Abstract:In this article I draw on two scenarios from my personal life-the diagnosis of my newborn grandnephew with CHARGE syndrome and the diagnosis of my father with depression-to reflect on whether and when diagnosis may be harmful to patients (and their families). Despite the great differences between the two scenarios, I argue that in both cases the tendency of diagnosis to generalize, categorize, and stigmatize can lead to insidious and counterproductive effects. The perspective of disability studies can help phy… Show more
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