I hobbled into the program director's office, crutches and all, and was invited to sit in the chair positioned beside her organized desk. All I needed was a signature to prove I'm still a student, and will be for at least two more years, and I can keep those lovely school loans deferred!She welcomed me into SMU's Counseling program and asked about my classes as she scribbled her name on the appropriate line. Her eyes widened as the word Psychopathology rolled off my tongue. "Really? That's a tough first course..." It's not been an uncommon response from the faculty these last couple of weeks. I knew Psychopathology would be tough, but what can I say, I'm mesmerized with this stuff!
A common theme, or should I say a common thorn, within all Counseling programs today is learning how to deal with Managed Care, especially if you want to get paid. Honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead except that I would rather not deal with insurance at all. Nevertheless, I have got to learn the system, which means I have to learn how to diagnose, and diagnosing is exactly what I'm learning in Psychopathology.
First and foremost, let me say that most counselors don't want to and try not to officially "label" anyone, but there are times when managed care forces the issue. Regardless of what you or I think about counseling, or giving, receiveing, or accepting a diagnoses when it comes to mental health, I do think we can all agree that there is power in that type of label. That type of label doesn't go away. It sticks. You can try to hide it but it will stay on your record for the rest of your life. You may be "in remission" or just have a "prior history," but that label will be there. However, you don't have to live up to it, or even own it. You are not defined by it.
There is power in a label.
That got me thinking. Here's some labels I’ll be proud to own up to.
I have Schizophrenia – I hear voices… His voice. He talks to my heart.
I have Dependant Personality Disorder – I’m dependent on Him. I can’t do anything without Him.
I have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) – I am obsessed with Jesus!
I have an eating disorder - fasting is essential!
I have Paranoid Personality Disorder - I feel like I am continually being watched... by angels.
I have Narcissistic and Histrionic Personality Disorder - I need attention! His attention!
I'm saved. I'm redeemed. I'm forgiven. I’m loved.
I'm a child of the King and I belong to Him.
There is power in a label.
Label me His.
15 comments:
I love this post, Rochelle!!! I'm proud to wear His Label, also! ((HUGS))
P.S. Thanks for the encouragement.
Rochelle, what a powerful post!!!!
Wonderful post - Label me His too!
Theresa - you are welcome. :)
Tracie - thank you.
Sis Hopper - It's a wonderful label to wear!! NAME brand!! :)
That's a label we can all be thankful for!
Now those are the kind of labels I want to have. Great post!
nicely put, can you imagine all of the amazing things you are going to be able to do with others if you keep thinking like that? I'm excited for you!
Those are certainly labels I don't mind having! :)
Alana - I know I am thankful, for sure!
Carol - thank you!!!
Shell - I hope so... thanks for the encouragement!
K - wonderful labels, huh? :)
Rochelle, I think you ought to be a writer. :) This is some pretty awesome stuff here.
I have to admit, I chuckled when I read a lot of your labels. :) Very cute! Before I knew where you were going with this post, I was thinking, yes, labels can help... because once you put a label on it, however non-pc it might be, that label helps put the person on the road to recovery--because you then know (or at least need an idea) of what kind of treatment they need. Am I way off here?
Moi - I wish I had the patience and talent to be a real writer (compared to a blogger)! But thanks!!!
Susan - I agree with you. I think labels, if labeled correctly, can do a lot of good. I don't know if it has to be written in a "counselor's or dr's note" in every situation (making it a permanent fixture) but labeling it can powerful. However, in my opinion, society can also place labels on people that do not need to be there. It's too easy to judge people by the color of their skin, where they live, how they dress, etc.. Labels can be good and bad. But, of course, that's just my 2 cents!! And who am I? lol!!
Love your labels! Very creative. :o)
Mental illness is a neurological No-Fault Brain Disease. The symptoms usually present themselves between the ages of 16 and 25. When we speak of mental illness we usually refer to schizophrenia, manic depression or bi- polar disorder, severe depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic anxiety attacks. http://www.xanax-effects.com/
dr.m.scott - thank you for your comment. Not sure if you read my whole post here... but, for the most part, I agree with your comment. Age of onset varies by disease, and depending on who you are suggesting who "we" are I might have to disagree. "Panic anxiety attacks" is not a disorder and cannot be coded as such. Panic attacks, as I'm sure you know, occurs with many other psychological disorders and can be used as a specifier. Also, the term "manic depressive" is no longer used... the term bi-polar is used to better indicate the two extremes of the disease. They are not two seperate disorders. But perhaps that is what you meant. I'm not a huge fan of Xanax unless used in very small doses because it is so highly addictive. Thanks for the link, though. And just curious, but would you not consider severe cases of PTSD a mental disorder. Or what about eating disorders? Thanks again, for your comment!!
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