A criticism of the classification is the labelling that occurs if diagnosed inaccurately. Labelling is the prejudgment attached to titles caused by a certain assumption- such as the stigma surrounding mental illness. For example the idea that all schizophrenic sufferers are dangerous and violent. It is a weakness because it is difficult for patients who have been classified as obsessive and compulsive to restart their lives, even after they have adapted or, through therapy, managed to repress symptoms. Labels, especially for mental illness, are long term. Sometimes the labels can last the duration of the patients’ lives. They have to declare their previous mental illness on mortgage and job applications; it can also be discussed during interviews. …show more content…
Another effect of labelling is that the doctors will then become biased and actions are perceived as insane even though they are completely sane. This is a negative because then the OCD sufferers cannot escape their label; biased perceptions of the sufferers could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. The patients start acting the way others expect them to behave and display stereotypical characteristics, subconsciously. The doctor Gene Elliot conducted an experiment to see whether children acted as their labels. When certain children were told that their eye colours made them superior they tended to get better grades because they believed they were better. This can happen to patients of OCD who begin to present Obsessions or Compulsive behaviour. Labelling is a criticism surrounding the clinical classification of OCD because of the major impact on the patients’ lives that becomes attached to the individual that creates lasting