can think of at least two reasons why. First, labels can limit your perception of yourself. And second, labels can distort your perception of others.
Labels affect how you see yourself
Labels affect how you see yourself
Some labels carry more weight than others. While some labels seem harmless, they can become deeply entrenched over time. Adults and parents should understand that labeling a child can have a lasting impact on how that child thinks about themselves⁷. Not only can labels affect our self-esteem⁸, labels can slowly turn into identity. Imagine being told ‘you are stupid’ growing up. It’s tragic when we begin to believe the labels that others give us. In therapy, we might call these labels cognitive distortions⁹.
Labels are not a substitute for identity. Labels become problematic when our identity and self-worth are tied to qualities, experiences or titles that are fleeting or trivial. Sometimes we outgrow different labels. And sometimes salient pieces of our identity fade or change over time. If we derive our self-worth from a label, we set ourselves up for disappointment.
When we don’t know who we are, there could be a willingness to over-identify with diagnoses [or labels] to help clarify the experience of identity¹⁰. But labels are merely tools. We should not let them become more than that.
Labels are inherently limiting. When labels consume our identity, they can limit how we think of ourselves. Even labels in the context of mental health can be oppressive, because they can rob us of our individual responsibility and autonomy¹¹. We should be careful not to let labels become an excuse for nonperformance¹².
Labels are also limiting because as we project them, others begin to treat us accordingly; so we can get trapped in a self-fulfilling prophecy¹³. In other words, we get stuck in a box.
Labels subconsciously affect our estimate of other people
Labels subconsciously affect our estimate of other people
Labels can perpetuate stereotypes. If we know someone only by a label, it might be easy to think we know more about them than we actually do.
'When you use a label to describe someone, and that includes yourself, you can turn a multi-faceted, endlessly complicated character into a flat stereotype…Arguably, if we resist the terminology and opt for the long-form description of the problem instead, we might actually be able to understand each other better.'
-Lucy Foulkes¹⁴
Labels themselves can carry the stigma. When we judge someone without knowing who they are and why they do what they do, that is stigma¹⁵. We can unknowingly let bias or prejudice creep in when we apply labels thoughtlessly. Even more troubling is some labels (diagnoses) carry a sense of permanence¹⁶, which does little to inspire hope for those looking to change.
Labels can cause division and lead to harassment and discrimination¹⁷, ¹⁸. We live in a polarizing world. And a focus on labels fundamentally is a focus on our differences. While it’s important to distinguish and share our experiences, qualities and perspectives, an over-preoccupation with labels can create an us-versus-them mentality. Let’s not let labels divide us.
Final Thoughts
We have much more in common than we do different. We all need to feel connected and loved. Don’t let labels obscure you from yourself or others around you.
No matter the label — whether it’s bipolar, ADHD, or pansexual — we are more than our differences. We are more than our diagnoses.
- Label. (2024). In Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/label
- Sometimes, proper medical or mental health diagnoses can be appropriate for treatment. However, this was not one of those times. Much to their credit, Riley made great progress during our time together.
- In the study below, researchers found people would rather be described as having cheated as opposed to being labeled a cheater. Bryan, C. J., Adams, G. S., & Monin, B. (2013). When cheating would make you a cheater: Implicating the self prevents unethical behavior. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(4), 1001–1005. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030655
- When labels are liberating. (2022). https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/2022/march-2022/when-labels-are-liberating/
- Craddock, N., & Mynors-Wallis, L. (2014). Psychiatric diagnosis: impersonal, imperfect and important. British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(2), 93–95. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.133090
- Nelson, K., & Kelly, C. (2024). You Are Not Your Diagnosis. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-healing-community/202308/you-are-not-your-diagnosis
- Avoid labeling your child | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. (n.d.). Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3011
- Link, B. G., Cullen, F. T., Struening, E. L., Shrout, P. E., & Dohrenwend, B. P. (1989). A Modified Labeling Theory Approach to Mental Disorders: An Empirical Assessment. American Sociological Review, 54(3), 400. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095613
- Grinspoon, P., MD. (2022, May 4). How to recognize and tame your cognitive distortions. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-recognize-and-tame-your-cognitive-distortions-202205042738
- Schnell, T., Kehring, A., Moritz, S., & Morgenroth, O. (2020c). Patients responses to diagnoses of mental disorders: Development and validation of a reliable self‐report measure. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1854
- Breeding, J. (2014). Practicing Szasz. SAGE Open, 4(4), 215824401455171. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014551715
- Thomas Szasz on The Myth of Mental Illness has described counseling as follows: ‘The goal is to assume more responsibility and therefore gain more liberty and more control over one’s own life. The issues or questions for the patient become to what extent is he willing to recognize his evasions of responsibility, often expressed as “symptoms.” (Wyatt, 2000)
- Gibson, P. (2024). Rethinking Mental Health: Challenging the Dangers of Labels. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/escaping-our-mental-traps/202307/rethinking-mental-health-challenging-the-dangers-of-labels
- Foulkes, L. (2021, October 19). The big idea: Is it your personality, or a disorder? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/oct/18/the-big-idea-is-it-your-personality-or-a-disorder
- Shrand, J. A. (2024). We perpetuate stigma when we label people as disordered. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-i-m-approach/202102/we-perpetuate-stigma-when-we-label-people-disordered
- Kramer, B. (2019, May 21). Why It’s time to stop labeling ourselves and those around us. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/05/21/why-its-time-to-stop-labeling-ourselves-and-those-around-us/?sh=39dbaad3433d
- Hernandez, J. (2021, September 1). Hate crimes reach the highest level in more than a decade. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/08/31/1032932257/hate-crimes-reach-the-highest-level-in-more-than-a-decade
- Holder, A. (2021). The duality of labels – and how to use them for good [Video]. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/alexandria_holder_the_duality_of_labels_and_how_to_use_them_for_good/transcript