Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to learn about how our words can contribute to stigma—especially when we use the names of mental illnesses and symptoms as adjectives.
Though our society has become more open about speaking about mental health and more conscious of how our words can perpetuate stigma, a sneaky type of language often still pops up. It’s one that can perpetuate misunderstandings and downplay the struggles of those living with serious mental illnesses: the use of the names of mental health disorders and symptoms as adjectives.
Using these words casually to talk about things other than mental illnesses or to define a person can both emphasize that individual’s struggles and make it more difficult for them to seek help. Below are five common examples to look out for.
“Bipolar” isn’t a synonym for moody.
“Bipolar” is sometimes used to indicate a person or thing that swings rapidly between extremes. But, while bipolar disorder does cause dramatic shifts in mood and energy, these changes often happen over weeks or months, not moments. And, using the name of a serious illness casually to describe something like the weather both fosters misunderstandings and minimizes the struggles of those who live with this condition. Terms like “fluctuating” or “unpredictable” can communicate more accurately without contributing to stigma.
“Schizophrenic” doesn’t mean fickle.
Like “bipolar,” the word “schizophrenic” is also sometimes used to refer to rapidly changing weather, as well as to mean “erratic” or “indecisive.” But schizophrenia is a serious, chronic disease can cause hallucinations, delusions and difficulty concentrating, as well as social withdrawal and emotional unresponsiveness. It’s among the most disruptive and debilitating mental illnesses—not a tendency to change one’s mind. So, use words like “unpredictable” and “inconsistent” instead.
“Depressed” isn’t the same as sad.
Everyone feels low at times. But major depression is much more than sadness, grief or having a rough day. It’s a serious mental illness characterized by feelings of sadness or loss of interest that last at least two weeks, and it can severely impact a person’s ability to function.
Yet, it’s common to hear comments like “I’m so depressed” in a response to our team losing a game or favorite show being cancelled. While things like this can impact depressive symptoms, simply feeling down isn’t the same as experiencing major depression; and using the word “depressed” so casually can minimize the suffering of those dealing with a life-altering mental illness.
“Anxious” isn’t the same as living with an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is normal and sometimes even beneficial as it can warn us about things that are potentially dangerous, keep us alert and protect us from harm. But just as experiencing depression isn’t the same thing as living with major depression, dealing with anxiety is different from dealing with an anxiety disorder.
NAMI explains that anxiety disorders cause “persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” This can become overwhelming, interfering with a person’s day-to-day activities. It’s not a passing emotion, but an ongoing struggle.
“Psychotic” doesn’t mean violent.
In movies and TV shows, the villain is often referred to as “psychotic,” and this word is often used as a synonym for dangerous and unhinged. But psychosis isn’t a propensity for violence, it’s a symptom of numerous mental illnesses, one that’s often confusing and frightening for the person experiencing it. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) explains,
“Psychosis is characterized as disruptions to a person’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to recognize what is real and what isn’t. These disruptions are often experienced as seeing, hearing and believing things that aren’t real or having strange, persistent thoughts, behaviors and emotions.”
Saying “psychotic” to describe something other than these symptoms reinforces the misconception that people dealing with them are to be feared. If you mean “violent” or “dangerous,” simply use these words instead.
None of these illnesses are adjectives for people or conditions.
Just as we wouldn’t call a person cancerous, it’s important not to use any of these words in ways that define individuals. For example, we can use phrases like “lives with bipolar disorder” or “has been diagnosed with schizophrenia” rather than stating they “are bipolar” or “are schizophrenic.”
Though this may seem like a small shift, it’s one that can have a lasting impact. Each time we avoid using mental health conditions as adjectives, we emphasize that people are more than the illnesses with which they struggle.
The Well Community is a place where people living with serious mental illnesses aren’t defined by them. Here, these individuals receive support and enjoy the blessings of connection and friendship. Give now to help us continue to serve them!