Learning about your diagnosis

It can be overwhelming to be diagnosed with a mental illness. Your diagnosis could be something you have lots of preconceived notions about or something you have never heard of before. Either way, it's normal to have a desire to learn more about your now-named condition.

The go-to source these days is the Internet. You can certainly get a lot of information this way, but not all of it is good information. Start with reputable sites like WebMD or The Mayo Clinic. These will give you a general idea of what you are dealing with. For more in-depth information, look up organizations and foundations associated with your condition. For example, for mood disorders, there’s the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and for trauma survivors there’s the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. For information on mental illness in general, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

  

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If you are looking for support online, try joining a forum either specific to your disorder or that caters to those with mental illness in general. Two examples are HealthyPlace and PsychCentral. Social networking sites like Tumblr are a bit more disorganized, but have communities that discuss recovery and give support. Be cautious when it comes to seeking support online, though. You are not talking with professionals. People aren’t always who they claim to be, either. If you have any serious concerns, talk to a professional. But if you are simply looking for people who can relate to what you’re struggling with and offer suggestions of what symptom management skills work for them, then the Internet is a great place to find that.

Books can offer more in-depth information than you will find online. Because books have to be accepted by publishers and go through an extensive editing process, they tend to be more reliable than a random website. Look for works written by experts in the field. If anything strikes you while reading – whether positive or negative – bring it up with your therapist. It might turn out to be either something that does not apply to you or a great starting point for a productive conversation. I will post a list of books relating to various conditions tomorrow.

One of the most important sources for information, however, is your therapist. She not only knows about your condition, but knows how it manifests in you specifically. This is invaluable. Ask as many questions as you need to about your diagnosis. You’re not bothering your therapist; in fact, he might appreciate that you are taking an interest in your mental health and are willing to engage in treatment. Therapists can also offer other resources like books or local support groups.

Being proactive in your treatment will help you get better faster. Learning about your diagnosis is one way to do this. It will give you a better grasp on what your are dealing with. Knowing that what you have is not unique and that there are others who are dealing with similar struggles can be very comforting. Just take it at your own pace.

What have you found helpful in learning about your diagnosis? Tell us in the comments.