Diagnosis

Alanis Morissette's song 'Diagnosis' delves deep into the emotional and psychological turmoil of someone grappling with mental health issues. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels disconnected from their former self and the world around them. The repeated refrain, 'Call it what you want, 'cause I don't even care anymore,' suggests a sense of resignation and detachment, as if the individual has given up on trying to label or understand their condition. This line also highlights the societal tendency to oversimplify or mislabel mental health struggles to make them more palatable or understandable to others.

The song's narrative reveals a person who has become isolated, both physically and emotionally. Lines like 'I've not left the house in a while' and 'I no longer give a damn 'bout things that used to matter' indicate a deep-seated apathy and withdrawal from life. The mention of coming back from the war could be a metaphor for a traumatic experience that has left the person feeling broken and unable to reintegrate into their previous life. This war could be an internal battle with mental illness, symbolizing the ongoing struggle and the scars it leaves behind.

Morissette's lyrics also touch on the frustration and helplessness felt by both the individual and those around them. The lines 'And all of you are so frustrated, and everyone around me is trying to help as much as they can' capture the well-meaning but often ineffective attempts of loved ones to provide support. The song poignantly conveys the isolation that comes with mental health struggles, even when surrounded by people who care. The phrase 'meltdown of nervousness diagnosis' encapsulates the overwhelming and paralyzing nature of anxiety and depression, leaving the person feeling 'out of order' and unable to function in their daily life.