Diagnosing mental illness is controversial within the mental health services and in the wider community. Many people with a diagnosis disagree with it or think other things could explain their symptoms. Others find a diagnosis useful, as it puts a medical name to the experience and can help people find others with the same diagnosis who understand.
People who receive a diagnosis sometimes worry about other people's reactions. This is understandable as mental illness is often misrepresented and misunderstood. 'Stigma' is when someone is treated differently to others in a negative way. Although steps are being taken to change social attitudes, people still experience stigma related to mental illness.
https://www.seemescotland.org/seeus/campaigns/its-okay/
It is important to remember that when someone is mentally unwell their behaviour is not necessarily a reflection of their personality (who they are as a person). One of the best ways to overcome stigma is to educate your family and friends about what you are going through.
One key reason it can be important to see a mental health professional can be that they are able to work out what will be helpful for someone based on their experiences. This might include talking therapy, medication or vocational support.
Finding relevant information can also be helpful, whether or not someone agrees with a diagnosis they are given. There are many useful resources out there, including a booklet called ‘Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia’ (see external resources below). Understanding more can help someone make the best decisions about what kind of treatment or support might be right for them.
It can also help to learn more about other people who have had similar experiences. The videos below are examples of people talking about their own experiences of psychosis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBduR0BU1vg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syjEN3peCJw
https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Page%20-%20Files/Understanding%20Psychosis%20and%20Schizophrenia.pdf