Diagnosis and Feeling Like a Damaged Person by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Getting a diagnosis can have benefits. For parents, loved ones, and family members of an individual, it can help to provide answers to the questions they may have been wondering about for some time. The individual who is diagnosed could experience some relief because they now have a name for their experience and a path to treating it.
On the other hand, some individuals who are diagnosed experience feeling like a damaged person, or that they are in some way defective. This can be an especially heavy experience for individuals who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is stigmatized. The media and society still have a long way to go in portraying and talking about this diagnosis in an accurate manner. This inaccurate portrayal of the diagnosis combined with negative, hurtful words can influence how an individual will feel about themselves. Here are some possible thoughts a person might have after being diagnosed:
I’m a damaged/defective/broken person.
Who am I? Am I still…me?
Does this mean I’m “crazy”?
Who (as in a romantic partner) would want to be with me?
What can I amount to because of this?
Can I be successful?
Who do I tell? And how?
Will this go away?
As you can see, just being given a diagnosis opens the door to many thoughts and questions. Oftentimes, when individuals sign up for therapy, they know what they’re going to get: a safe space to talk about their concerns and ways to manage what they’re experiencing so that they can move forward in life. The surprise is having to sit with and process their diagnosis, if they’re given one. These thoughts and questions are an important piece in therapy and important to talk about. It’s an opportunity to dispel any misconceptions and have hope for the future.
Individuals living with bipolar disorder can be successful and I’ve dedicated my entire career as a therapist to instilling hope in others about this.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.
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