<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> N>Just what is labeling theory? In brief, this is the application of an N>impersonal term to a person (or group of people) who is receiving N>assistive services from medical, mental health or social services N>providers. Theapplication of a label allows the service provider to do N>two things... N>It is the difference between saying "I have celiac sprue" and saying N>"I am celiac sprue". in RE: GARY ROBERTS I think the reference of the institutional depersonalizaation of "the gallbladder in Bed 31B" instead of 'Mrs. Smith" has been long belabored professionaly. I guess I have referred to myself and others as a"celiac". I have heard many people say "I am a Diabetic". I think maybe communication is more important than nit-picking. My objection to the list-labelling, has been the connectivity issue. Many "who have Celiac/sprue" have other conditions. Some of the list members seem to want to indicate that having celiac/sprue means that we are all subject to having every one of these other conditions. All celiacs do not have autism or Parkinson's or hypothyroidism. Some are cold; others are not. Some of the summaries seem to want to indicate a global context, where it does not exist. I have celiac/sprue disease. My way of dealing with my conditiion may vary from that of some who have other concomitant problems along with having celiac/sprue.AMS