By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
I live in the St. Louis area, and have seen someone’s t-shirt read “I have OCD obsessive cardinals disorder.” This is just one example of how a serious mental illness is used in a joking manner.
Other examples include:
“I’m so OCD”
“I have PTSD from that”
“you’re so mental”
“he’s a narcissist”
“she’s so bipolar”
Using mental health diagnoses as slang is harmful to those who are diagnosed with these mental illnesses. It also spreads misinformation about the diagnosis and what it can look like. Using these labels incorrectly, as slang, or cruel humor, continues to encourage stigma around mental health. Without knowing it, you may tell those around you that you are not a safe person to go to if they needed to talk about their struggles. Remember that our language matters and impacts others.
In order to fight stigma around mental illness, we need to normalize that our brains are wired differently and can get “sick.” Everyone’s neurological experience is different. When we talk about mental health acceptedly, we allow honest and vulnerable conversation, education and normalization.
Other phases you could you use:
“_____ bothers me” or “I can be really particular about _____”
“_____ was a painful time for me” or “_____ left an impact on me”
“he’s s self-serving a**hole”
“her mood changed quickly and felt confusing”
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health Sonder is now accepting new clients. Call or e-mail today!