In my therapy we deal with things as they come up. At this point it is more exploratory than really treating symptoms. Occasionally, like right now, I have a hard time with a number of stressors so I think of it in terms of my diagnosis with PTSD, that I am vulnerable to stress and have a strong stress response. That just helps me take better care of myself and realize that I need to take steps so I don't get run down or triggered. I believe that people are not their diagnoses and that most can go into remission.

Earlier on the diagnosis seemed more important because it helped me understand various things that didn't seem to go together. Now I'm more interested in the aspects of how the brain works so it's more abstract and not so personal. I think for some people a diagnosis can help them understand why they do or feel the way they do and so provide some relief or insight. But for others it is a label that they don't want to be identified by or with. It really depends on a lot of things.