Why “Mental Health” Can Be Insulting to the Mentally Ill
There is a bone of contention in the mental health world. Well, OK, there are many, but one of them is the terms “mental illness” and “mental health.” It seems more politically correct these days to say “mental health” vs. “mental illness.”
For example, people have mental health conferences, not mental illness conferences. There are mental health policies, not mental illness policies. And so on. I guess it’s the glass half-full theory. Mental health is more positive than mental illness (and don’t get me started about the term “behavioural health”).
But there is a problem with this whole rosy-colored view. It completely ostracises and further stigmatizes people with a mental illness.
What is Mental Health?
“Mental health” is a general term that could be applied to so many things. The dictionary defines it as:
- Psychological well-being and satisfactory adjustment to society and to the ordinary demands of life.
- The field of medicine concerned with the maintenance or achievement of such well-being and adjustment.
So, um, well-being. So, like, dealing with a divorce, or an unsatisfactory job or feeling OK after stubbing your toe. Great. I really identify with that.
Does that at all sound like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder to you, because it doesn’t to me.
It’s sort of like focusing on “cell wellness” rather than cancer. You know, redonkulous.
“Mental Health” is Stigmatizing
And what, exactly, is so wrong with saying mental illness? I don’t have anything to be ashamed of any more than anyone else with an illness. By running away from that term we are further stigmatizing people with real mental illness.
The Fight between Mental Illness and Mental Health
So some advocates want the term “mental illness” back and, not surprisingly, I think they’re right. I think there’s nothing wrong with saying “mentally ill.” I think there’s nothing wrong with denoting a classification of people that really exist. I think there’s nothing wrong with admitting to the reality of mental illness. I think there’s nothing wrong with talking about mental illness. I think there’s nothing wrong with having it in the title of your conference. I see no need to put everything under the heading of “mental health” just so a few politically correct people feel better.
And what’s more, I don’t think public funding should exclusively go to “mental health.” That broad term can be applied to anything. I think that funding should go to mental illness. You know, helping the people who are sick. I’m sorry, but I think people who are working through a divorce or who are dealing with the stress of changing jobs can fend for themselves. I want to see money go to the people who can’t find housing, keep a job or even hold down a conversation because of mental illness. I don’t care about mental wellness; I care about helping people with mental illness.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not into people suffering, whether they are mentally ill or not, but I just believe that people without an illness are more equipped to solve problems on their own. I believe they are more equipped with friends and family and counsellors – things that are often sorely missing for people with a serious mental illness.
I’m not saying there aren’t times when the term “mental health” isn’t completely appropriate, because sometimes it certainly is, but what I’m saying is that the term “mental illness” needs to not be put in the corner because that’s not where we belong.
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waltinseattle - May 19, 2013 ←
the mental wellbeing continum has a sharp discontinuity that should be acknowledged. that discontinuity is Brain Disease, aka “severe mental illness (S.M.I.) which refers specifically to psychotic/delusional /halucinatory conditions: schizophrenia and bopolar! treating these populations like we treat those depressed over economic and relational problems is….medievel ! great artocle every “professional” should read.
Sandy - May 19, 2013 ←
Do you have a “e-newletter” sent out on email? I would love to read your posts on a regular basis without searching for your website or just plain forgetting to.
Sandy - May 19, 2013 ←
Never mind, I saw the box at the bottom of comment page about email.
Sandy - May 19, 2013 ←
Is it possible to delete a comment I’ve made?
Natasha Tracy - May 19, 2013 ←
Hi Sandy,
Not that I’m aware of. Is there something in particular you need removed?
- Natasha Tracy
Sandy - May 19, 2013 ←
My therapist told me last week, in fact, that my (our) brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s. Reminding me it’s not just psychological but a real illness. I can see the point of saying ‘mental illness’ because it’s a condition we have even when it’s “controlled” like a heart condition is just there even when it’s controlled. It’s treated not “cured”. Thanks.
Bob - April 13, 2013 ←
I check all of the anatomy books and could not locate the “mental”. I found the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver etc, but no mental. Are’t we really discussing a brain function disorder or illness?
John Morgan - April 12, 2013 ←
Natasha – I agree. Mental Illness is more appropriate. I like “brain diseases” even better. I don’t think our vocabulary should be dictated by political correctness or stereotypes. Another word I don’t like that is being used in the brain disease field is “recovery.” It was introduced by pharmaceutical companies a couple of years ago to tout their new schizophrenia drugs. Of course, we all know that recovery is linked to addiction. And schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. have nothing to do with addiction.
Chris Cardinal - April 11, 2013 ←
I actually believe it is less insulting to say mental health than mental illness. Does anyone have any other ideas? What would you call it?
will nist - February 2, 2013 ←
Injecting someone with an anti-psychotic against there will for one who only has depression because they are complaining about their being locked up against their will and inducing SEVERE akathesia is worse than death. Torture is what I call it.
will nist - February 2, 2013 ←
Let us get rid of mental health, mental illness and behavioral heath. Let us stop pretending the brain is not part of the body. How about neurological problems.
Margene - December 28, 2012 ←
Thanks for your article. I was just thinking that years ago when I needed help for my Schizophrenia. The Mental Health Clinic in my county was busy trying to reach immigrant families and not because they were mentally ill, but just because they were immigrant families. I don’t know what particular problem they may have thought they had. Sometimes people from immigrant families have the same problem other ones do, like drunk driving and domestic violence. We have a women’s shelter and we have a jail and the courts send drunk drivers to Mental Health for assessments. I usually never got in to Mental Health because it is like trying to get into Fort Knox. Whenever I got into trouble with the law it would be because a social worker tried to treat me like they do normal people (like crap) or I’d get into a fight (with someone looking for one). Then I would be ordered to seek out Mental Health care because the issue of my schizophrenia would come up. And the judge and lawyer would be like “Duh, why doesn’t she have a shrink?!” Duh, because they are helping immigrant families! And drunks! Finally, I said to my medical doctor a few years ago (originally diagnosed in 1989) since I’ve been on medication for 3-4 years: Can you as a medical doctor give me something for schizophrenia? Now, I seem to be doing much better. The first time I was given medication was in ’89 and they totally drugged me up and I felt like I was going to have a seizure. The Meds now are better. I have some advice for people that don’t have true mental illness. Just think: whatever you have as a normal person, I’ve had as a Mentally Ill woman with Schizophrenia. Being schizophrenic never insulated me from problems. I have had to pay my bills and go through a divorce and everything a normal person has had to deal with. Why don’t normal people just toughin up and go to their little groups? Do you think I am really welcome when I’ve had to go to a domestic violence group with my schizophrenia. I WILL NOT HIDE MY ILLNESS ANYMORE THAN THEY WOULD HIDE THEIRS. Guess what? If your husband beats you and you have to deal with it, try anything you are going through as a normal person BACKWARD IN HIGH HEELS SO TO SPEAK. Mental Health is a total copout for the gov. etc. The really sick people aren’t being taken care of because it is NOT EASY. They never should have dumped us out of our beds in the 1980′s and used “rights” as an excuse to be CHEAP. Most of the therapy I’ve had I had to find for myself by combing through books in the library. When I got my diagnosis they basically told me I was toast. They seem to be a little in denial that schizophrenics can actually do fairly well because I was once told that schizophrenics go downhill as they get older. That is because all the money is going to send American soldiers to die for oil. Oh, that could be the ravings of a crazy woman or it could be totally true.
Daniel Grønvold - November 21, 2012 ←
Well i guess its because the reason of mental problems is because of enviromental stressors. If your mind cant control whats going on around you you will react. And reacting is something we all do just in different ways. i guess thats why they call it mental health and not mental illness.
Resources To Recover - November 9, 2012 ←
It was interesting reading how some people relate the term “mental health” with “mental illness.” Thank you for clarifying the differences between them.
Rann Patterson - November 2, 2012 ←
I’m Editor of a Cancer site and survivor, so I understand physical ailments. I am 55 and have lived with chronic conditions related to side-effects from surgery and treatments since I was 26.
I also come from a generation whose parents generation put “mentally ill” people into institutions. I know this is horrible to hear. I am a Baby Boomer and my generation is large. Like me, they are having to “realign” their understanding to today’s truths. I understand pain. But I will admit that even though I have been to counseling- as you said Natasha- for divorce, etc., I am ignorant (just don’t know) a lot about this issue. But I want to learn.
“Mental Health” to me, is like an umbrella term. Like the guy said above, I had cancer, which would be classified, I guess under “disease”. And, with cancer, there are stages of severity, and each one is treated likewise. So I can see where your two terms have conflict.
Believe it or not, cancer survivors are running into problems with labels, I wrote an article about it this summer. It actually has the cancer community (especially breast cancer) quarreling. This shouldn’t be.
I do believe ignorance is a huge factor, and education and awareness about this issue should continue. But I can tell you two things that won’t help-
1. Anger will only bring division and more strife.
2. Censorship of certain words and phrases ( especially if pursued by law) will interfere with our Freedom of Speech.
Keep caring for and loving one another. And do continue this conversation. Just remember that just because someone is ignorant, doesn’t mean they don’t care- like me, they just need educating. Give people a chance.
My best, Rann Patterson
Editor Cancer site, BellaOnline.com
@RannPatterson
Butterflywings - November 1, 2012 ←
But we all have mental health. It’s a continuum. Just as physical health is. I don’t see the problem. In fact people need to realise we all have mental health – that idea is de-stigmatising.
Max - November 1, 2012 ←
Informative and I am glad I retweeted this article.
Lynn - October 10, 2012 ←
If funding streams are being diverted from people who most need it, to go instead to generic mental health funding for the benefit of everyone, then I agree there’s a problem. However, I’m not sure that’s what’s happening with the talk about mental health. I haven’t seen that to be the case, anyway. Seems to me it’s the folks and organizations that ARE dedicated to serving people with serious mental illness who are now using terms like “mental health” and “wellness” and “recovery” and “consumer.” (To name a few examples.) And it also seems to me that they have adopted this language in part because a significant portion of people who have mental illness, or have been through many many treatments for mental illness, have stood up and said they prefer language about mental health and wellness and recovery.
As someone who experiences repeated bouts of hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and that black pressure that makes me feel like I am falling in a hole and will never stop falling… I suppose I fit the diagnostic criteria for major depression–sometimes in remission, sometimes not. However, my official label is bipolar II. I don’t think the bipolar II label is correct, I think it was shoving me (square peg) into a preconceived idea (round hole) my original diagnosing pscyhiatrist had at the time. And that’s the thing: the DSM is so unscientific, that stuff can and does happen. And if the psych industry can get the foundation wrong (diagnosis), they can get a lot of other stuff wrong, too. For example, even though I’d still be willing to say I fit diagnostic criteria for major depression, I’m not so willing anymore to identify it as an illness. Even less willing to identify it as a brain disorder. And particularly unwilling to say meds are necessary in MY own case, as I’ve found over the years that the more I work to get through the bouts without meds, the further I go in life. I find the moe I focus on things like wellness and health, and the less I focus on disease and symptoms, the more my life improves.
Does all of that mean I never had mental illness? And wasn’t worthy of help? Maybe. But then… I really did attempt suicide. I really do get these black periods, still. I really do struggle to get out of bed in the mornings for months at a time.
I also really do believe focusing on what I CAN do, to improve my life, to move forward, is what saved me.
Where do I fit, in this paradigm?
John Grohol - October 10, 2012 ←
“As a writer I take claim to any and all words. They are mine and I do with them as I please. This includes mental illness / mental health terms.” – Natasha Tracy
So I agree with your statement here, and suggest that different people use a different set of terms based upon their own experiences, background, and understanding of what constitutes mental disorders (their official terminology in the world of psychology and psychiatry).
I don’t like to use the phrase “mental illness” as much as other terms because it suggests that all mental disorders are just like medical diseases — with a straightforward medical cause (e.g., “brain chemical imbalance”) and so therefore they must also have a straightforward treatment.
Words are indeed powerful. But it’s extremely difficult to change people’s connotations associated with specific words that have pre-existing definitions and uses. So for me, the word “mental” does not fit well with the word “illness.” It is just too complex for that phrase to make sense (again, just to me).
That’s why I believe it is each writer’s right — as you so eloquently state here: http://natashatracy.com/writing/mental-illness-words-can%E2%80%99t/ — to be at liberty to choose the phrase or set of words they are most comfortable using. I would never imagine to be able to speak for others or to demand others conform to my way of thinking on these sorts of issues, because there are only shades of gray, no black or whites.
Best,
John
Natasha Tracy - October 10, 2012 ←
Hi John,
Thanks for commenting.
I agree, there are only shades of grey. There are terms I like more or less and I use terms I like more or less depending on the audience. For my money I like “brain disorder” as opposed to mental illness as I feel mentally fine, it’s my brain that’s a little itchy. But that’s me. I live inside the brain so I have a certain perspective..
But seeing as others don’t tend to use “brain disorder” I use what communicates most effectively, to my mind, at the moment. And yes, it’s all shrouded in grey.
- Natasha Tracy
Steve Ellis, LMSW - October 9, 2012 ←
Okay, so I personally have depression and PTSD. Professionally I am a social worker that prefers to work with seriously mentally ill adults. My Dad and Grandad both took their own lives (suicide). What I want is the same DE-stigmatization that cancer, heart attacks and other maladies have experienced. I am much less worried about how we say it (call the PC police) than I am about getting this discussion to go public. VERY PUBLIC! I am NOT broken but, like so many others, I can sure find myself struggling at times from my symptoms. It would be ever so nice if my challenges were viewed not unlike people with spinal injuries or Parkinsons or some other life-altering consideration. I and my clients (used to be patients but somehow “clients” is less pejorative) are just working with the hand that we were dealt.
I appreciate the desire to be considerate and find non-negative terminology but, to me, that’s like worrying about how the parsley was placed on your dinner plate. Language is NOT THE ISSUE – ignorance, misconception and historical (or hysterical) superstition IS! I want more than the “cause du jour” that PROZAC NATION or GIRL INTERRUPTED generates. I want the average person to have a basic understanding of what mental illness is so that they can be supporters and helpers. As one of my clients said to me years ago: “My depression is a diagnosis, it is not my destiny.”
I’m just asking that we put our energies into shattering the myths and half-truths that pervade the average person’s perception of mental illness. And yes, my depression and PTSD are examples of mental illness NOT mental health. I can achieve a very healthy balance in my life and still have to deal with the symptoms of my mentally illness. Unlike many physiological diseases my mental illness responds well to treatment and I am thankful my challenges are remediable (even if they are recurring).
It is time to be as open and proud as our brothers and sisters fighting cancer are. To make our collective struggles public and to change the social perceptions of mental illness. Together we cannot be denied. I refuse to be ashamed of myself or my clients.
Thank you for an opportunity to express my opinion.
Barb Hildebrand - October 9, 2012 ←
Hi Natasha!
Another outstanding article :). I was questioned on my page Suicide Shatters about how did “illness” enter the picture when it’s World Mental Health Awareness Week. I myself have no issue with the term illness, but know there’s an entire community out there working diligently to say it is not politically correct.
I’m always very aware and conscious of what language I use around mental illness, but personally feel it is an illness and until people get educated on that fact, the stigma continues.
I’m going to share this article with my members and will also cite it in my reply to my member who took issue with the “illness” term. So much effort is wasted on being PC, whereas as I responded to my member, talking about mental “health” or “illness” is a good thing as far as I’m concerned, considering as it educates, raises awareness and hopefully makes a difference and dispels some of the stigma.
I cited another excellent post where the author of a HuffPost article, Marvin Ross, so eloquently explained why he, and I happen to agree, prefers “illness”. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marvin-ross/mental-illness-week_b_1922558.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=1805121,b=facebook
Keep up the great work!
Sandra - October 9, 2012 ←
I suffer from Depression and yes, I do suffer from it. I also suffer from other people’s lack of understanding of what that means. Most people think I’m just sad and a good day out will cheer me up. When you say you are Mentally Ill people think you are insane and want to check your purse for a weapon or suddenly have to be somewhere else, anywhere. As long as it is a safe distance from you! Like most things different, it is not so much the language, it is the lack of awareness that causes the stigma.
Natasha Tracy - October 10, 2012 ←
Hi Sandra,
Oh yes, I do agree with you. People call stigma, not words. It’s more a war in the mental illness community itself then in the population overall.
- Natasha Tracy
Wondermare - October 8, 2012 ←
This makes perfect sense to me and is actually very liberating. I have a serious mental illness. Let’s not bandy with our words. It’s not that I have an “issue” with my mental health. I am not mentally healthy. I have a serious mental illness.
These words are very, very freeing. And comforting. Thank you.
Natasha Tracy - October 10, 2012 ←
Hi Wondermare,
Great comment, thanks. Sometimes words, or more importantly, ideas, can set us free.
- Natasha Tracy
JulieC - October 7, 2012 ←
You know how in the gay rights movement you have the contingent that finally stepped up and said, “We’re here. We’re queer. Get used to it”?
The problem with battles over terminology as a way to fight stigma, and a whole lot of different issues and disabilities and peoples have had battles over terminology as they’ve battled stigma, is that whatever you change the terminology to, the stigma follows and gradually smears off onto the new words.
The only real cure for stigma is to straighten up proudly wherever you are and say, “We’re here; we’re human beings with human dignity. Take your stigma, fold it until it’s all sharp corners and shove it up your assumptions.”
That’s the only thing that ever gets rid of stigma. Ever. You have to stand up with your face bare to it and stare it down.
The only force that defeats stigma is enough light to make it ashamed of itself.
It’s not as pithy as the protest chant, but facing “them” down is the point. It’s not the terminology-wrangling that cures stigma.
Natasha Tracy - October 8, 2012 ←
Hi Julie,
Great, great comment and so well said. Not surprisingly, I agree. It’s _not_ about words, it’s about standing up. Words don’t hurt people, people hurt people (if you will).
I don’t need a pithy slogan, personally, but we could go with “we’re here, we’re crazy, get used to it.”
Yes, some people would be offended, but then, I never much cared for the word “queer” myself. Besides, it makes me smile.
- Natasha Tracy
Nicole - October 7, 2012 ←
I’ve nominated you for an “award” since you write on of my favorite blogs. By no means will I be offended if you don’t “follow the rules” or link back to my blog. I just appreciated the kind word when I got it and wanted to make sure you knew I appreciated your blog and enjoy reading it.
http://ridingthewavez.wordpress.com/2012/10/07/an-encouraging-word/
Natasha Tracy - October 8, 2012 ←
Hi Nicole,
As you suggested, I won’t be “following the rules” as I don’t for that sort of thing, but I would like to take a moment to say thank-you. Whenever someone reads my blog I’m thankful for their eyeballs and taking a moment to tell me they like it or appreciate it is always welcome.
So thanks. I lap up your kind words and remember that’s why I do this. Not for the words, but for the people.
- Natasha Tracy
Trevor - October 6, 2012 ←
I think the term ‘mental health’ does take the sting away from ‘mental illness’, but that only for what I call ‘the normies’. If they don’t call it an illness, then we’re suddenly not sick, suddenly not suffering, and we’re suddenly back to the days of ‘suck it up’, ‘happy up, and ‘it’s all in your head’.
I liken mental illness to cancer. Although it may offend some people, it’s a somewhat easy comparison everyone can instantly relate to. There’s no cure, we have relapses, we’re usually seeing multiple doctors, and on medication for the rest of our lives.
Mental Health isakin to calling an 85 year old man ’85 years young’. He’s not young, we’re just trying to take the sting out of the word ‘old’. Old is a fact just as illness is a fact. Simply changing the wording doesn’t suddenly make us all cured inasmuch as calling the man young turns back time.
suzanne - October 4, 2012 ←
This is kind of going off point, or maybe one step further. But I had a very long standing argument with my psychiatrist about “disability.” He refused to say I was disabled. He knew I wouldn’t get disability if I applied for it. He also feared that I would think of myself as disabled. But you know what, I am disabled. I have major depression, anxiety, PTSD, & chronic physical issues possibly caused by my mental state. He didn’t understand that I wanted someone to say “yes, you have problems that effect you daily & make it difficult to function.” It would have validated my illnesses & how hard it can be for me to get by. It also fed on the way I was raised, smile & you’ll feel better. It’s not as bad as you think. Ha, yeah tell that to the cuts on my arm.
eventually he did relent & agreed that if I applied for disability he would not say I want disabled. Turns out I’m not eligible anyway. (I stayed with him because he was good with meds)
I do agree that there is a problem with mental illness vs mental health & labels in general. Some people go label overboard. I have this, this, this, this… and these labels define them. Recently I was trying to help a bipolar friend by explaining to her that she wasn’t “Bipolar ‘Susan’” she’s “Susan” who has bipolar.
Anyway, hopefully we can get to a state where mental illness isn’t “bad” or “all in our heads” or something that just diet & exercise can fix.
Natasha Tracy - October 6, 2012 ←
Hi Suzanne,
Just to let you know, I’ve written about bipolar as a disability and I agree with you:
http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2012/01/mental-illness-as-a-disability/
It’s other people’s problems when they refuse to admit to reality.
- Natasha Tracy
ta bby - October 3, 2012 ←
I do not call myself “a bipolar” or “a depressive” or “a traumatic disorderly”, which, by the way would be somewhat what one would be called who suffers with PTSD… I mean really, if I have Bipolar and folks call me “a Bipolar” and I have PTSD (which I do) then I should also be called “a post-traumatic disorderly”.
Labels are labels and a means for humans to peg each other.
In the mental health world that I both live and work within… patients are not called, “patients”. We are called “consumers” or “clients” or “recipients” or “beneficiaries” or “individuals”.
I, and 2 fellow co-workers, just today noted that it made it seem like we had a choice to obtain help. Much like we could pick and choose a piece of furniture, or a car, browse a video, or hire a lawyer.
When you are poor, I mean really poor or without many financial resources and therefore the choices of WHO you go to for help are extremely limited… when you have little to no choice and if you want help, you want to get better, you want to engage in treatment cause you know it’s what is needed for your life… THAT, to be called a “consumer”, is insulting… about as bad as “recipient” or “beneficiary”.
At least… it is… to me.
tabby - October 5, 2012 ←
thought on this some more… to be a person who has mental illness and to seek out a professional to assist you in the treatment and relief of said mental dysfunctioning.. to be called “a consumer” or “a client” or a “recipient of service” or a “beneficiary of services” (like you just won an inheritance or something)… really does gall me
when I seek assistance and treatment for my degenerative osteoarthritis or my partial complex seizure disorder.. and i see an MD, or NP, or PA, or even just the RN taking my vitals at time of visit… I AM A PATIENT… not a consumer of products, a client of the firm, a recipient of services provided or an inherited beneficiary of goods
I AM A PATIENT
so, why when I do seek treatment and assistance from an MD specializing in Psychiatry, or a NP, or a PA, or a Psych RN, or the PhD or the LCSW… am I any less and/or different JUST because it’s “mental”? Oh, that’s right… “mental” is still not equitable to “medical” and whereas visiting a MD specializing in Rheumatology for Arthritis lends me to be called a “patient”… visiting a MD specializing in “mental”, lends me to be a purveyor and consumer of his/her specialized goods
just galls me…
Natasha Tracy - October 6, 2012 ←
Hi Tabby,
I don’t blame you for being galled. I think “consumer” and whatnot to silly too. But basically, people’s hearts are in the right place. They’re trying to make people feel more empowered. Personally, I don’t think it does that, but that is the idea.
Yup, we are patients, like it or not, and I see no problem admitting that. Reality. I can deal with it. It’s a shame others can’t.
- Natasha Tracy
John Morgan - October 3, 2012 ←
I don’t like the term mental or illness. Mental refers to thought processes, which has nothing to do with these diseases, and in my opinion adds to the stigma. The term illness puts them on the same level as a sore throat, which certainly can’t be true because they are the second leading cause of death in the United States. I suggest that these “illnesses” be given the prioity they deserve and be called brain diseases. They are no less serious than any other found in the field of medicine, including heart disease.
I also wince when I hear people say “he is bipolar.” I’m not bipolar. I have bipolar disease. But it doesn’t define who I am. I wouldn’t say “oh, she is cancer.”
John Morgan
Bipolar I, 20 years.
Malika Bourne - October 2, 2012 ←
thanks for sharing. Your point of view will give me something to ponder. I have issues with an older person spending time in a geriatric BEHAVIOR UNIT. SOUNDS LIKE ALL THE OLD PEOPLE GET A TIME OUT IN THE NAUGHTY CHAIR.
Well, what ever word”they” choice to use to sound polite is far better than NO one talking at all or whispering behind backs. How about suddenly talking slow and loud so the person with a diagnosis from the DMS is suddenly mentally slow.?
There is nothing ideal about having a diagnosis of a mental health issue. It think it is worse to have families in denial for family member who need help and family support. Except those families put up a front and refuse to educate themselves because of old myths they choose to believe.
Shauna Smith - October 2, 2012 ←
Amen, I fully agree with you. I hate the mental health being assigned to a mental illness. The stigma would not be worsened if they called it what it is.. an illness. Just like any other illness ie diabetes, cancer etc. It not taboo to say I have cancer so what the heck is wrong with I have bipolar disorder etc. To me its all the same and it is high time we educate the public. I am not ashamed of having bipolar disorder than I was having my gall bladder fail.
Thank you for being outspoken and helping to reduce the stigma,
Shauna
Cate - October 2, 2012 ←
This is a really interesting one and I’m not sure there is an easy answer, except to do anything that avoids stigma being re-inforced. A few months ago I observed people of a mental health group in my country expressing disgust that depression was being recommended as the topic of focus for World Mental Health Day. Apparently it was too negative. Naturally a blog post followed from me, with a copy to the organisation. Interestingly I received no reply.
Beyond that though I look at myself and I have a mental illness which I am completely open about, and I’m not going to run from that term because it is factual. That said, I think for me (and I’m not generalizing here) it is possible for me to achieve mental health inspite of my mental illness. Sounds a bit weird, but if I can manage my symptoms and function well while still having the mental illness, I calll that mental health for me. So I’m inclined to say that there is definitely room for both terms. It would just be helpful to us all if mental illness didn’t carry quite the stigma attached, although part of fighting that stigma for me is continuing to admit that I have a mental illness.
Monica - October 2, 2012 ←
We have been working with my son about saying my mom has a mental illness, or my mom is bipolar, Not my mommy takes Crazy Pills. Crazy Pills was cute at 3, not at 8. Somebody told him no, he should say she had mental health problems. He said No, mental health problem was when his normally laid bad dad looses his temper with his brother. He is healthy but sometimes has problems. His Mommy is ill, she can’t work, she has to take medicine every day, and even then sometimes she doesn’t act right. It’s not like her brain just has a cold.
I love that he understands me so well, but hate that he has to at his age.
Paul Komarek - October 2, 2012 ←
I’m not too worried about the mental/emotional/behavioral health/illness/wellness issue. Whatever term we pick can end up being stigmatizing, as long as stigma, shame, and a sense of differentness is in people’s hearts. All of the vocabulary can turn bad.
These days I’m reacting to the phrase “those with” which I see as dehumanizing. I can really feel the writer’s awkward pity dripping out. I’ve been spotting a lot of “those with” language in communications from one of our advocacy groups. And “special needs kids” gets to me too. They are kids with disabilities. Or rambunctious, or eccentric, or just whoever they are.
Anyway, I do favor a more in-your-face style, so I use “mental illness” in my book and blog titles. We must use medical terms if we are writing about the medical classification system, or coming to terms with it.
Still, I had a conversation this morning with a friend who’s been out of touch for a while. She was talking about how her alternative treatments weren’t helping her anxiety, and her therapist had helped her decide to go back on medication, which saved her a trip back to the hospital. But even after this conversation, I don’t think of my friend as a “person with” anything. She’s my friend. She’s a schoolteacher. She’s a mom. She looks after her health.
–pk—
Natasha Tracy - October 5, 2012 ←
Hi Paul,
As a person who writes for multiple sites, I can tell you that saying “those with bipolar” (for example) is just something we have to say. It’s not necessarily indicative of pity. Not to mention the fact that when I’m writing I do use more than one phrase to represent the same thing to avoid absolute repetition.
Nevertheless, I can understand certain phrases getting on your nerves as some do me. But I make allowances sometimes, depending on what I’m doing, so as not to offend others because if people are too offended, the message of the piece gets lost.
- Natasha Tracy
Paul Komarek - October 9, 2012 ←
Those who write as well as you do are forgiven (including you).
Is it wise to build an identity focused on illness? Fear and illness and sickness are overtly shaming and stigmatizing for many people. It’s our talents and gifts and other capacities that help us move forward in our lives. I think it’s reasonable to want to move our frame of reference from mental illness to mental health.
This leads to a related controversy we sometimes see over who is “deserving to be served” by our tapped-out healthcare systems. Some advocates say they want to focus funding on people with “severe” mental illness yet count everyone with “diagnosable” mental illness when they talk about prevalence.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great service to know how to cope with a symptom or work through a problem. But I like the change of focus to health.
Natasha Tracy - October 10, 2012 ←
Hi Paul,
I can respect that.
I would just like to say though that just because one says one has a mental illness that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with their identity, per se. That’s just one piece of me. It’s like saying “I’m a redhead.” That’s not an identity it’s just one thing about me.
People mistake admitting to an illness as making some kind of statement about life as a whole, but this just isn’t the case. I can be any one of many things and that doesn’t negate any of the rest. We’re all multi-faceted human beings.
- Natasha Tracy
Joseph M. Bowers - October 2, 2012 ←
I couldn’t agree more. Great piece! Well said!
David - October 2, 2012 ←
They could call it Whoopsie Doddle for all I care. I know what I have (Bipolar II with the added bonus of rapid cycling) and I’d much rather deal with it head on than have healthcare providers try and sugar coat it.
Thankfully I have a psychiatrist and therapist who both are fond of starting sentences with ‘you have a serious mental illness…..’
Natasha Tracy - October 5, 2012 ←
Hi David,
I agree but if they called it “Whoopsie Doodle” it’s be a lot funnier. Bipolar doesn’t sound funny at all. Maybe you should put that up for a vote.
- Natasha Tracy
Sarah - October 1, 2012 ←
ï’m sorry -is my illness making you uncomfortable? Okay I’ll go and hide in a dark cave somewhere. Oh you think pilates will be good for my mental health? Okay I’ll come to your class and afterwards we can have coffee and I’ll snap out of it. I’m sorry if I was weirding you out earlier – must have been something I ate.”
Mental illness is not PC full stop. We people must snap out of it soon or become social outcasts.
Redunkulous.
Butterflywings - October 1, 2012 ←
Depression is NOT analogous to a cold. It can be very serious. Mood disorders are not necessarily less serious than psychosis.
I agree, although yes there is a place for pointing out that everyone has mental health just like we do physical health, at times it is appropriate to refer to mental health – especially when as the first commenter said, even the so-called professionals won’t use the term mental illness!
Natasha Tracy - October 3, 2012 ←
Hi Butterflywings,
I’m not sure why you’re pointing out that depression isn’t a cold. Did someone say that? I didn’t. I have specifically said that there is no “worst” mental illness and really the “worst” one is the one you have: http://natashatracy.com/bipolar-disorder/whats-worst-mental-illness/
- Natasha Tracy
JulieC - October 1, 2012 ←
Several times when I was initially coming to terms with my diagnosis I mentioned to care providers that it was difficult facing the reality of having a lifelong mental illness and being mentally ill.
More than one of them winced and said, “Well, I don’t know if you should actually so much think of it as *mentally ill*…..”
I have bipolar disorder type II. That is what I’d just been diagnosed with. It is, of course, a lifelong diagnosis. As you all know, treatable but not curable. Yes, definitively, mentally ill is me. I have a mental illness. I and others more or less like me are the face of the mentally ill in modern America. Deal with it.
Stigma much that even my *care providers* blanched at saying “mental illness” and “mentally ill”?
Yeah, I find it pretty insulting that they can’t just call it what it is. It’s a heavily genetically-influenced disorder that may or may have other input-causes but I certainly didn’t ask to get it, it’s not my fault, I can’t make it go away, and as long as I’m seeing care providers with the relevant qualifications, making and keeping appointments, complying with and cooperating with a program of treatment, and taking my meds when and as prescribed—get the hell off my back.
Ya know?
Of course you do. You do the same thing, more or less, as best you can face when you look at the inside of your eyelids every morning and try to decide if you can face prying your eyelids open with a crowbar that day and trying again, or wonder whether anyone would really notice this morning if you just eel down on your back so that the covers close over your head like water. Maybe just kinda give the whole “today” thing a miss.
Doesn’t matter what you did yesterday. Every morning, there you are, there’s the morning light, and there’s the inside of your eyelids and The Decision. Heck, you may even make it a few dozen times that morning.
Or you have your own little rituals of fighting your way through the days.
But honestly–to have providers wince and tell me that they wouldn’t exactly say I’m “mentally ill”–when I have bipolar (II) disorder, and they know it. Um…they are not succeeding at making me feel *less* like a freak by finding my fate too awful to face like the calm, competent professionals in the field they are supposed to be.. Gee, thanks, guys.
Natasha Tracy - October 3, 2012 ←
Hi JulieC,
I, of course, agree with you. I don’t believe in running away from terminology. But, in defence of the doctors, I suspect they have your best interest at heart. Some people believe (and I think there’s literature on it) that the words we choose to express ourselves effects how we think of ourselves.
So if we say we are mentally ill that means we think of ourselves as the “sick” being.
Of course, I say falderall. I’m quite capable of speaking and thinking of myself in ways that are appropriate and I don’t think that there’s some subconscious problem with saying that I’m ill. I am. If I can deal with that, I don’t see the problem.
- Natasha Tracy
Boab - October 1, 2012 ←
People need to understand we all have mental health in the same way we all have (for want of a better word) physical health. Not everyone has mental illness or physical illness but as with all health, it can go wrong, be that a cold, cancer, depression or schizophrenia.
I agree that using an all round term such as mental health, especially for funding purposes , doesn’t ring fence the money where it is needed most in the area of mental illness.