Do I Need a Diagnosis to Go to Therapy?
Since its inception, psychotherapy has often been thought of as only intended for people with a persistent and diagnosable mental health condition. While the stigma around therapy is decreasing and access to treatment is becoming more widely available, many people still question whether they need or could benefit from therapy if they haven’t been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
The problem with basing the need for therapy on the presence of a diagnosable disorder is that the mental health diagnostic system can be quite limiting.
At the current time, diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (or DSM) are categorical, meaning a person either meets the criteria or they don’t. However, many mental health struggles actually exist on a continuum. For example, someone might experience classic symptoms of anxiety (e.g., feeling on edge, excessive worry, difficulty sleeping, physical tenseness) however not meet the diagnostic requirement for Generalized Anxiety Disorder of worry occurring “more often than not,” or “for longer than 6 months.”
Furthermore, while the diagnoses in the DSM can be a very helpful way of compiling and classifying symptom presentations, people are so unique and diverse that their symptoms may present in a multitude of ways. While the DSM is thorough, it is not big enough to capture all the unique ways in which human symptoms and struggles manifest. Take anxiety again; Someone’s anxiety might show up as perfectionism and people pleasing, rather than specific worries or fears. While this person could absolutely benefit from therapy, they may not be given a diagnosis of anxiety by their doctor, as their symptoms don’t fall neatly into any of the available categories.
Lastly, therapy can often be an effective way to improve one’s life, rather than simply reducing distressing symptoms. For example, you might be in a stable, supportive relationship with your spouse, but be wanting to experience even more closeness and intimacy. You might feel a strong bond with your child, but notice communication breakdowns that lead to arguments and tension. Alternatively, maybe you feel fulfilled at home, but are wanting to increase your confidence at work. Others seek out therapy to know themselves better in order to feel more enjoyment and presence in their day to day lives or stop inter-generational patterns from being passed on (e.g., being hard on yourself and hard on your kids, procrastination, or an over emphasis on physical appearance and dieting).
Therapy is a wonderful place for self-exploration, learning new skills, or shifting patterns that aren’t serving you. While being given a mental health diagnosis can often be empowering (it can help people feel less alone with what they are experiencing, as well as set a course for treatment), it is not necessary for therapy.
Many people who have never been given a diagnosis and don’t technically meet any criteria need and benefit from therapy immensely.
Interested in learning more about whether therapy could be beneficial for you? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss what the process might look like and how it could help you improve your life and meet your goals.