“For your insurance submission, I have to include a diagnosis,” my new counselor said. “So the code on the paperwork refers to a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder.”
I laughed out loud.
Mike’s career as a counselor is his second career. He is also a musician and music producer–we’ve even crossed paths unknowingly at a few creative retreats and conferences. His counseling practice focuses on therapy with artists and creative people.
“It’s a pretty standard reason for taking up therapy for any reason–it’s a low-grade diagnosis. I just wanted to make sure you understood what it meant.”
I laughed again, harder, and Mike looked at me questioningly. I mean, he already knows a lot about my weaknesses and failings, obviously. But usually it comes out in tears instead of laughter. I tried to explain.
“It’s just funny. I mean, ‘Adjustment Disorder.’ Isn’t that just the state of being for a Christian…for being human? It seems like that’s just LIFE. We’re all, always, out of sync with the broken world, right?”
Mike smiled ironically, “You’re a big thinker. Well, it’s just a way of indicating to insurance that there’s a reason for your going through this therapy process.”
I nodded. “I just thought it was a funny way of saying “SNAFU. You know. How the human “normal” means that everyone is a little screwed up.”
He laughed again. That’s what I like about Mike. A counselor should be able to laugh at your jokes.
Adjustment disorder. Who DOESN’T have it?
Notes from the Sea 