Welcome Back: Exploring the Impact of Mental Health Labels on Perception and Identity

In this second blog of the series – Labelling Mental Illness amongst Adolescents in the 21st Century: A Double-Edged Sword – we shift our focus from the concept of categorising mental illnesses to exploring their complex impacts. These labels influence perceptions and experiences, sparking both understanding and debate.

As touched on in my previous blog, the categorisation of mental illnesses has its advantages and disadvantages. It can simultaneously improve yet also oversimplify our understanding of these conditions. But what are the impacts of these labels? Whilst being a tool for improving self-awareness, empathy, and treatment, they can also perpetuate misperceptions, reduce accountability, and encourage stigma. These impacts extend beyond only the diagnosed individual. They influence families, peers, and professionals, and can persist long after the label is gone.¹

Attitudes and discussions about mental health are characterised by sensitivity and openness more amongst younger generations.² This shift in awareness has enabled more people to recognise mental health symptoms and feel confident in seeking help, likely contributing to the increasing percentage of adolescents struggling with mental illness in recent years, recorded as over 20% of eight-25 year-olds in England in 2023.^{2, 3} However, while reducing stigma and promoting positive rhetoric is hugely beneficial, it often overlooks the potential downsides of labels.

This blog aims to shed light on both sides of the conversation, with a particular focus on the less-discussed negative impacts of mental health labels.

The Impact of Labels on Perception by Others

When understood and applied effectively, labels can positively change how people view and interact with someone who has a diagnosis. By identifying and explaining behaviours, labels can increase empathy and patience. For example, an employer might create a calmer, more accommodating space for someone with ADHD or anxiety. Additionally, research shows that people with a diagnosis often receive more empathy and support than those with the same symptoms but no diagnosis.⁴ Labels can also help normalise conversations about mental health. This reduces stigma which in turn empowers people to seek support without fear of being judged.

However, labels can lead to stereotyping and unfair assumptions against those struggling with mental health issues. For instance, someone labelled with schizophrenia is often perceived by others as more violent and unpredictable than someone with the same symptoms but no diagnosis. These stereotypes often lead to unfair or patronising treatment, and the effects can persist even after the label is no longer applicable.¹ These stereotypes may partly explain why over half of British people under 25 years old feel embarrassed to seek support, and over a third don’t want anyone to know they are getting help.⁵

Take anorexia as an example. Even with good intentions, friends and family of the affected individual might become hypervigilant during mealtimes, closely monitoring what someone eats or making comments. This can leave the person feeling embarrassed or frustrated, potentially worsening their relationship with food. Even after recovery, an association to anorexia may linger. Others may continue to view them through the lens of their past illness, interpreting normal behaviours – like skipping a meal simply because they aren’t hungry – as a cause for concern. Once a label is attached, it can be difficult to separate the person from it. The sense of committing to being associated with this term indefinitely can make the idea of opening up feel even more daunting.

The Impact of Labels on Self-Perception

Labels can also shape how individuals see themselves. Positively, they can help people access treatment, make sense of their struggles, and be kinder to themselves. They can also help people connect with others who share the same diagnosis, offering a chance to share experiences and feel less alone. For example, someone with anorexia might join a support group where they can exchange recovery tips and find comfort in knowing others understand what they’re going through. 

However, labels may sometimes become a crutch. While they can reduce self-blame, they might also lead to a lack of accountability. In my experience working in an SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) school, students would sometimes blame their actions entirely on their diagnosis. For example, a child might excuse hitting a teacher or using a slur by saying, “It’s not my fault; I have ADHD.” While diagnoses can explain certain behaviours, repeatedly using them as a justification can prevent personal growth and taking responsibility.

Another risk is the development of self-fulfilling prophecies.⁶ When someone internalises their label, they may see it as a permanent, unchangeable part of their identity. This mindset, known as prognostic pessimism, can make recovery feel impossible. Instead of viewing their diagnosis as something they’re experiencing, they might believe it defines who they are.⁷ This belief often mirrors how others perceive diagnoses, reinforcing the idea that recovery is unattainable and leaving individuals feeling less motivated to change.

The Role of Cam AI

For adolescents in particular, the fear of being judged or labelled permanently can make disclosing their struggle to friends and family difficult. This is where Cam AI offers a solution. For example, someone struggling with disordered eating might hesitate to confide in a friend, worried they’ll overreact, feel burdened, or not know how to respond. Cam AI’s emotional first aid chatbot, CAM-AID,  can eliminate such concerns, allowing users to express their feelings confidentially to an empathetic conversational agent. By opening up in this safe, non-judgemental space, individuals can begin to process their emotions and gain confidence. In some cases, this can even help them feel more prepared to share their struggles with someone they trust in real life.

Mental health labels are undeniably a double-edged sword. While they can improve access to treatment and our understanding of mental illness, they can also lead to stereotyping, reduced accountability, and internalised beliefs that hinder recovery. Ultimately, labels are tools, and their effectiveness is determined by the skill and awareness of those using them. 

What are your thoughts on this? Have labels helped or hurt your experience with mental health? Please feel free to email hello@cam-ai.co.uk with any opinions you have on this topic, we’d love to hear from you!

References

1. Mickelberg, A. J., Walker, B., Ecker, U. K. H., & Fay, N. (2024). Helpful or harmful? The effect of a diagnostic label and its later retraction on person impressions. Acta Psychologica, 248, 104420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104420
2. Clarkin, J., Heywood, C., & Robinson, L. J. (2024). Are younger people more accurate at identifying mental health disorders, recommending help appropriately, and do they show lower mental health stigma than older people? Mental Health & Prevention, 36, 200361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2024.200361
3. One in five children and young people had a probable mental disorder in 2023. (2023, November 21). NHS England. NHS England » One in five children and young people had a probable mental disorder in 2023
4. Altmann, B., Fleischer, K., Tse, J., & Haslam, N. (2024). Effects of diagnostic labels on perceptions of marginal cases of mental ill-health. PLOS Mental Health, 1(3), e0000096. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000096
5. Over a third of young people experience stigma and discrimination when seeking mental health support. (n.d.). YoungMinds. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/over-a-third-of-young-people-experience-stigma-and-discrimination-when-seeking-mental-health-support/
6. Pasman, J. (2011). The consequences of labeling mental illnesses on the self-concept: A review of the literature and future directions. Social Cosmos, 2, 122-127. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=e114533c541d9b06f627923a6e4cac52562490fe
7. Yanos, P. T., Roe, D., & Lysaker, P. H. (2010). The Impact of Illness Identity on Recovery from Severe Mental Illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 13(2), 73–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487761003756860

Image source: https://images.pexels.com/photos/10063186/pexels-photo-10063186.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=2

Author: Emma Crane, Cam AI Volunteer