Understanding and living with a diagnosis – explained simply

From the book – Chapter 33: How Mental Health Conditions Are Assessed and Diagnosed

Understanding and living with a diagnosis

Common reactions

People respond to a diagnosis in different ways:

• Relief: “At last I know what is wrong.”

• Sadness or fear: “Will I always be like this?”

• Denial: “They must be wrong.”

• Shame or stigma: “People will think less of me.”

• Hope: “Now I can get the right help.”

All of these are normal. Give yourself time.

Questions to ask your clinician

1. What is my diagnosis, and what does it mean in plain words?

2. What do you think caused it?

3. How certain are you, and could anything else be going on?

4. What are my treatment options, and what are the benefits and risks of each?

5. How long before I might notice improvement?

6. What can I do for myself?

7. How will we know if the treatment is working?

8. What should I do if things get worse?

9. How should I tell family, school, or my employer, if at all?

10. What is the long-term outlook?

Privacy and sharing

You decide who to tell. Many people find it helpful to share with a few trusted people. In some countries, laws protect you against discrimination at work or school and allow reasonable adjustments. Medical records are confidential and are shared only with your permission or where the law requires.

Read the full chapter – Chapter 33: How Mental Health Conditions Are Assessed and Diagnosed

Stories from real life

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More questions

• Common reactions – understanding and living with a diagnosis
• Questions to ask your clinician – understanding and living with a diagnosis
• Privacy and sharing – understanding and living with a diagnosis
• Understanding labels: helpful and harmful – mental health assessment and diagnosis
• What is the difference between screening and diagnosis?
• Assessment of children and young people – explained simply
• Understanding digital tools and apps – mental health assessment and diagnosis
• What is true: A diagnosis is best described as…?
• What is true: A mental-health assessment usually includes…?
• Why do doctors sometimes order physical tests during an assessment?
• Psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor – what is the difference?
• Early warning signs of mental distress