• Replies 42 replies
  • Subscribers 88 subscribers
  • Views 1436 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Anyone else find terms used by mental health professionals offensive?

DazeAndConfused

I was thinking about the labels given to those with mental health struggles. Previously I have been told I had an Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, and am currently considered by the secondary mental health team to be on the spectrum with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have issues with the term Disorder. To me it implies that we are broken or wrong to think in the way we do. Given the diabolical state of the world at the moment, what is so great about being and thinking like a neurotypical person. 

More recently I have been reading up about the diagnostic assessment process, and the need for Informants. To me this language invokes overtones of criminality or worse of an oligarchic state and its secret police. I mentioned this to my wife and a couple of friends, and they too were horrified by the term Informant! 

Surely the Neurodivergent community deserves more respect. Derogatory language (disorder, informant) is in my opinion offensive and shows a lack of respect from those working in the mental health arena. The language used in any dialogue is, in my opinion, so important in establishing the tone and nature of any interaction.

I am interested in your views on the subject.

Parents

  • I think the medical world and the social political one can cross into each others territory at points. These “disorders” we shall call them for now need to be named so in the medical world because they conflict with socially expected norms. The term neurodivergent is a very new term but is much more inclusive and tends to impress the idea that we are all the same but just think differently. Disorder does sound more on the harsh side though I agree. There is still a long way to go with society and it’s understanding towards these conditions including all those not on the spectrum but involving the personality. 

Reply

  • I think the medical world and the social political one can cross into each others territory at points. These “disorders” we shall call them for now need to be named so in the medical world because they conflict with socially expected norms. The term neurodivergent is a very new term but is much more inclusive and tends to impress the idea that we are all the same but just think differently. Disorder does sound more on the harsh side though I agree. There is still a long way to go with society and it’s understanding towards these conditions including all those not on the spectrum but involving the personality. 

Children
No Data