M7-DQPR

Remember to respond to two peers while being respectful of and sensitive to their viewpoints. Consider advancing the discussion in the following ways:

· Post an article, video, or visual to reinforce a peer’s idea or challenge them to see their point from a different perspective.

· Engage in conversation with your peers around the pros and cons of having a labeled diagnosis. Consider asking a question or sharing your personal experience.

Peer 1-CS

· The article notes that labels often define who we are and help us to determine what we are able to do. For argument’s sake, if the scientific community shifted from labels such as ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD to the definition of an individual’s response to the environment, how do you believe society would adapt to the change?

I believe society would adapt in a positive change. Change is stressful, people with ADHD, anxiety or PTSD don't really cope well with that statement. When something goes wrong whatever needs to be done lababled ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD their on it. Secondly, if something in the person life that was labeled either of the three ways doesn’t go the way its planned it would be fine. I am sure we have had a lot of practice with change and all of the stress that comes with it thats basically the person with ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD life. All of the changes might be because of how those struggle with ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD experience stress.Stress according like stressful events are more upsetting to those with ADHD, and tend to have a lower tolerance of stress. Which an be avoided by distracting ourselves or using positive reappraisal or aggressively confront it and deal with it quickly which does not give the time to process what’s happening and figure out options. Per Sullivan (2015), “ people accept the meaning of the labels attached to them,” and it does not matter weather it is true or not, just what people believe is true. THus, the phrase that our perception influences how we look at reality. If we define a situation as real, so it becomes, as do the consequences (Sullivan. 2015).

· In some cases, a diagnosis can provide individuals with a sense of relief. It gives them the opportunity to address personal issues with a clear treatment plan.

· What are the benefits of having labels for mental health disorders?

The influence/benefit of having a label for mental health care practitioners. Medical health disorders are helpful to know and understand what kind of patterns and conditions you’re experiencing but that’s not a reason to put unnecessary boundaries on that person. Maybe its time to start pushing the boundaries that have been set around mental health disorders. By pushing the boundaries will eventually lead to finding out what the person’s really capable of. The takeaway would be: believe you can recover, find a therapist who believes you can recover, and lastly push your boundaries and limitations. By accepting the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with life while pursuing the thing the individual values in life. 

· What are some detriments of having labels for mental health disorders?

By putting labels can severely limit life and potential, being told they you should take school slowly, don't get involved in work that’s too demanding. Some labels are not helpful for the individual that impact their life. I don’t think mental health disorders discriminate against anyone of any race, gender or social background, basically your mental health illness is not your identify.

 

· How does the concept outlined in this article apply to any of the following programmatic themes? You may want to review the Programmatic Themes document.

Self care is different for each person, self care can be a battery that needs to be recharged. Self care is a vital piece of the ongoing process of being a human. Self-care is an attitude that says, I am responsible for myself.” You are your responsibility, and you will honor that responsibility as you would if anything else was precious to that individual. By recognizing that it is indeed okay to take care of yourself. Self-care helps prevent burnout, reduces the negative psychological and physical effects of stress, and help you refocus on what is true and important. 

References:

 

Sullivan,T. J.(2015). Introduction to Social Problems (subscription). [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134054612/

Peer 2- CP

 Personally, I do not think society would adapt in a positive way.  If the adjustment is based on the responses of individuals with mental health disabilities to their current environment, then would others who are within that same environment continue to judge them based on their inability to handle the situation they are in? People compare themselves to others all the time even when they don’t intend to, so facing someone who response differently can cause others to be cruel when they don’t have a solid explanation of what they are seeing. I think there would need to be some type of education to explain the variety of mental responses in place to prevent unnecessary comparison of the outward appearance of others.  The idea of us, as a society, being able to overcome adversity would be wonderful, but I do not think that it is achievable just yet.  Yet being an important word because I do think the next generation has a better chance of achieving this idea.

     Being diagnosed with a mental disorder has its pros and cons.  “Labels are something we internalize to define who we are and what we are capable of” (Escalante, 2020).  Having a label to explain what is going on and why can be beneficial because it can give you an opportunity to learn new tools that will improve your well-being.  Some examples include learning what triggers manic episodes or panic attacks, learning to have eye contact with those speaking to you when diagnosed with autism, setting healthy boundaries to prevent future upsets, etc.  Many of these tools are not something that one would think of on a regular basis without some type of therapy or diagnosis.

     Though there are many advantages to having a label for one’s mental health disorder, there are also some disadvantages. For example, when speaking of children and adolescents diagnosed with autism, there is an increased risk factor for low self-esteem to be a result of their comparing their own abilities with peers around them. “As children grow older, teachers and peers get a more prominent role in children’s lives and their feedback becomes more important for self-evaluation. These opinions of, comparisons with, and feedback of others can impact their self-esteem” (van der Cruijsen, & Boyer, 2021). Being aware of one’s diagnosis can be a constant reminder of why the individual is different from others around them and the additional struggle they face due to their disorder.

     The concepts outlined within the article apply to the programmatic theme of self-care.  Reminding yourself that you are not the disorder, but that you have a disorder can be a crucial part of accepting who you are as a person.  Self-reflecting on what this means and how your life is impacted can give you an opportunity to progress.  Asking for help, seeking answers, being aware of your well-being are different ways you can care for yourself and make the appropriate adjustments needed for a healthy lifestyle.

References:

Escalante, A. (2020, August 10). Researchers Doubt That Certain Mental Disorders Are

     Disorders At All. Forbes.

     https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisonescalante/2020/08/11/researchers-doubt-that-

     certain-mental-disorders-are-disorders-at-all/?

     fbclid=IwAR39KWFPcVMCMeeMvTKiTrODoxmMOWmFfoAxr3TmC9_tOei6PD

     S5xchJEvY&sh=4a12665915a6

van der Cruijsen, R., & Boyer, B. E. (2021). Explicit and Implicit Self-Esteem in Youth

     with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research

     and Practice, 25(2), 349–360.