labeling-people-in-societyLabels Limit

Post traumatic stress, social anxiety, ADD and so many other labels, we accept them even are grateful to have them but do we ever look to the underside of the label? Do labels expand us or do they limit us and help keep us in victim mode?

Why does having a label for what we are experiencing make things better? It gives us a reason, an excuse and explanation for what is happening TO us. It sums us up in one word. We have a “problem”,  and a diagnosis. The labels make things easier on the surface. There are support groups, medicine and sympathy available once we accept that label.

There is a cost involved with accepting that label and it’s a big cost. Each label we accept carries a energetic frequency. That frequency changes us and keeps us as a victim. After all if we have the “label” we have to accept certain vulnerabilities about ourselves. To label something is to limit that person place or thing.  To accept a label is to accept the limitation.

Many experiencers (another label I know) have symptoms of PTSD, it’s not surprising. Abduction changes us and teaches us the hard way that we are not in control of our lives or our bodies.  But what does accepting the label or diagnosis of PTSD give us?  (I am using PTSD as an example for mental health labels in general) Depending on which organization you source PTSD is a mental illness, disorder, condition or problem. Do WE have the problem or condition? It depends on how we look at it.

Something was done TO us. We were not the instigator of our situation. So why then do the PHDs need to label US? Why do we NEED that label?  It’s a program. If we have that label then we can allow ourselves to shed responsibility for how we handle our experiences. Here are some of the symptoms of PTSD taken from the Mayo Clinic website (direct link to page – mayoclinic.org).

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

  • Negative feelings about yourself or other people
  • Inability to experience positive emotions
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Hopelessness about the future
  • Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
  • Difficulty maintaining close relationships

Changes in emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:

  • Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
  • Always being on guard for danger
  • Overwhelming guilt or shame
  • Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Being easily startled or frightened

Most people have these issues at some point in their lives. The world we live in is an extremely stressful one.  But once we accept whichever label seems to fit, PTSD or another then we have an out, an excuse, a weakness. We have been harmed and we are victims.

Excuse me but “Bullshit!”.  Yes something happened to me, lots of “somethings” have happened to me in my life but I am not a victim and I will not accept a label that involves weakness and blame. Playing the victim card may get us things in the short term but in the long term it turns us into the diagnosis.

It’s ok to feel any emotion we need to in order to deal with what has happened to us but accepting the authority based labels for comfort only makes us less of who we truly are. So look for the labels in your life. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and types. Then toss them away. Be the person you choose to be it’s ok if you have weaknesses we all do but don’t add to the demise of your true self by allowing outside limitation.

As always,

Take Care of YOU!!

Dana