New research looks at how a mental health diagnosis can change the way people are perceived.

A new study from the University of Melbourne offers fresh insights into how a person’s mental health diagnosis can shape the perception of them. 

The research suggests that while diagnostic labels can boost empathy and support, they may also lead to assumptions about longer-lasting struggles and limited recovery potential.

The study involved two groups of participants who were asked to assess hypothetical individuals showing mild symptoms of conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). 

Some descriptions included a formal diagnosis, while others did not. 

A second experiment looked at similar perceptions involving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and binge-eating disorder (BED).

Findings reveal an intriguing pattern: when a diagnosis was provided, people tended to feel more empathy and were more likely to believe that professional treatment was necessary. 

However, these same labels also led to the belief that the individuals faced more persistent challenges and had a harder time overcoming them. 

“Applying diagnostic labels to relatively mild forms of distress has mixed blessings,” say the authors, Nick Haslam and colleagues. 

“Our research shows that it can increase empathy and support for the person, but also make their problems seem out of their control and harder to overcome.”

The study suggests that while diagnostic labels can help in understanding and supporting individuals, they should be handled with care to avoid reinforcing limiting stereotypes.

The full study is accessible here.

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