Exploring How Labelling Influences My Mental Health Journey Beyond Simple Ratings
- Mindedness
- Jul 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Understanding how labelling affects mental health is crucial for effective treatment and support for those facing mental health challenges. Reflecting on my journey, it’s evident that labels can serve as both lifebuoys and anchors. They carry meanings that go well beyond simple ratings and can ripple through our lives.
In this post, I will discuss the dual nature of labelling and its effects on mental health, drawing from my personal experiences and insights gained along the way.
The Power of Labels
Labels come with a unique power; they define, categorize, and often simplify our experiences. In mental health, labels can bring clarity. When I received my diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, it provoked a mix of relief and fear. Knowing that there was a name for my struggle helped explain the chaos in my mind.
But labels can also be limiting. Instead of being viewed as individuals with rich and complex experiences, I often felt reduced to just one descriptor: “anxious.” For example, during social gatherings, I frequently heard people refer to me as the “anxious friend.” This made me feel boxed in and mischaracterised.
Labels as Lifebuoys
Initially, when I sought help, my therapist introduced terms like "Generalised Anxiety Disorder." This label was a lifebuoy for me; it validated my feelings and clarified my struggles to others. With a name for my condition, expressing what I was enduring became easier.
Labeling opened the door to various resources, treatments, and communities. I found support groups consisting of individuals who shared similar experiences. For instance, joining a local support group led to conversations that helped me realize I was not alone in my journey. n the UK, mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are common. About 1 in 6 adults (16%) experience symptoms of a common mental health problem, like anxiety or depression, in any given week, highlighting the importance of shared experiences.. Women are more likely to report experiencing these conditions than men.
Labels as Anchors
While labels can offer reassurance, they can also weigh us down with preconceived notions. Once I was labeled as an “anxious person,” I observed a shift in how people engaged with me. Friends and family started to tiptoe around my feelings, assuming I was easily overwhelmed.
This feeling of being set apart was suffocating. I began to internalise the label, seeing myself not just as someone with anxiety, but as someone incapable of dealing with stress. As a result, I avoided situations that could trigger my anxiety, missing out on opportunities and experiences that may have enriched my life.
The Role of Labels in Mental Health Stigma
The stigma surrounding mental health is often tied to labelling. Terms like "bipolar," "depressive," or "schizophrenic" can carry an extra weight that goes beyond the conditions themselves. It's common for people to judge someone's entire identity based on such labels.
I have witnessed this firsthand. Friends felt hesitant to share their mental health struggles for fear of being labeled and subsequently judged. This hesitation creates an environment where many feel trapped and unable to seek help, which is alarming considering that nearly n 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that 1 in 8 people were living with a mental disorder.
Beyond Simple Ratings
As our understanding of mental health deepens, we must move beyond mere labels and ratings. Instead of viewing labels as a final judgment, I've learned to see them as starting points for conversation and understanding.
Challenging the binary view of mental health that often restricts individuals to being either "normal" or "disordered" is essential. Mental health exists on a spectrum, and every person’s experience is unique. Embracing this complexity has allowed me to speak about my feelings more openly and honestly, free from the constraints of being defined solely by a label.
Embracing a Holistic Perspective
To genuinely support mental health, we need to adopt a holistic perspective that values individuality. I’ve discovered that discussing my anxiety in specific contexts—what triggers it, how it manifests, and my coping strategies—offers a much richer understanding than relying solely on labels.
Connecting with others who have similar but distinct narratives has proven invaluable. Hearing their stories and how they navigate labelling helps dismantle the stigma that once bound me. Through dialogue, we can reshape the way we perceive mental health and each other.
Reassessing Our Understanding of Labels
Labelling in mental health is a double-edged sword. While it can offer clarity and validation, it can also confine us within restrictive narratives that inhibit personal growth and healing.
As I reflect on my journey, I recognise that the effects of labels extend far beyond their basic definitions. Conversations about mental health thrive on empathy, understanding, and openness to individual experiences. By reshaping our perspectives and accepting the complexities of mental health, we can create a more inclusive environment—one that recognizes us as complete individuals rather than simple categories.
I encourage others to share their experiences and engage in open dialogue about the nuances of mental health. Remember, each journey is unique. While labels may provide some insight, it’s our stories that ultimately define who we are.
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