Researchers coin ‘Rumpelstiltskin Effect’ to describe healing power of diagnosis

A new term introduced by researchers at James Madison University (JMU) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) calls attention to an important and understudied phenomenon in medicine: the therapeutic power of naming a diagnosis.  

The “Rumpelstiltskin Effect” refers to the symptom relief patients often feel when their suffering receives a clinical label, even when the diagnosis doesn’t explain the cause or lead to treatment. The concept is detailed in an article by Alan Levinovitz, a professor of philosophy and religion at JMU, and Awais Aftab, a psychiatrist in Cleveland and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at CWRU. 

“There's something fascinating that happens when a patient hears an official name for what they’re experiencing – the unknown becomes knowable and manageable just by being named, which can relieve physical and mental suffering. That’s what we seek to explore further,” said Levinovitz. 

The term draws inspiration from the folktale character Rumpelstiltskin, whose power disappears when his secret name is known. The researchers argue that this naming effect is a cross-cultural and historical phenomenon, appearing in everything from folklore and exorcism to modern psychiatry and chronic illness. 

The article also connects the “Rumpelstiltskin Effect” to current debates about “concept creep,” the medicalization of everyday suffering, and the increase in self-diagnosis. 

Although widely recognized by clinicians, the effect has received little formal study. Levinovitz and Aftab say it deserves attention as a psychological universal and a potential tool for improving patient care.