As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, mental health terms can often be misused in colloquial form; people often mention that they are “so OCD” or “so depressed,” when they in fact are only using the term colloquially to represent the stereotypes of that disorder. Misusing mental health words extends the stigma attached to mental health, and it also diminishes the meaning for someone who actually does suffer from one of these conditions.
Another clear example is when someone is in a stressful situation and mentions they are “having a panic attack.” Panic attacks are a very real mental health condition, but should only be referred to if the person is truly experiencing a panic episode – not by a person who is just feeling a little stressed out who needs a term to use. See the infographic below.
