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Changing Negative Language Surrounding MH

ZenZen Posts: 1,989 Extreme Poster
edited March 2020 in Health & Wellbeing
Hey Everyone!

One thing that really bothers me about the way people talk about mental illness is the language they use around it. On this thread, share what language you would really like to be changed!

For example, when people tell me that I "suffer" with anxiety. I'm not suffering! I'm living! And thriving! Having anxiety has taught me to be resilient and how to keep going when things get tough, I'm not suffering!

Eleanor <3 
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    BubblesGoesBooBubblesGoesBoo Posts: 3,590 Community Veteran
    I recently heard someone describe me to someone else and all they said was 'she's got mental health issues' yes I may have them, but I am so much more than my mental health, I am a hard worker, I am caring and empathetic, I may have been through a lot, but it's made me understand the world more.. I am a good friend (I think) and I get happy over the little things, I appreciate everything in my life, I may struggle with mental health, but I am so much more than my illnesses, underneath the suffering, I am still me... 
    ' So I put a bullet where I shouda put a helmet, and I crash my car cause I wanna get carried away, that's why I'm standing on the overpass screaming at myself 'hey, I wanna get better''  
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    ZenZen Posts: 1,989 Extreme Poster
    I may struggle with mental health, but I am so much more than my illnesses
    @BubblesGoesBoo I completely agree with you. Nobody would talk that way about someone with physical illnesses no why mental illnesses? You are right, we are more than our illnesses and I hope people will see that. 

    Hope you’re okay after hearing what that person said  <3
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    SienaSiena Posts: 15,495 Skive's The Limit
    This is proper interesting because in my peer support training we learnt a whole new "langauge" call it recovery lanaguage. 

    Some of it i dont see the point in. But when i think about it. I do. 

    Suffering is one of the non recovery lanaguge. As well as - illness, problems, issues. Got taught to say challenges instead. And things like not saying our diagnosis only explaning it so people dont make prejudgements.  Or say "i have a diagnosis of depression" rather than say " i have depression" because saying the "diagnosis" Shows it what a doctor said and not a massive part of who you are. And some other reason. That ive forgotten

    Also i dont say relapse. As sounds like starting again. Suppose to say like bump in the road. 

    I Dont say symptoms. Say experience. ( i dont lol but i mean im suppose to if i was to go into job as peer worker)

    and other things like that. I made a thread awhile ago about the sort of languge around mental health
    “And when they look at you, they won't see everything you've been through. They won't see the **** that turned to scars that began to fade with time. They won't see the heartbreaking things that shook up and changed your entire world. They won't know how many tears you cried or even what it was you were crying about. They won't see how strong you had to be because you had no other choice. What they will see though is how compassionate you are because you experienced pain. What they will see is how kind you are because you experienced how cruel the world is. What they will see is how good you are because you've seen how bad things or people can be. The difference between you and your experiences are who you choose to be, despite everything that could have turned you cold and unkind.You are the good the world needs and the best of us.” ~ Kirsten Corley
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    ZenZen Posts: 1,989 Extreme Poster
    @Shaunie I really like those ideas! I will be sure to check out your thread too <3 
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    SienaSiena Posts: 15,495 Skive's The Limit
    edited March 2020
    And also i dont say "recovered" because love the word recovery cause everyones in recovery because we are al livin with the mental illness and everyday we learn about something and if didnt improve than have some experience of that day. And always learning and trying to grow even if doesnt work. 
    “And when they look at you, they won't see everything you've been through. They won't see the **** that turned to scars that began to fade with time. They won't see the heartbreaking things that shook up and changed your entire world. They won't know how many tears you cried or even what it was you were crying about. They won't see how strong you had to be because you had no other choice. What they will see though is how compassionate you are because you experienced pain. What they will see is how kind you are because you experienced how cruel the world is. What they will see is how good you are because you've seen how bad things or people can be. The difference between you and your experiences are who you choose to be, despite everything that could have turned you cold and unkind.You are the good the world needs and the best of us.” ~ Kirsten Corley
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    ZenZen Posts: 1,989 Extreme Poster
    @Shaunie I don't think that I would every use the word "recovery" either. I don't believe you can be recovered from a mental illness, it's more that you develop skills to make life more manageable with a mental illness!  
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