The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, 5th Edition, the most recent edition of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
uses the term “remission” to describe the reduction of
depressive symptoms. This paper argues that by categorizing
someone who no longer has depressive symptoms as
“in remission,” that person may feel indefinitely tied to his
or her diagnosis. Considering the unfortunate stigma associated
with mental illness, permanent linkage to diagnosis
through records and professional memory may cause individuals
to internalize pathology. In fact, the language of the
diagnosis can affect self-perception in sensitive souls for
a lifetime. As an implication for practice, we propose that
cognitive and narrative therapy approaches, mood-memoirs,
and use of metaphor present alternative uses of language
that can reduce power imbalances between clinicians
and clients, providing a bridge to healing