Willem Velthoven

On Diagnosis and Labels

Should you want to be labeled? Why?

Every being has special qualities. Especially regarding the invisible traits, such as an extraordinary mind. It can be helpful to name them explicitly. It can be helpful to identify these traits, to name them explicitly. And when you seek professional help because you suffer from them, it is a prerequisite for funding.

An official diagnosis is established by a psychologist or psychiatrist and can provide access to all kinds of care and treatment.

It can be nice to have words for your idiosyncrasies. It can help you understand yourself better and find like minded peers.  

If you have problems, a diagnosis can help you find help.

But there are also risks. The names (labels) of diagnoses are simplifications, crude classifications that never describe an individual. You are merely classified into a group. The real diagnosis is a long descriptive document, not just a term like "ADHD," "Autism Spectrum Disorder" or "Hypersensitive."

And a diagnosis sometimes doesn't fit right, or is even just plain wrong. Because people make mistakes and perceptions are always changing.

Not everyone with an extraordinary mind needs a diagnosis. You can also be extraordinary  without suffering from it, without the need of a label.

But if you wonder if there is more to it, talk to your doctor and ask for a referral to a psychologist.

Many online tests also exist in the field of neurodivergence. The quality varies greatly and is never a substitute for a good counselor. Our favorite is Embrace Autism, an English-language site about more than just Autism.

In the Netherlands there are also a number of organizations where you can get information such as NVA, Impuls-en Woortblind and Psychosenet.