It isn’t news that human society survives on language as a mode of interaction and expression. But we often forget how vital language is not only for our existence but also its growth. This forms the basis of why we must create, build and utilise niche terminologies appropriately in our interactions.

This becomes all the more significant when we use these terminologies to talk, share and opine about things related to mental health. But alas, most of us are too ignorant about how detrimental misusing terms like ‘OCD’, ‘depression’,‘bipolar’ et cetera casually can be to someone or the movement that’s trying to raise awareness around mental health issues and normalise it.

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“Words carry a lot of power to their listeners and we all have made many mistakes (regarding its usage) and continue to learn. Our word choices contribute to social stigmas that can further marginalize individuals of all backgrounds living with a variety of conditions, illnesses and disabilities,” 

says Dr Hiba Siddiqui, a Senior Psycho-Oncologist at Max Healthcare.

“It’s important to learn the perils of problematic language when we casually overuse words like ‘retarded’, ‘psycho’, ‘crazy or nuts’, ‘insane or mental’, and so on. There is a conscious need to opt or adapt to language that centres an individual, rather than their symptoms. For instance, someone isn’t ‘depressed’ or ‘anxious’, they are a person living with depression or anxiety. We need to avoid casually using a serious mental illness to describe our passing mood or habit. Casual references like this to mental illnesses undermine severity and contribute to  greater shame and stigma around seeking help for the same,” 

Dr Siddiqui adds.  

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Speaking about misusing mental health-related words in daily conversation and some common misconceptions related to the field, Dr Siddiqui pointed out these five factors to keep in mind.

1. Mental illness is associated with a significant burden of morbidity and disability. Despite being so common, it is often not identified, under-diagnosed, and under reported by many. It is important to note that mental illnesses can affect individuals  across age, gender, race, socio-economic status and educational backgrounds, without discrimination.  

It is important to note that while gender differences often play a role and gender is  a critical determinant of mental health and well-being, the adversity of impact receives more attention than gender-specific determinants in the long-run.  

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2. Gender stereotypes regarding proneness to emotional problems in women and alcohol and violence-based problems in men, appear to reinforce social stigma and constrain help seeking. They are a barrier to the accurate identification and treatment of psychological disorders or psychosocial stressors. 

Women are more likely to seek help and disclose mental health problems to their support systems and doctors, while men are more likely to not do the same. This is a result of toxic masculinity patterns surrounding men, which are entrenched as part of their socialization.

3. A common myth we all have heard is that anyone can snap out of a mental illness if they tried hard enough. It’s important to factually understand that mental health difficulties or emotional distress has nothing to do with being lazy or weak.

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Many factors contribute to mental illnesses such as: 

    • Biological factors, such as genetics, physical illness, or chemical changes in the brain 

    • Life experiences and psychosocial stressors, such as trauma, abuse or neglect • Family

history of mental health problems 

People with mental illnesses can get better with the right psychological and pharmacological intervention as required. 

4. When more men speak about their struggles and experience with emotional stressors and reduced mental well-being at a public level, other men can see that the struggle is real and relatable. They feel less alone. It is therefore important to spread awareness and normalize mental illnesses and the difficulty they pose on one’s functionality and everyday demands, irrespective of gender. Be open to express, share and seek help when needed. 

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We all need to advocate messages of hope and inform people living with mental health issues, that effective psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions exist and can help with managing their on-going symptoms and problems. This has to be a collective responsibility for all individuals living in a common society. 

5. Another common myth is that, ‘I can’t do anything to support someone with mental illness or emotional distress’. 

The fact is that we all at our individual levels can do a lot to make a difference in their lives: 

   • We can regularly check-in 

   • We can listen without judgement 

   • Treat them in the same way we treat others 

   • Be empathetic 

   • Be patient

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