Being Gay Isn’t a Mental Illness, but it Used to be Categorised as One.
As conversations about neurodiversity and neurodivergence gain momentum in corporate settings, it's crucial to understand the complex terminology we use.
Firstly, forgive the provocative headline—it’s designed to capture your attention! Rest assured, we've made significant progress since the days when being gay was categorised as a mental disorder. That said, the subject brings to light some intriguing discussions about the way we classify mental health and neurodiversity in today's workplace.
Neurodiversity: A Complicated Landscape
As conversations about neurodiversity and neurodivergence gain momentum in corporate settings, it's crucial to understand the complex terminology we use: Illness, Difference, Disorder and so on. The human mind is intricate and categorizing its nuances is far from simple. FYI: “neurodiversity” is usually used to describe a group of “neurodivergent” individuals.
My Personal Journey with Multiple Sclerosis and ADHD
While I'm not a doctor, I have navigated the healthcare system extensively due to my diagnoses of multiple sclerosis (MS) and ADHD. Both are now under control and the way they are managed has prompted me to think more deeply about health classifications. I see a specialist annually for both conditions. For MS, this involves lying in a metal tube (MRI) for about three hours with dye coursing through my veins. For ADHD, it's about preparing notes to answer the question: "So, how have you been?".
MS can be observed through medical imaging, while ADHD is less straightforward and doesn't show up on scans (to the best of my knowledge). Diagnostic criteria are evolving, with most countries' psychiatrists now adhering to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), currently in its 11th edition. It wasn't until the 10th edition, in 1990, that homosexuality was officially declassified as a disorder.
The US also uses Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), currently on DSM-5. It also classified Homosexuality as a disorder, but removed the reference much earlier in 1973.
It’s Everywhere Now!
I believe it is these historical mis-steps and lack of simple evidence that leads some people to question conditions like ADHD (and others elements of neurodiversity). The evidence is indeed complex and Occam’s Razor doesn’t always apply, but both ICD and DSM are based on decades of research and lifetimes of questioning. One of the less generous reactions I’ve received to disclosing my ADHD diagnosis was “Oh, sure that’s everywhere now-a-days, I blame Tik-Tok”. My internal-monologue was quick to agree. I also recognized that my psychiatrist gathers information from those who know me best and spend most time with me.
Could it be that the heightened detection of neurodiversity stems from our close quarters with loved ones during the pandemic? Perhaps this concentrated time has provided us with enough evidence to make more accurate assessments.