Receiving a diagnosis can be emotionally challenging, and leave a person with a lot of understandable questions: What does this mean? What do I do now? How do I relate to this?
On this episode Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson explore what a diagnosis is, how the diagnostic process works, the limitations of diagnosing someone, dealing with the emotions that come up, and how we can better think about and relate to receiving a diagnosis. Throughout the conversation they focus on how we can come to understand ourselves better, and be liberated by that understanding rather than burdened by it.
ADHD is used a number of times during this conversation as an example, so if you have an ADHD diagnosis this episode could be particularly interesting.
Watch the Episode: Prefer watching video? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00: Introduction
2:55: What is a diagnosis, and what is the process used to give a diagnosis?
6:50: What is the purpose of diagnosing someone?
8:50: Situating what defines pathology within our evolutionary and cultural context
11:40: Origins of mental health conditions, social environment, and privilege
14:40: How diagnosis done, and differentiating between different diagnoses
25:05: More discussion on environmental and cultural effects
31:10: Three subtypes of ADHD
33:00: The emotional complexity of receiving a diagnosis
42:30: What helps people in working through the emotions that come up?
46:35: Paying attention to your emotional experience as much as solving your problem.
49:35: Mental health awareness, resources, and support from others
51:00: Rick’s response when someone is given a diagnosis
58:50: Recap
Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.
Sponsors:
MDbio is a plant-based medicine company with natural products that address sleep, anxiety, pain, and immunity. Get your FREE 10-count sample pack by going to mdbiowellness.com and entering the promo code BEINGWELL at checkout!
Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!
Want to sleep better? Try the Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.
Ready to shake up your protein Ritual? Being Well listeners get 10% off during your first 3 months at ritual.com/WELL.
Connect with the show:
Subscribe on iTunes
Follow Forrest on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram
Follow Forrest on Instagram
Follow Rick on Facebook
Follow Forrest on Facebook
Visit Forrest's website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Use Your Diagnosis (Without It Using You) | Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
