What is in a name? The impact of labels

Erik Erikson, a leading figure in our understanding of developmental psychology, coined the term “identity crisis” in 1968. It is thought that during the 5th stage of development, during adolescence, we build a coherent sense of who are reflecting on past, present and future. If this is successfully negotiated, a unified sense of self is established but problems with this negotiation can lead to an “identity crisis”; a period of confusion and uncertainty that can destabilise our sense of self.

Now the interesting thing about our sense of identity is that, unsurprisingly, this can impact our perceptions of the world around us as well as affecting our thought patterns and decisions. Based on our perceptions, we even play out narratives or simulate next steps based on this and there are multiple psychological studies that demonstrate this. A simple example is when we see a cup, we understand this is an object to be held and drunk from so simply seeing it and knowing our role as a person in relation to the cup, means we automatically play out the sequence of picking up the cup and drinking from it, and much of this happens without consciously paying attention to the thought pattern.

Furthermore, our personalities are also formed by our understanding of self and the world around us, creating “constructs” that help us navigate life in a way that best makes sense to us.

So why am I delving into these 3 psychological concepts? Where does this lead to?

Our sense of identity can act as a foundation for not only how we see ourselves but how we perceive the world around us, create narratives of our relationship with other people and our environment but also subconsciously impact our decisions and how we direct ourselves through our day to day lives - whether it be mundane or significant.

And it is over the last few weeks that I myself have had some significant reflections on my identity and the impact it has had. And here comes that awful term, “labels”.

Ever since I can remember I was “the sick kid”; constantly battling some kind of infection or ailment, always underweight, and always worried about by others. My health improved as an adolescent but then came the misunderstandings, jealousy, and even accusations with being “thin”. Through all the ups and downs, I remember constantly thinking that “the sick kid” label never felt like me but I accepted it nonetheless. Whilst I attribute much of my resilience and fighting spirit to having worked through these many episodes of illness as a young child, it had a notable impact on how I saw myself and the plans I made for the future. As a young professional, people seemed baffled by my work ethic and I remember being told by many to “slow down” and “take your time”. 

I have consistently raced against myself to achieve more, quicker and faster than what might be reasonable because there’s a little voice that says “what if you get sick and then you lose time or get held back?”. Whilst I have always wanted a family, I have always worried about whether it would be right to pass my genes on because I wouldn’t want my child/children to struggle like I have. And because I have never liked the feeling or image of being “the sick kid” I have taken pride in trying to present myself well and ensuring no one's first impression of me has anything to do with illness. I have always taken care to stock medicines and keep a thermometer closeby in any home of mine, just in case. And I always have an in depth conversation with the Occupational Health department when I start a new job so there are no surprises if anything happens. Just writing this out for the first time and I am exhausted by the ridiculous list that has been created by a single label that I have lived with.

And so it begs the question, how does this label serve me? Well, it’s been my way of navigating through the world and it has led to some successes and many strengths which make up my character and personality. It’s not all bad and I accepted it as part of me, even if it has gotten less problematic over the years. I am by all means healthy and haven’t even had a need to see my GP for over 2 years now (quite a record for those that know me).

The problem is that we often don’t take a critical look at labels once they’ve been embedded as part of us. Whether we accept them or fight with them, we just keep on going with them.

For obvious reasons, the pandemic forced me to get answers to a certain extent but in January this year, I decided to go a step further. I got genetic testing done to finally get some answers about how much of a “sick kid” I really was or am.

The answer was not at all.

I carry no genetic variants with health predispositions or carrier status, and in fact have a genetic predisposition to weigh less than average, and am genetically unlikely to be affected by my dietary choices. It was like someone had suddenly taken off my messed up glasses and given me clear vision. What had always been painted as “the sick kid” was now firmly parked in the past and all my fears of ongoing illness, precaution, and hereditary risk were gone. Of course, genetic testing can’t pick up everything and isn’t a guarantee of what’s to come. I was very unwell as a child and still live with CFS so it’s not to say this solves everything. Perhaps I was just unlucky as a child. But the narrative has been stopped in its tracks and now completely changes the way I see myself and my future.

It made me think about all the different labels we give ourselves or allow others to give us. The fact that we may live our lives without challenging them and yet are so significantly impacted by them. Who chooses these? To what benefit? How can we challenge them?

Erikson himself faced an identity crisis. One that was only reconciled as an adult. He had grown up under the name of Solomonsen; his mother’s husbands’ name at the time of his birth, despite his mother remarrying when he was 3yrs old and continuing with a separate name to the newly formed family. He was pressured to become a doctor but became an artist before training as a psychoanalyst and meeting his wife. It was when they moved to America together that he chose the surname of “Erikson” and became an American citizen in 1933. And now Erikson is one of the most well known names in the field of Psychology.

So as the famous line goes “what is in a name”? As it turns out, quite a lot.