Hey. Yeah, I didn't mean to be dismissive of your desire to know what label is most appropriate - I'm sorry if I came across that way. I guess I just think the issue is: 'what does getting the label correct mean to you?'

Because... Treatments aren't diagnosis specific for the most part. They are more symptom specific than diagnosis specific. Finding the label that most accurately describes the symptoms that you exhibit (if there is such a thing) really doesn't make a difference to treatment (unless it comes to third party funded).

How does a diagnosis help you understand your symptoms? A diagnosis is a label applied to a bundle of symptoms (a symptom cluster) but merely redescribing something (by attaching a label) doesn't provide an explanation.

'why does the medication put people to sleep?'
'because of its sleep inducing power'
Isn't really an explanation at all.

Similarly
'why does this person feel anxious'
'because they suffer from generalized anxiety disorder'
Isn't really an explanation at all because it is a mere redescription of the symptom.

> He was most interested in the fact that I saw myself in the description and proposed diagnostic criteria.

Yeah. The way you see yourself is really important. I guess I'm just wondering about why you have an urge to see yourself in terms of a diagnostic label that merely purports to redescribe symptoms by attaching a label?

Is it that you thought the explanation for the symptoms that they offered might be something that you can take on board with respect to explaining your symptoms? A way to... See yourself?

I guess I'd just say to be careful with pre-packaged views that might be helpful in some respects and harmful in others. One of the most wonderful and terrifying things about being a person is that while we are similar to others in all respects our particular combination of properties makes us unique.