Diagnosing mental illness

With mental illness, the individual loses touch with reality as the conditions tend to alter

their patterns of thoughts, feelings, and/or behavior or a combination of both that may be

an indication of a problem with mental function. Because of their disturbed thoughts,

feelings, and behavior, people with mental illness face difficulties socializing, working,

or even having a meaningful life.

The diagnoses of mental illness is one of the most challenging one and most of the times

psychiatrists or mental health workers have to use carefully structured questionnaires or

tools that seek to deeply understand the patient’s mental status. To diagnose mental

illness, a multiple step process is employed and often involves many healthcare workers

starting with either a nurse or a primary healthcare provider to psychiatrists [ CITATION

Mor21 \l 1033 ].

The diagnosis may start with a general history, followed by a mental status assessment

(MSA), followed by physical examination and them laboratory evaluations or medical

imaging or other forms of investigations. In nutshell, there is no definite test that is

helpful in diagnosing mental illness. Clinical interviews, critical and purposeful

observations of behavior, and sometimes certain tasks and tests in the case of children

[ CITATION Hel20 \l 1033 ].

It is important to me to have a form of diagnosis to help in the management and treatment

of people with mental illnesses and as form of communication among the healthcare

workers. For example, a patient may present with sadness and other symptoms of

depression, but could be having additional symptoms that could, for example is

schizophrenia since there can be an overlap of symptoms.

Pros of mental health diagnosis

First, having a diagnosis for a mental heath problem gives access to specialized services

provided by specially trained medical workers (psychiatrists). It is important to realize

that many other people have had similar diagnosis the patient is suffering from, so giving

a diagnosis gives some kind of feelings that others have also had similar problems. With

diagnosis, specific interventions can be provided and response to treatment or

management monitored [ CITATION Hel20 \l 1033 ].

The cons to mental health diagnosis

Because there is no specific test to detect and conclude specific diagnosis for a mental

illness, another provider, leading to confusion and multiple diagnoses, may dispute a

diagnosis may be labeled for a mental problem. The next is the issue of stigma associated

with being diagnosed with a mental illness. Mental health diagnosis is an impression of

the Western world attempting to explain what many cultures have cultures have already

labeled. This makes the diagnosis not realistic to certain communities or culture

[ CITATION Hel20 \l 1033 ].

To conclude, I think that regardless of the cons of naming a mental illness, attempts

should make to objectively diagnose the disorder.

Reference:

Helfman, J. (2020). Dr.Dina. Retrieved April 2021, from The pros and Cons of Mental

Health Diagnosis: https://drdina.ca/the-pros-and-cons-of-mental-health-

diagnosis/
Morin, A. (2021, February 17). Very Well Mind . (S. Gans, Editor) Retrieved April 15,

2021, from Mental Illness Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis:

https://verywellmind.com/definition-of-mental-illness-4587855