1. DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01069-4 . In our daily lives as well as in our professional roles, our word choices alter moods, self-perception, cognitive processing and affects our physical and mental well-being. When speaking with someone living with a mental health condition the language you use must be respectful and accepting. One of the most important strategies that can be used to overcome stigma in all circles is to change the way mental health and substance use disorders are discussed. An important example is suicide. Negative Mental Illness Terms: Think Before You Speak. We use cookies to enhance your experience. It's a point that Dr. Lauren Harb, a clinical psychologist at Silver Lake Psychotherapy previously explained on Girlboss like this: "People often use 'bipolar' to describe someone who has a mood swing or a change of mind, or they say 'I'm OCD' to . By Jordyn Taylor. Like most things, there are of course two sides to this coin. On one side are the people calling for more sensitive language and on the other are those calling for freedom of speech, declaring that policing language is . This would in turn improve the way people with these conditions are treated in health care . There have to be other ways to describe stuff that don't use derogatory terms. As more people talk about their mental health, the language we use about mental health is changing. And they are clearly inappropriate. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of stigma in relation to treatment avoidance in 14 year-old school students in England in relation to how they refer to people with mental illness. WHAT: In a perspective published in Neuropsychopharmacology, leaders from the National Institutes of Health address how using appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction can help to reduce stigma and improve how people with these conditions are treated in health care settings and throughout society.The authors define stigma as negative attitudes toward people that are based . This can have a positive impact on the stigma of mental ill-health. And, perhaps more importantly, the words the media use to describe mental health greatly impact the public's perceptions. by BPD News | Jul 25, 2021 More than a decade of research has shown that stigma contributes significantly to negative health outcomes and can pose a barrier to seeking treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders. But there are also terms that are used that many people may not know could be offensive. To find out more go to Media outlets have been mindful of how they report on suicide . There has been a significant move toward progress here. The following is a list of terms, used to describe disabilities or people with disabilities, which may carry negative connotations or be offensive to people with or without disabilities.. The Power of Language about Mental Health "The difference between the Providers' words can be harmful, or healing and we need to pay attention to what we say. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages. One reason for this is the language used to describe mental illness and addiction or those who are affected by it. The words we choose and the meanings we attach to them influence our decisions, beliefs, and well-being. To describe the experience of mental illness, respondents used "suffering," "dealing," "hurting" and "struggling," words that appeared infrequently or not at all in the articles. Each one of us can contribute to ending the stigma attached to mental health issues just by being conscious of the language we use and by being aware of the impact of our words in perpetuating the stigmas. The Power of Language about Mental Health "The difference between the Historically, mental illness was described as "madness," "insanity," and "lunacy" [1]. Myths and misconceptions about mental illness add to stigma and make life harder for the people affected. One is . For some people who use substances, regular use can become a problem leading to harm and even substance use disorders or addiction. The mental health profession, while working to extinguish the stigma surrounding psychological struggles, seems to be unaware of the damaging effect of the words used to describe mental health . May 7, 2015 • By GoodTherapy.org Staff. The mental health profession, while working to extinguish the stigma surrounding psychological struggles, seems to be unaware of the damaging effect of the words used to describe mental health . Don't use mental health words as adjectives. One in 24 adults has a serious mental illness. Mental health issues and substance use disorders are very often misunderstood. use substances occasionally, others use more regularly. There are generally two reasons for eliminating mental illness terms from your common everyday vocabulary. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A substance use disorder is a health condition. Start an open, respectful conversation about why some words can be negative and hurtful. Do: focus on the person, not the mental health condition; use language that is easy to understand Myth: mental illness is a life sentence You commit a crime or you commit a sin. December 18, 2017 Why Language Matters when it comes to Mental Health… "This is a CATASTROPHE / DISASTER / NIGHTMARE!" "That makes me so DEPRESSED / ANXIOUS / SAD…" "I can't COPE!" "This is IMPOSSIBLE / I CAN'T do this…" "I'm so ILL / SICK / KNACKERED / TIRED…" "This is RIDICULOUS / OUTRAGEOUS!" "I don't BELIEVE it…" "I SHOULD be able to do this…" Background: Mental capacity legislation in the UK is designed to safeguard the rights of people who may need support, or may be unable, to make autonomous decisions. Following repeated experiences of stigma, it can be internalized, which can exacerbate issues with mental health and substances. Choosing Appropriate Language to Reduce the Stigma Around Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation's medical research agency. It is more common than homicide. One in 12 has a substance use disorder. Studies on stigma find many people still hold negative views of mental illness, according to the APA. The messages you give need to be clear, positive and show that you see that person as an individual. This demonstrates the ineffective and unreliable . Time To Change has shared a set of guidelines for journalists which are also useful for members of the public . I looked closely at the information presented and noted the language used to describe mental health problems among African Americans. Want to learn more about the language that describes the mental illness that affects more than 264 million people globally? Talking about mental health Talking about mental health. In the today's world, people tend to say phrases that may be hurtful; many times, without even thinking about it. The good news is, learning to override those negative thoughts with positive words of encouragement can be a key factor in surviving - nay, thriving - when you have a mental illness.. The two statements are almost identical, save for the language used to reference mental illness. The Language of Madness - Between Three Trees The Language of Madness In her book An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison discusses the language we as a society use to describe mental illness and some of the negative effects this kind of vocabulary can have for those who suffer from these afflictions. Do not use the words mad or crazy to describe somebody who is suffering from a mental illness. Research by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy shows the loaded words used to describe drug addiction, such as "clean" vs. "dirty," can actually drive people away from getting help, The Huffington Post reported in March. lovelihood, CC-BY, via flickr Terms Used to Describe Mental Illness We have all heard derogatory terms used to describe someone who has "mental illness." Here are a few to jog your memory: Cuckoo Mad as a hatter Screwy - having a screw loose Bananas Loopy Crackers Wacko (whacko) Loony Nuts Freak Crazy Weirdo Sometimes, these phrases target specific populations - like those struggling with mental illness. the words used to talk about mental health and people with mental health conditions. The term "borderline personality disorder," a more contemporary example, suggests someone who is marginal in quality of character or . According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), one in 5 US adults faces the reality of living with a mental health condition, every year. They hold those views despite knowing mental illness is a medical condition requiring treatment. I have experienced mental health issues since the age of 14. While we all have different ways of talking about our mental health, some words and phrases are more respectful and widely accepted than others. Goodrich, J. However, our method has given a clear account of the full range of language used by young people when referring to mental illness which would be difficult otherwise to ascertain and so this study can be used as a benchmark for future research. We often say that someone has "committed suicide". The language used to describe mental health and the people struggling with it makes a difference in the way these issues are perceived. Words Matter: Appropriate Language To Describe Mental Illness Can Reduce Stigma And Improve Outcomes. Let us watch our words, let us be mindful of the language we . In my goal to better understand the intersection of mental health and employee experience, I am reminded that mental health language is an important . I jotted down the terms used to describe mental health problems and disorders and the ways of addressing them (see Table 1). Terms used to describe mental health are important. Using certain language to describe or talk about mental health conditions issues can alienate people if it sensationalizes the condition, labels a person by their condition mental illness, or trivializes it, according to Everymind. When it comes to mental health and mental illness, language can be a very tricky landscape to navigate. In classifying a person's IQ in the early 20th century, the original Stanford-Binet test. Far fewer (e.g., people living with autism or deafness) use identity-first language.2 It can have powerful consequences. A new portrait project featuring people who have mental health issues aims to make us think again about the language we choose When Jade took a day off work with depression, her employer insisted she tell colleagues she had a stomach bug instead of a mental health problem, lest people got "the wrong idea" about her. Stigmatizing language is one of the many barriers to seeking treatment for a substance use or mental health disorder, as many individuals do not want to be "labeled.". "The language of belittling it, just putting 'mental health issues' in quotes, that's super problematic because it's making a serious issue. Use the following guidelines and terms to appropriately write about mental illness and substance use disorders and those who experience them. Words can convey negative or positive values. Mental illnesses and their effects are not in our control but our language is. These are all insults that are unfairly used when describing someone living with a mental illness. (2009) Exploring the wide range of terminology used to describe care that focuses on the patient.Nursing Times; 105: 20, early online publication.. Background: During the planning phase of The King's Fund's The Point of Care programme, we undertook a literature review, starting with the term 'patient-centred care'. We have a choice in the words we use to describe ourselves, others, and the world around us. First, our method of data collection may be described as over-simplistic. The survey gathered data from members of a large African American church in the Midwest. In the context of mental illness, mental health and wellbeing, negative words can be experienced as patronising, derogatory, isolating, embarrassing, categorising, demeaning, inferior, insulting, demoralising, excluding and stigmatising. We soon discovered the term not only had . WHAT: In a perspective published in Neuropsychopharmacology, leaders from the National Institutes of Health address how using appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction can help to reduce stigma and improve how people with these conditions are treated in health care settings and throughout society.The authors define stigma as negative attitudes toward people that are based . Let us watch our words, let us be mindful of the language we . It's Time To Stop Using These Phrases When It Comes To Mental Illness. ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. You can say that somebody has a mental illness, has mental health issues/ problems or is mentally ill:. Language matters in mental health. Usage of appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction may help in reducing the stigma. In a perspective published in Neuropsychopharmacology, leaders from the National Institutes of Health address how using appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction can help to reduce stigma and improve how people with these conditions are treated in health care settings and throughout society. Mental Health Matters: 8 Stigmatizing Phrases to Stop Using. Some people consider it best to use person-first language, for example "a person with a disability" rather than "a disabled person." However identity-first language, as in "autistic person" or "Deaf person . In the words of J.K. Rowling's Albus Dumbledore, "Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our . Abstract. Therapists aware of the different language people use to describe emotional distress and mental health concerns can help make quality care accessible to all. The stigma against people with mental illness is a major barrier to help-seeking in young people for mental health problems. Each one of us can contribute to ending the stigma attached to mental health issues just by being conscious of the language we use and by being aware of the impact of our words in perpetuating the stigmas. One in 25 has a serious mental disorder—defined as one that severely interferes with the ability to carry out daily life—and one in 12 has a substance use disorder. The vocabulary to depict mental health is extremely limited in English, so let's take a look at which words we can borrow from other languages! Do: focus on the person, not the mental health condition; use language that is easy to understand Stigma is often defined . Which Word? By continuing to browse this site you agree to our use of cookies. You just can't do that anymore. It is vital that words are used that convey hope and optimism, and The language we use to talk about mental health is especially important. The language used to describe mental health Positives and negatives of a mental health diagnosis Alternatives to the medical model of diagnosis Clinical Practice Discussion Mental health NT JOURNAL CLUB Use this article for a journal club discussion with colleagues. The language we use when talking and writing about mental health is equally important. The label of mental illness is used to deal with behaviour that is disruptive. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as one in five . The use of mental health language to describe every day, and sometimes undesirable, behaviors trivialize and stigmatize the real-life experience of people living with a mental health disorder. Ways to describe your mental health or helps others to understand your mental illness. Speaking Depression: A Glossary of Terms Used to Describe the Disorder. The Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) developed the Recovery Oriented Language Guide in 2013 because language matters in all aspects of life. By consciously using the word "person," person-first language humanizes its subjects, combatting the otherization that occurs when someone's mental health becomes the way they are defined.. Busting myths and addressing stigma Mental illness is common, but it is still often misunderstood. There can be a stigma surrounding many healthcare terms, especially those used when discussing mental health. 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