Homework Post: The Risks and Benefits of Diagnosis
Understanding the definitions and conceptualizations of various psychopathologies is imperative when practicing as a social worker. As part of a multidisciplinary team, a social worker needs to be able to recognize patterns of illness and discuss a client's diagnosis. Social workers in clinical settings also need to understand how a diagnosis should be developed and applied in an ethical, professional, and client-centered manner.
While cultures vary widely in their approach to mental health and to different mental disorders, there are many common barriers to help-seeking and to accurate diagnosis. Chief among those barriers, across nations and cultures, is the stigma associated with receiving a diagnostic label. Two different types of stigma are public stigma (consisting of stereotypes; allegiance to mistaken beliefs; and reactive, discriminating behaviors) and self-stigma (the internalized beliefs that result from repeated stigmatizing thoughts).
You consider the impact of both types of stigma and the risks and benefits of using any diagnostic label.
Learning Objectives
a. Analyze use of diagnostic labels in professional and lay environments
b. Analyze influence of stigma on experience with and treatment of mental illness
Discussion: Introduction Video
Even without professional experience, you may have heard diagnostic labels used-properly or improperly-and experienced the power that they have. People often use diagnostic words inappropriately in casual conversation or in public settings without considering the impact. In these instances, diagnostic labels such as depression can represent anything from normal sadness to severe debilitation. Others, such as sociopathic, have criminal associations.
In the digital age, untrained individuals can easily find diagnostic definitions and research symptom combinations for themselves and others. Many go further and actually diagnose their own or others' conditions without understanding the difference between that comparison and a professional process. In one of this week's readings, Pillay (2010) powerfully discusses the dangers of "checklist self-diagnosis" and the growing confusion over what is and is not a diagnosis.
In this Discussion, you consider your own perceptions about diagnosis.
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To prepare: Read the Pillay (2010) blog post and the Paris (2015) chapter.
For this graded Discussion, record a 3- to 5-minute video in which you share your background and your progress in social work training. Also relate your professional or personal experience with DSM-5 diagnosis. In your video, include responses to the following:
a) Introduce yourself and say where you live.
b) Describe your progress in your social work training.
c) Describe what exposure you have had to the DSM-5 or to mental health diagnosis.
d) Explain the advantages of receiving an accurate diagnosis.
e) Describe the problems that arise when individuals casually self-diagnose or diagnose those around them.
Include a transcript and/or edit closed captioning on your video to ensure your presentation is accessible to colleagues of differing abilities.
Respond to at least two colleagues in the following ways:
o Compare your response with your colleague's. Identify any commonalities or differences or any insights you gained from your peer's response.
Homework: Diagnosis: The Burden of Stigma in Help Seeking
The threat of public stigma, as well as self-stigma, can prevent individuals from receiving the mental health treatment they need. In this Homework, you analyze the influence of stigma on experiences with and treatment of mental illness.
To prepare: Watch the TED Talk by Sangu Delle and then review the readings. Focus on Delle's examples illustrating Corrigan's model about the stages of stigma and the hierarchy of disclosure. Consider Delle's experience against that model.
Submit a 3 pages paper that addresses the following:
A. Briefly explain Corrigan's model of the stages of stigma and his recommendations and hierarchy about recovery.
B. Explain whether Delle's experience follows that model. Use specific examples to argue your perspective. If you agree, identify which stage of recovery Delle is in.
C. Analyze Delle's reports about his own experiences with both types of stigma. Provide specific examples, and in your analysis consider the following questions:
a. Does one type of stigma predominate in his talk?
b. Which of Delle's personal values or beliefs were challenged by his internalizations about his own illness and help-seeking?
c. What strengths does he exhibit?
d. What was the primary benefit of his diagnosis?
e. Do you think his experience would be different if his culture was different? Explain why or why not?
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.