The Monster Within & The Fool That Follows— ART WALLS @ Coney Island

A LABEL FREE UTOPIA

Iman Khan
Iman Khan
Jul 30, 2017 · 4 min read

I often wonder to myself what society would be like without the plethora of “Labels.” It seems we have become quite reliant on them to communicate about ourselves and others. Sometimes we may present them like a code of arms and other times, we may hide them in shame, like a skeleton in the closet. Have we become more dependent on them in the last couple decades or have we always referred to generalizations to define who we are and what our experiences have been. Neuroscience suggests that our brains are wired to categorize automatically to better understand and relate to our environment. But have we gone too far? Frankly, it’s challenging for me to keep up at times, millennials are now xennials; sexual identity terms such as pansexual and aromantic. What If we did away with all the labels? Would we still function effectively without a preemptive summarization of people, places or things?

Please pardon my reflections; it is not my intention to disrespect anyone or to make light of labels. It is merely my intention to provoke conversation and perhaps propose a different way of understanding that goes beyond the label and into the depths of who people are.

As a practicing psychotherapist and consultant, I find myself consistently wanting to do away with the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual). This is the clinician’s handbook of labels. It seems to grow larger and larger with each new edition. And with every new diagnosis added, a corresponding pharmaceutical drug is introduced to the market to address the label. It seems like a very slippery slope to be standing on and frankly, it is not a slope I like to stand upon. Yes, I acknowledge the usefulness of diagnosing, in identifying a set of behaviors that can point to an explanation for maladaptive responses. The label assists clinicians in applying the appropriate treatment methods, to support a client in managing their behaviors more effectively. For example, it has been found that identifying a spectrum disorder or learning disability early in one’s life, leads to more successful outcomes of managing differences. But even so, as many special needs parents may attest to, the early label doesn’t necessarily guarantee their child will receive consistent and appropriate services that allow them to thrive to their potential. Because the fact is, research-based interventions don’t address the distinctive needs of a person, nor do they assure the competence of the clinician or agencies providing the service. Labeling provides no guarantees.

In my experience, it seems once a person is given label, it is often difficult for them to look beyond it. Sometimes it soothes them to know there is a “reason” for their unhappiness. The label offers them an answer and an association to a group, whereas prior to the label, they may have felt confused and isolated. Other times, it can be a hindrance or stumbling block that keeps them from believing they will be anything other than their label. Either way it is perceived, it is common for people to become so enmeshed with their label that it begins to define them and not always with positive outcomes. I have seen clients’ growth halted because of their attachment to what they perceive are their limitations due to the label. If I had ten dollars (inflation!) for every time someone said, “This is just the way I am damnit!” I would be a very wealthy woman.

There seem to be an interpretation of finality it; everything begins and ends with the label. And the same goes for when we learn of someone else’s label, no matter what the setting may be, a label can follow a person like a set of credentials, but not the ones that get them in the door. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; the door is often slammed in their face!

In the field of psychology, I feel this is where the fail begins. It seems to me we are selling people short with providing a psychological label. We are not looking beyond their set of symptoms, qualities or characteristics and paying attention to the whole person. The person beyond the generalization; the stereotype… And that can be a very lonely place for people to be.

Most of us have heard of the many publicized suicides and overdose stories, most of them involving a label. People are still suffering, whether they have a label or not. Isn’t it time we look further at how to treat PEOPLE, not just their diagnosis. Focus on assisting them in understanding the unique way their brains process information and empower them to direct their uniqueness in a way that works for them, not against them.

All of us deserve to be seen in our wholeness, not just the pieces that are disordered. Let’s stop the madness, before the madness stops another life from living outside the shadow of a label.

A non-bullet point writer, seeking to learn, honored to teach and cultivate awareness, one moment at a time. @www.imanlkhan.com

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