The Diagnostic Moment : When it has a name, you feel part of the world again

Getting A Diagnosis Is the First step to Coping

The “diagnostic moment” refers to the point during the appointment that the patient first learns of their diagnosis. For some patients, the diagnosis was already known and patients come looking for confirmation that the diagnosis they received in the past was, in fact, correct. Others come looking for better treatment options in situations where previous treatments options did not help.

For other patients, the diagnosis seemingly comes out of the blue.

“You have lichen planopilaris, Martha”

“You have folliculitis decalvans, Bruce”

“You have discoid lupus, Annette”

“You have central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, Wendy”

There is usually a mixed response from patients to learning of their diagnosis. Some part of the person feels shock. They’ve never heard of these diagnoses. They know you haven’t made up these words, but it sure sounds like you did.

At the same time there is shock, there is validation. There is relief. Some patients smile and laugh and some cry. There is validation - the world actually has a name for what the patient has.

The diagnostic moment for many is the first step to coping. Regardless of what the diagnosis is or what prognosis this diagnosis portends, having a diagnosis allows many patents to feel part of the world again.