Disability, Depression, Diagnosis, and Harm: Reflections on Two Personal Scenarios

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 physicians to anticipate, minimize or avoid these negative ramifications. I also reflect on the matter of who "owns" a particular diagnosis, whose purposes it serves, and how.