I call mine Bipolar +
+schizophrenia
+Eating disorder
+trauma
+ anxiety disorder
+ self-harm
+.... whatever else is listed on my dx

2) In your opinion, does having the multiple diagnoses better help you understand or explain your set of issues and experience?

I stopped listening after the SzA diagnosis. Not because I disagreed with it but because it's so complicated. I like larger overall Dx's. I'm only on a med for my psychosis. I'm suppose to be on a med for anxiety, depression, ED but damn pills and they don't do much for me. I have many people in my life that have similar Dx's in my life and we're all so different.

3) Just curious – is having a label important to you? I’m curious your perspective. As far as treatment goes – I’m definitely a “whatever works, works.” – to hell with whatever label you wanna give it. However, as far as feeling a sense of being understood and belonging, I do like having a label to help guide that discussion, but that is just my personal opinion. Yes having a label is calming to me. I can stop myself mid-thought and be like no that's bipolar+ lying. As far as meds go I'm on the bare minimum for the MH team to be willing to work for me. It helps the dr's ask the right questions.