Annals of Inquiry: Read the Label How psychiatric diagnoses create identities.

I liked reading this article from The New Yorker discussing the psychiatric categories outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and their influence on people and their personalities. The article explores the intricacies and implications of psychiatric diagnosis and classification. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of naming and categorization in human understanding and control, drawing parallels to biblical narratives and philosophical concepts. Additionally, it delves into the history and development of psychiatric classification, particularly focusing on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and its impact on societal perceptions, medical treatment, and individual identity. The article also addresses the challenges and controversies surrounding current diagnostic practices, including the limitations of categorical approaches and the emergence of alternative models like the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). Ultimately, it highlights the significant influence of diagnostic labels on individuals' self-perceptions and experiences, while also questioning the validity and consequences of psychiatric classification systems.