Summary: The Dangers Of Physiological Diagnosis
The Dangers of Physiological Diagnosis
Author: Ljupco Duzlevski
Student Number: 500457454
In the new field of psychiatry there are conflicting beliefs when it comes to diagnosis of a mental illness. In its infancy, in the nineteen-sixties, diagnosis was made difficult based on the different criteria used by each professional. (Spiegel, 2005) This changed with the invention of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which gave all doctors a checklist of criteria to follow when determining diagnoses. Doctors are no longer faced with uncertainty and diagnosis are much more consistent across the board. (Spiegel, 2005) In present day the issue that now surrounds doctors is whether a diagnosis …show more content…
(Cheeta, Schifano, Oyefeso,
Webb & Ghodse, 2003) It has been shown that cognitive therapy is more effective in treating depression than medication however a depressed individual is less likely to seek this route.
(Blackburn, Bishop, Glen, Whalley & Christie, 1981) To add insult to injury abrupt stoppage of anti-depressant pills can cause severe remission, sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal problems.
(Shelton, 2001) This shows that anti-depressant pills alone are not the optimal cure. Cognitive- behavioural therapy is the best initial treatment option that should be considered by a patient as it offers the least negative effects. It has been shown to offer the greatest benefit. (Blackburn,
Bishop, Glen, Whalley & Christie, 1981) However as stated before this type of treatment is not very likely to be sought out by an individual. Due to all of the possible negative outcomes diagnosis can lower a person 's …show more content…
When examining the negative effects of some treatments such as addiction to anti-depressants one has to ask themselves if diagnosis is beneficial. On top of that, labelling can cause a person to worsen in their condition because it acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. A person is very likely to try and conform to the label they are given which can worsen their condition. A person 's well-being is on the line when diagnoses are made. References
Blackburn, I.M., Bishop, S., Glen, A.I., Whalley, L.J., Christie, J.E. (1981). The efficacy of cognitive therapy in depression: a treatment trial using cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy, each alone and in combination. Brit. J. Psychol. 139(3): 181-189
Cheeta, S., Schifano, F., Oyefeso, A., Webb, L., Ghodse, A.H. (2003). Antidepressants-related deaths and antidepressant prescriptions in England and Wales, 1998-2000. Brit. .J Psychol.
184(1): 41-47
Shelton, R.C. (2001). Steps Following Attainment of Remission: Discontinuation of
Antidepressant Therapy. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 3(4): 168-174
Spiegel, A. (2005, January 3). The Dictionary of Disorder. Retrieved from
Author: Ljupco Duzlevski
Student Number: 500457454
In the new field of psychiatry there are conflicting beliefs when it comes to diagnosis of a mental illness. In its infancy, in the nineteen-sixties, diagnosis was made difficult based on the different criteria used by each professional. (Spiegel, 2005) This changed with the invention of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which gave all doctors a checklist of criteria to follow when determining diagnoses. Doctors are no longer faced with uncertainty and diagnosis are much more consistent across the board. (Spiegel, 2005) In present day the issue that now surrounds doctors is whether a diagnosis …show more content…
(Cheeta, Schifano, Oyefeso,
Webb & Ghodse, 2003) It has been shown that cognitive therapy is more effective in treating depression than medication however a depressed individual is less likely to seek this route.
(Blackburn, Bishop, Glen, Whalley & Christie, 1981) To add insult to injury abrupt stoppage of anti-depressant pills can cause severe remission, sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal problems.
(Shelton, 2001) This shows that anti-depressant pills alone are not the optimal cure. Cognitive- behavioural therapy is the best initial treatment option that should be considered by a patient as it offers the least negative effects. It has been shown to offer the greatest benefit. (Blackburn,
Bishop, Glen, Whalley & Christie, 1981) However as stated before this type of treatment is not very likely to be sought out by an individual. Due to all of the possible negative outcomes diagnosis can lower a person 's …show more content…
When examining the negative effects of some treatments such as addiction to anti-depressants one has to ask themselves if diagnosis is beneficial. On top of that, labelling can cause a person to worsen in their condition because it acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. A person is very likely to try and conform to the label they are given which can worsen their condition. A person 's well-being is on the line when diagnoses are made. References
Blackburn, I.M., Bishop, S., Glen, A.I., Whalley, L.J., Christie, J.E. (1981). The efficacy of cognitive therapy in depression: a treatment trial using cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy, each alone and in combination. Brit. J. Psychol. 139(3): 181-189
Cheeta, S., Schifano, F., Oyefeso, A., Webb, L., Ghodse, A.H. (2003). Antidepressants-related deaths and antidepressant prescriptions in England and Wales, 1998-2000. Brit. .J Psychol.
184(1): 41-47
Shelton, R.C. (2001). Steps Following Attainment of Remission: Discontinuation of
Antidepressant Therapy. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 3(4): 168-174
Spiegel, A. (2005, January 3). The Dictionary of Disorder. Retrieved from