Words about mental health can stigmatize
Earlier this year, the "Journal of Abnormal Psychology" announced a change to its name because, as its editor in chief Angus MacDonald III wrote , "Names matter."The spectrum of diagnoses considered "abnormal" includes amnesias and depressions, sleep issues and hallucinations, and many, many more.
Earlier this year, the Journal of Abnormal Psychology announced the name change, and its editor-in-chief Angus MacDonald III also wrote: "The name is important." It is believed that the following diagnoses can be regarded as "abnormal", including amnesia, depression, sleep problems and hallucinations, and many other diseases.
《Journal of Abnormal Psychology》
By referring to people with such a wide range of mental health conditions as "abnormal, "MacDonald wrote, "our title was contributing to stigma of people with mental illness."
MacDonald wrote that our journal title treats people with various mental illnesses as "abnormal.""This has contributed to society's stigmatization of patients with mental illness."
Victor Schwartz, a psychiatrist who helped organize the Media and Mental Health Initiative at Stanford University, said that "disparaging language can feel shame-inducing. It makes it harder for people to reach out for help or admit they are having mental health problems."
psychiatrist Victor Schwartz used to help organize the "Media and Mental Health Initiative" at Stanford University. He once said that "derogatory language will It makes people feel ashamed. It makes it more difficult for patients to ask for help or admit that they have a mental illness."
Stanford University emblem
Stigmatizing language can become a stumbling block to treatment and support and increases the likelihood of these problems worsening before treatment is instituted.According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than half of people with mental illness don't get help for their disorders because they fear being treated differently.
stigmatized language will become treatment And the stumbling block of support,It will also increase the likelihood that the condition will become severe before treatment. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than half of people with mental illness are not helped because they are afraid of being treated differently.
American Psychiatric Association
Schwartz also explained how "using language around mental illness as a source of mockery is hurtful to those who experience mental illnesses."He points out that while no one sees humor in someone having a stroke or cancer, it's often allowable to ridicule those with a mental health condition.
Schwartz also explained that “using mental illness-related language as sarcasm is hurtful for those with mental health conditions.” He pointed out, No one would make jokes about people with stroke or cancer, but people often make fun of those with mental illness.
Another way that language can worsen stigma is to reduce a person to a diagnosis.Referring to someone as, "a schizophrenic, "instead of a person with schizophrenia, dehumanizes them."An illness is a part of their life and experience and does not define who they are, "says Eve Byrd, a psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialist.
Language will aggravate another manifestation of stigmatization,It directly defines others as patients. Calling someone a "madman" instead of a "person with schizophrenia" deprives them of their humanity. psychiatry and mental health clinical nursing expert Eve Byrd said: "Illness is only part of their lives and experiences, and does not define who they are."
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