PSA: Lingo and you!

[lenainverse]

So a bit ago, when I got all puffed up because I passed my LCSW-C exam, I made mention that The licensure also gives me the right - nay, the duty - to bitchslap anyone who uses the word "bipolar" in an incorrect context. And someone responded to my taunts MWAHAHA! very insightfully asked me what the correct usage was. I meant to write this up

Comments

[lenainverse]

It's not a tangent at all, it's exactly what I'm talking about! It's positively tragic what happened to your mom. *hugs* And if the so-called professionals who were treating her had paid more attention things might have been different. *more hugs*

I also don't want to belittle feelings of sadness, but we as a global society need to reign our words in and think about the message they send.

[lenainverse]

*hugs even MORE* If you don't want to talk about it, I understand completely! But if you want to, then you should let yourself... I know you have so many people who care about you that would listen. &hearts

[glitteringloke]

retarded as a base definition means slow. so if my internet's being retarded, it's not really wrong. tho i'd probably be stoned if i was to say i was feeling mighty gay yesterday, because, by definition, gay means happy.

and what bothers me isn't so much the termonology but the abuse of medications and lack of following up reasons for things. had i gone to a psych. person, i probably would have been 'clinically depressed' for YEARS and given one of the many anti depressants out there. but now that i'm on the meds i'm on, i feel VASTLY different, and while i can still drop in my mood, i'm not crying myself to sleep or just not wanting to do much of anything with myself. i still get lazy, but the overtones, i guess you could say, are strikingly different. all because the thing that was actually wrong with me is being treated - which has symptoms of depression.

[lenainverse]

You are correct about the technical definition, but I think we also have to be cognizant of the connotation of words. Retarded means slow, but it has a distinctly stigmatized meaning nowadays. Meaning, it'd be so much easier and just as accurate to just say "slow." ^_^

And you're right that medical problems can and so imitate mental illnesses. That's why the DSM requires that we rule out all medical and substance causes before diagnosing, but sadly a lot of so-called professionals don't. That's why I'm ad advocate of the 5 hours face time, to make sure you get a thorough history, including particularly medical conditions. ^_^

[glitteringloke]

there's one thing to be cognizant and one to be overly PC. I'm still gonna feel gay some days and should i be forced to say happy because it's easier and equally accurate than having ppl think i'm feeling homosexual that day? it's kinda a violation of free speech there too. or maybe i should start correcting everyone that calls "geeks" a "geek" when a true geek is someone who's going around biting off chicken heads(playing devils advocate here, don't stone me

[lenainverse]

*ponders* I think PC isn't a bad thing in some cases though. I mean, it came into existence because things were offending people. For me, I'd rather be overly PC (especially around company other than my close friends) than risk offending someone. I've had people sit with me and talk about my job and how worthless it is, not realizing what I do for a living. It hurt. I've had clients who overheard someone say "retard" in a completely incidental situation, yet the client flipped out because they were mentally retarded and they had been made to feel stupid and inferior all their lives. Words can and do hurt. But on the other hand, you have a right to say whatever you please whether I agree or not. ^_

[dame_grise]

I don't understand bipolar disorder at all, despite having read a lot. And as someone with diagnosed dysthymia (one of the few anyone would settle on with lots of others being bandied about), I completely understand about the popular conception of depression. I haven't heard that commonly used around here, but I'll keep an eye out.

[lenainverse]

Dysthymia can be incredibly difficult to pin down and deal with.

I'm glad if bipolar isn't a common term in your area. Maybe there's hope yet! ^^

[dame_grise]

They use "gay" a lot in a derogatory sense, and not a single employer I've encountered around here understands dysthymia OR fibromyalgia.

[parsnip_chan]

I can hear you on the mis-diagnosis issues with the community at large. My sister has seen a psychologist/psychiatrist off and on for years and been diagnosed with stress anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and manic depressant. And she's been on drugs for most of them. It's maddening how every single psychologist ends up with a different diagnosis (Although I think it's complicated because she has the stress anxiety disorder on top of whatever else she has.).

The above post was really informative and thanks for sharing it. You already know my personal experience with counselors so I fully support your five hours of face time to tease apart a problem. And please, never ever dismiss someone's concern if their behavior has completely flip-flopped by the time they see you.

*loves*

[lenainverse]

*loves back* It's good to know my rambling occasionally comes in handy. ^^

[mr_jenius]

Ok. Color me informed. I don't think I ever used the term, because frankly I would have no clue what the hell I was talking about.

[lenainverse]

Good for you! Keep on not using it and I'll be happy. ^_^

...Did I invite you to join tonight in the BSG Series Finale festivities? Dinner and BSG, my place, 7 PM! You're invited if you wanna come. ^^

[mr_jenius]

Matt mentioned it. I heard that there is good food.....so of course I will be there! I wasn't going to go until I heard from either you or Logan. I hate inviting myself places.

and angry Lena.....not something I would like to see.....

Edit....not reading for content, I asked what time to come by. Boy I can be a dumb dumb sometimes...