Words Matter: Challenging Labels in Mental Health
"“Depressed," “bulimic," “addict," “schizophrenic," and “alcoholic" represent common terminologies referring to individuals with formal mental health disorders. Nevertheless, a human being also encompasses a past, a present, and a future. One has an identity, many personal characteristics, core values, vulnerabilities, and strengths.
Stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, psychosis, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders may be part of one’s life, however. Individuals with mental health disorders experience prolonged psychological distress as a result of a combination of factors, commonly known as bio-psychosocial factors (personal challenges, social surroundings, and/or biological factors).
Why do words matter in mental health?
Perhaps it is easier to understand why terminology is important in mental health if we look at how we talk about chronic medical conditions. Labeling an individual with a cancer diagnosis as “cancerous” would be perceived as highly insensitive, disturbing, and inhumane. Why? In this case, the reason is obvious: A human being represents much more than their cancer diagnosis.
Unfortunately, we are not as highly aware of such terminology in mental health. Using “cancerous” or “anorexic” can equally cancel a person’s sense of identity. Words like “addict” may attempt to completely define an entity. “Bulimic” can easily become a label.
Indeed, mental health concerns may disrupt people’s lives in many ways, with considerations at a personal and societal level. But there are paths to recovery in mental health care. If an individual’s life consists of their labeled mental health condition and nothing else, recovery would not be possible whatsoever. Fortunately, people have vast resources that can be discovered and nurtured to create future flourishing. Resilience and growth can be fostered in mental health care.
Person-first language
Despite the stigma in mental health, individuals are not and should not be defined by their mental health conditions. It is fundamental to understand and see people beyond psychological distress.
How can we refer to a person with a mental health disorder? Using the same analogy referring to a person with a cancer diagnosis, we can refer to them as simply a person with a mental health concern/condition/disorder. Unless we're told otherwise, we can say "a person with (or diagnosed with) depression," "a person with an eating disorder," "a person with an addiction," etc.
Writing this post comes from a place of consideration for all those who have been affected by the stigma around mental health. Stigma has an immensely negative effect on people with mental health disorders. That's why terminology matters in mental health and beyond. Therefore, this is an invitation to colleagues, educators, researchers, clinicians, and students, but also to society, to hold hands together and continue our efforts to destigmatize mental health disorders. Words matter."
*Mental health is extremely stigmatized in our society and it amazes me because, at least in America, we are considered "progressive" in terms of mental health care compared to a lot of the rest of the world. History has not been kind to those who struggle with their mental health. This stigma has deep roots. We are slowly moving in a direction that supports mental health, but terminology still matters. I used to struggle with my need for medication for my anxiety, OCD, and bouts of depression. I used to wonder why I needed to rely on this medicine to make me feel "normal." Why couldn't I just do it on my own? When I had these thoughts, I tried to change my thinking into a more positive one. I tried to remember that the brain is an organ, just like our liver or our heart. We take insulin for diabetes, so why isn't it okay if we take medicine for anxiety? Our brains have a chemical imbalance, just like others' livers can't produce insulin. We don't shame people for faulty livers, do we? We need to learn to be kinder to everyone as a whole. Words matter! Have you ever faced stigma in regard to your mental health? What do you wish would've been said instead?*
#WordsMatter #Stigma #Terminology
Please find the full article at Psychology Today.
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@fruityPond7887
Aww this is such an important read.
I feel, at times, some people don't mean any harm but can say things that invalidate and define even unknowingly, just because of lack of awareness or lack of awareness on the part that certain words could stick and there's a better, more accepting way to rephrase the same thing.
Reminders and awareness around the same is so so so important. We can all certainly try to do better and be kinder.
Thankyou for sharing, Pond. You're amazing as ever, and I'm super proud of you always. 💛
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou Aww Sun thank you for your so sweet words and kindness always! Yes, there is always room for improvement for everyone and I'm sure a lot of people don't mean things maliciously, but just that there may be a lack of understanding. You put it into words perfectly! Thank you for reading! ❤️
@fruityPond7887 
Asthmatic, epileptic (ok that one's brain), paraplegic, medically complex, amputee, hypoxic, hyperglycemic, anemic, IV user.
It can be a bit exhausting to hear we need to reduce stigma when it comes to mental health conditions by invalidating the stigma people with physical health conditions do experience.
"Our brains have a chemical imbalance, just like others' livers can't produce insulin. We don't shame people for faulty livers, do we?"
I don't understand why a chemical imbalance is being compared to a liver that cannot produce insulin, that's normal. (The article this was copied from has been edited, removing this). In those who are healthy, insulin is produced in pancreas, not the liver. There is also a word for people who don't produce enough insulin or respond appropriately to it - diabetic.
As for the lack of shaming people get for a faulty liver - have you ever spoken to someone who is waiting for a liver transplant? There's a fairly large amount of stigma there. While the liver doesn't normally produce insulin, it does normally produce c1 inhibitor. Mine's a bit faulty that way, and there's certainly stigma with being a IV user in order to supplement that back in with a blood product.
I agree that there's a lot of stigma that can come with a mental health condition, but it's there with physical ones too. I hope we can support everyone.
In terms of person-first language, it's also a bit complex. Asking when possible is ideal. I find in some cases it's something we are moving away from it, but in others the trend by those in a particular community is moving towards it.
@AffyAvo Hi Affy! Thank you for your thoughts! I definitely didn't post this to invalidate the stigma around physical health issues, but just to help bring both to a more common awareness. With my own experience and thoughts, I just feel like there is more knowledge and less stigma around physical health than mental health. I hope we all can bring both to the same level ❤️ Also, that was my fault about the liver producing the insulin. I got my anatomy wrong hehe.
@fruityPond7887 Sorry about pointing out the liver thing with a bit of cynicism. I thought that was part of the article there, and I certainly have higher expectations for an article there vs. a forum post!
I find there's actually a lot of awareness lacking with physical illnesses - although it varies greatly by the illness. One of mine only 1 of my doctors had actually heard of it before I explained it. Another is actually not formally diagnosed because of no knowledgeable doctor in the area.
I agree there is certainly a stigma with mental health issues that differs from physical health. I'm not sure if overall it's actually less.
I can understand wanting to 'bring up' a mental condition to some of the aspects that certain physical conditions have. Ultimately though, I think both mental and physical conditions could could do with better resources, less stigma and better support.