There is no shame in having mental health conditions of any kind as it is completely normal and a part of the lives of many individuals. But to normalize talking about terms in mental health does not equate to using them like character traits, much less insults. Actual mental health terminology 一 mental illness specifically 一 should not take the place of insults because they aren’t insults and never should be insults that are meant to harm someone. These conditions are real and pose many obstacles in the day-to-day lives of those who suffer from them. Using these terms lightly or interchangeably spreads misinformation, gives a platform to untrue portrayals, and vilifies people living with mental health issues.
To be honest, sentiments such as, “everyone is a little OCD,” perpetuate a false narrative. Not only is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, most commonly known as OCD, an actual mental health condition and not a personality trait of someone who happens to be more anal retentive than others. It’s more than being overly organized or cleanly. Oftentimes, OCD can put a strain on the day-to-day tasks of individuals who live with it. Even more commonly still, mood and anxiety disorders can get overused from time to time.
Anxiety is very much a common feeling amongst everyone. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, may be a common disorder, but that shouldn’t take away from it’s seriousness. Having anxiety does not mean feeling nervous all the time, but the reality is living alongside a crippling sense of self-doubt and a constant fear of impending danger. These feelings of anxiety can become debilitating and can occur on a regular basis, and no one has the right to underplay the enormity of living with this disorder.
Light, offhand comments on undiagnosed behavior like Sentiments such as “he’s so hot and cold it’s annoying, he’s so bipolar,” can be extremely harmful. Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a serious condition that is not about sudden changes in nice or bad treatment of others. Individuals with BPD experience periods of highs and lows that do not necessarily correlate with the emotions of happiness or sadness. BPD is just one of the many complex mental illnesses that deserve proper research and treatment and not ridicule or typecasting. Using these terms as insults paint people who live with these conditions in a negative light.
While we’ve only covered three, there are a multitude of terms that get misused every single day. Why does this matter? Treating these conditions like quirks downplay their severity. People who don’t understand the true extent of the conditions may judge people who actually have them. This also makes it harder for people who live with these issues in getting help or being seen as others may dismiss their feelings or situations. Overuse and misrepresentation in media also play into this issue, as movies and media often portray mental illness in a fantasized or romanticized light. This leads to the masses who consume this media to generalize their view on people living with mental illness. While many people use terms without knowing the true definition or weight of them, to many other people, these terms are not just words 一 these things shape entire lives and ways someone sees the world. This may not be done with bad faith or malice, but apathy, inaction, and compliance are still a brand of harm in their own way. If we really want to support those living with mental illness, we need to work together in order to change.
Our words hold power 一 we must choose to never use them to belittle others, especially when it contributes to perpetuating a false narrative that harms marginalized sectors of our society. No matter your age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or cultural background, you are sure to experience your own unique struggle with your own mental well-being. Empathy and compassion are key factors in supporting and understanding others in general and should also be applied in the conversation of mental health struggles. To move forward, we have to educate ourselves and bring each other up instead of falling for tropes or judgements borne out of ignorance.
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