When we say that you must take care of your mental wellness, we’re not promoting getting an official mental health diagnosis or getting medicated. Most people will experience mental health struggles and need support like online counseling sometime during their lifetime. However, only up to 15% (depending on location) will actually have an underlying mental health condition or disorder [1]. Even fewer will ever need medication.
After having seen numerous clients who have been misdiagnosed or unnecessarily placed on pretty potent concoctions of medication, we are the first to advocate for asking questions.
But misdiagnosing, hyperfixating on certain conditions or disorders, or prescribing unnecessary treatments is not just a modern-day mental health problem. We only need to take a quick trip down memory lane to see why it’s so important to advocate for oneself…
Disproven Mental Health Diagnoses
The following are a few “conditions” and “disorders” that have stopped being recognized as official mental health diagnoses throughout the years:
Hysteria
The history surrounding Hysteria comes a looooong way. It began with the Egyptians and the Greeks and what they referred to as “the wandering womb.” They believed that the womb impacted the rest of the body and a woman’s general health. We won’t go into too much detail here, but the treatment to “coax” a wandering womb back into place included strategically placing smells at various bodily orifices.
The condition of “female problems” had various iterations until 1880, when Jean-Martin Charcot first identified it as Hysteria. There is a lot to say about Hysteria and its treatment, but in essence, the “condition” was blamed for everything from menstrual cycles to having a libido and experiencing general hormonal changes. In short, anything that the patriarchal society back then could not understand or found confusing about women.
Although we can all have a good chuckle over the absurdity of it all today, it still surprises our online counseling clients to hear that Hysteria actually remained an official mental health condition till 1980 [2]!
Drapetomania
Today we can acknowledge that Drapetomania was more a symptom of its time than an actual mental disorder. The condition was “discovered” by Dr. Samuel Adolphus Cartwright in 1851.
This psychological disorder was said to be what slaves suffered from, which caused them to run away from their owners. In short, it was a good excuse to ensure that no one dug too deep into the actual act of slavery and the treatment of slaves [3].
Nostalgia
That’s right; that song or old memories tugging at your heartstrings were once considered a very serious psychiatric disorder. The term was coined by a medical student called Johannes Hofer in 1688. It was derived from the Greek words ‘nostos’ and ‘algos,’ which translate to ‘homecoming’ and ‘pain.’
As the name suggests, most Nostalgia sufferers seemed to be migrants, soldiers, or those living nomadic lives, which inevitably meant a fair share of loneliness and homesickness. However, in 1688, this was not a condition to be trifled with, and the belief was that it could be fatal.
Treatments varied from being self-destructive (such as opium use) to wholesome remedies like listening to music from your homeland or reading letters from your family back home [4].
Homosexuality
It’s sad, but true: homosexuality was once an official mental health disorder. Luckily, this was short-lived and was only listed as such from 1968 till 1973. However, as we now know, the stigma still lingered for much longer, and in some circles, it proved difficult to shake the condition or illness perspective.
The “pray the gay away” stance in conservative Christian communities often accompanied specialized camps, where young men were exposed to unspeakable horrors in an attempt to “fix” them.
For most within the LGBTQ+ community attending online counseling sessions, it’s quite shocking to think that the last of these extremist campsites only shut down in 2013 – that’s just over a decade ago [5]!
Bizarre Treatments
It’s not only mental health diagnoses that evolve with time; it’s also treatments. These are just a few that we’ve (luckily) left by the medical wayside:
Bloodletting with Leeches
This was considered more of a medical procedure than a specific mental health treatment. However, there was a time when bloodletting with leeches was done for pretty much every ache, pain, and ailment – including mental health struggles.
Once again, it was the Egyptians and Greeks who started the practice during the Middle Ages, and it became a combination of trying to heal the body by balancing bodily fluids to quite literally sucking out the problem (including things like excessive humor and the feeling of being cathartic).
The practice of bloodletting using leeches had dramatically decreased by the 1800s, but we actually still use it today (only in a more scientific and medically proven way). For example, did you know that the Hirudo leech secretes certain medically beneficial substances, including an anticoagulant? They also help reduce venous congestion and prevent tissue necrosis, making them ideal for post-operative care such as in the case of skin grafts or amputations.
But we’re not in the dark ages anymore, and we’re aware of the threat of infection when using these leeches. That’s why the University of Wisconsin came up with a “mechanical leech” (our modern-day version of the old classic) [6].
Purging with Poison
Purging with poison was another option in the same vein of bloodletting. Ultimately, the idea was to vomit the ailment out. Doctors would prescribe toxic substances, including arsenic and poisonous plants, so the patient would become ill and let the pain and depression leave their bodies [7].
Gyrating Chair for Schizophrenia
The gyrating or spinning chair was a popular treatment for mental health conditions, especially Schizophrenia. The chair was invented in 1750 by Dr. Boerhaave and mostly used in Europe and the US. Similar to bloodletting and purging, the theory behind it rested on restoring equilibrium in the blood and bodily tissue.
To accomplish this “rebalancing,” the patient was strapped into the chair and sent spinning at roughly 100 revolutions per minute. Still, the chair was essentially nothing more than a nightmare theme park ride, bringing no relief or cure; just patients passing out and, in extreme cases, blood was even found trickling from their mouths, noses, and ears [8].
The Lobotomy
The lobotomy is yet another mental health procedure that nightmares are made of. Mental health conditions and disorders were believed to be negative and destructive thought patterns stuck in a loop inside the brain. Therefore, it seemed only reasonable that disrupting the loop would bring this vicious cycle of mental illness to an end.
It was Egas Moniz who initially came up with the idea in 1935. He proudly diarized his idea of cutting the frontal lobe from the rest of the brain. The procedure’s “success stories” spread, popularity grew, and at its peak the UK alone had up to 1000 operations a year!
However, in reality, its success wasn’t really due to any significant improvements or actually curing anyone; it just brought some relief to the already strained mental health institutions that were ill-equipped to handle the numbers and severity of certain conditions.
Some of the side effects of the lobotomy were dampening emotions and making the patient more docile, which in turn made them much easier to handle. It also meant that a few patients could even be sent back to their homes where family would continue to take care of them.
Still, statistically, these “successes” made up only about a third of all lobotomies. The other 75% lost all motivation, barely had any emotional responses, and became almost childlike in their personality and cognitive abilities. In severe cases, the procedure actually resulted in patients becoming epileptic or even dying.
By the mid-1950s, the lobotomy era was at its end. The lackluster results had increased scrutiny of the procedure, and the first psychiatric drugs had been released. So, today, you can book online counseling sessions with the peace of mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean mental health diagnoses or prescription medication, and DEFINITELY not a lobotomy [9]!
Recent Changes to Mental Health Diagnoses
Changes are still being made, and the DSM (the official manual for mental disorders and conditions) is still updated. Some of the most recent changes include the following:
- Prolonged Grief Disorder has officially been recognized and included in the DSM as a formal mental health diagnosis. But please note that a period of grieving doesn’t automatically qualify someone for Prolonged Grief Disorder. This is only when the grief is so intense that it disrupts daily functioning for longer than 6 months in children and for longer than a year in adults.
- Stimulant-Induced Mild Neurocognitive Disorder has officially been recognized and included in the DSM as a byproduct of substance abuse. This includes symptoms such as trouble remembering and learning difficulties.
- Self-harm and suicide have their own codes now, free-standing from other conditions and disorders. This makes it much easier to understand, track, and treat since we no longer automatically link self-harm or suicide with conditions or disorders; sometimes they are merely stand-alone events linked to negative life experiences or challenging times.
- Asperger’s Disorder has been removed as a condition and now forms part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder scale.
- Schizophrenia is no longer subcategorized. We used to specify between different “types” of schizophrenia such as Catatonic Schizophrenia and Paranoid Schizophrenia. However, clinicians have found these distinctions to be more symptomatic than the foundations of entirely different diagnoses.
- You won’t find Hypochondriac in the DSM anymore; it now forms part of Somatoform Disorders. This is when a person experiences physical symptoms that cannot be medically explained.
Asking Questions About Mental Health Diagnoses & the Treatment You Receive
As we already mentioned, we highly recommend that our clients ask as many questions as possible during online counseling sessions. Our stance is as follows:
- Mental health professionals are there to guide and advise; we’re not here to tell you what you’re thinking or feeling. If anyone is putting words in your mouth or making incorrect assumptions, you need to speak up or get a second opinion.
- Irrespective of what you’re told, mental health professionals are only human. Sometimes there can be a general personality clash or mismatch between a client and a professional, making it extremely difficult to understand, relate, or connect with one another. Needless to say, this can impact the validity of any potential mental health diagnoses and treatment. This is why we give clients at Personal Online Therapy the opportunity to switch professionals if it’s not the right fit.
- In the same vein, mental health professionals are only human, so we can also make mistakes. If you think that your mental health professional has made a mistake, whether it’s a potential misdiagnosis or medication that doesn’t seem to agree with you, speak up. Any mental health professional worth their salt will listen and adjust the course accordingly if need be.
- People are complex and unique. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for mental health challenges. Finding what works for you is a journey of self-discovery that requires the honest input from both yourself and your therapist. If you choose not to speak up or are dishonest in your input or feedback, the treatment is very likely to fail.
Need Assistance with Mental Health Diagnoses or Want to Book an Online Counseling Session?
If you’re struggling with mental health diagnoses (whether you think you need one or think you might be dealing with the wrong one), or you’re just looking for some support during a challenging time in your life, Personal Online Therapy is happy to assist.
We’ll match you with the right professional for your specific needs and personality during a free introductory call. So, let us know how we can assist by sending an email to info@personalonlinetherapy.com or by completing the form below:
FAQs About Mental Health Diagnoses and Online Counseling
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding mental health diagnoses and online counseling:
Can I Get a Mental Health Diagnosis During Online Counseling?
Yes, if you suspect that you have a chronic mental health condition or disorder, your therapist will be able to diagnose you during online counseling. However, we don’t just rely on conversations; we also use diagnostic testing to verify diagnoses.
If I Receive a Mental Health Diagnosis During Online Counseling, Will I Be Medicated?
Receiving an official mental health diagnosis does not mean you’ll be prescribed medication. This will depend on the individual and circumstances. Medication can also only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Luckily, we have a wide range of professionals working together here at Personal Online Therapy, so we’ll be able to assist with all your mental health needs and requirements.
Does Going to Online Counseling Mean That I Will Be Getting an Official Mental Health Diagnosis?
No, attending online counseling sessions doesn’t mean that you’ll receive an official mental health diagnosis. Online counseling is for general mental health support and guidance. So, anyone struggling with their mental health (even if it’s just for a period in their life) is more than welcome to find the support they need here at Personal Online Therapy.
How Fast Can I Get an Online Counseling Session?
Seeking the help of an on-site mental health professional can often mean sitting on a waiting list for months. At Personal Online Therapy, we’ve ensured that you get the support you need as fast as possible. Just book your FREE introductory call, and we’ll have you in your first online counseling session within days.
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
2. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history-quackery/history-hysteria
3. https://hekint.org/2022/10/06/drapetomania-a-disease-that-never-was/
4. https://hekint.org/2025/10/27/a-medical-and-cultural-history-of-nostalgia/
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4695779/
6. https://bcmj.org/premise/history-bloodletting
7. https://websites.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/madness/cures.html
8. https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/300764/view/mental-patient-being-treated-in-a-gyrating-chair
9. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15629160
