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Profile picture for hectorheath @hectorheath

It is important to remember that the names of psychiatric conditions are completely human made, they are not cut and dried like a type of bone fracture or a contagious disease or the result of a dietary insufficiency, they are based on observation and opinion. There may be empirical indicators, such as a higher or lower amount of certain chemicals that influence mood, but they are adjuncts to the main diagnosis. So often one cannot really say "he/she has type 2 bipolar" or whatever else, with certainty any more than one can categorise with certainty the genre of a song.
I say this with experience of being a carer to someone who was never diagnosed for certain for the whole 40 years that they undoubtedly had a mental health problem. He was sometimes categorised as having a form of schizophrenia, sometimes bi polar, or manic depression as it was called, sometimes variations.
That is not a helpful answer to the primary question I am afraid, but just an observation to bear in mind.

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Replies to "It is important to remember that the names of psychiatric conditions are completely human made, they..."

@hectorheath: This is definitely an observation many of those working with or being in close contact to someone who is treating for such conditions have made.

It is true that mental health diagnoses are not equally reliable. Some conditions are identified more consistently, while mood and anxiety disorders have overlapping symptoms and/or symptoms that change over time. Unlike many physical ailments, there are generally no clear biological tests, therefore providers need to rely heavily on judgment. While the DSM provides helpful guidance, the evolving nature of research and diagnostic criteria makes accurate diagnosis difficult. Often, presentation results in application of overlapping diagnoses drawing on various demonstated traits, or Cluster B personality characteristics. This highlighting the need for ongoing and careful assessment over time.

Focusing on symptom management, as opposed to labels, is a key part of providing appropriate individualized care.