Words Matter: Challenging Labels in Mental Health

“Depressed," “bulimic," “addict," “schizophrenic," and “alcoholic" represent common terminologies referring to individuals with formal mental health disorders. Nevertheless, a human being also encompasses a past, a present, and a future. One has an identity, many personal characteristics, core values, vulnerabilities, and strengths.

Stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, psychosis, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders may be part of one’s life, however. Individuals with mental health disorders experience prolonged psychological distress as a result of a combination of factors, commonly known as bio-psychosocial factors (personal challenges, social surroundings, and/or biological factors).

Why do words matter in mental health?

Perhaps it is easier to understand why terminology is important in mental health if we look at how we talk about chronic medical conditions. Labeling an individual with a cancer diagnosis as “cancerous” would be perceived as highly insensitive, disturbing, and inhumane. Why? In this case, the reason is obvious: A human being represents much more than their cancer diagnosis.

Unfortunately, we are not as highly aware of such terminology in mental health. Using “cancerous” or “anorexic” can equally cancel a person’s sense of identity. Words like “addict” may attempt to completely define an entity. “Bulimic” can easily become a label.

Indeed, mental health concerns may disrupt people’s lives in many ways, with considerations at a personal and societal level. But there are paths to recovery in mental health care. If an individual’s life consists of their labeled mental health condition and nothing else, recovery would not be possible whatsoever. Fortunately, people have vast resources that can be discovered and nurtured to create future flourishing. Resilience and growth can be fostered in mental health care.