I think choosing to have something bad be part of the core of how you view yourself is harmful. There’s some evidence to back this up iirc (things like people involved in shootings being interviewed immediately after and then again months later - those that had issues recovering made it part of their identity, those that didn’t - didn’t).
If there are strategies to avoid harm I want to know what those are. If there are bad strategies I want to throw them away.
People can do what they want, but I wonder if defending and reinforcing someone’s identity as a victim does more harm than good.
In general I think people are way overconfident about what the “right” thing is here and what’s actually happening or what the best way to get out of it is.
It may have been episodal which happens to most people at some point in their.
I can understand the approach ( and not necessarily agree) if it were a chronic life long condition.
But, even if it's not lifelong, it still is. One's identity is constantly changing. Suggesting that a part of a person's identity doesn't really count as much because that part of them might change a few years down the line is an act of erasure. It's a microaggresion directed at the person they are right here and right now. People who experience mood disorders are already swimming in a sea of social stigma; we could really use a little bit less rejection, well-intentioned or otherwise.