{"id":33595,"date":"2024-04-12T07:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T07:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=33595"},"modified":"2025-04-17T21:30:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T21:30:32","slug":"mental-health-words-you-may-be-using-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/mental-health-words-you-may-be-using-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"5 mental health words you may be using wrong","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the past decade, the conversation around mental health has grown tremendously \u2014 much of that thanks to social media.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Social media) has helped spread awareness and in getting rid of some of the stigmas,\u201d says Madison Birdsell, peer support specialist, MultiCare Behavioral Health – Northeast Community Center<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve had people come in to see me because of what they saw on TikTok \u2014 it encouraged them to ask questions about themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

But discussions around mental health can easily be misinformed when relying on social media as a source. How you use terms from those conversations may cause more harm than good.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of good in spreading accurate information \u2026 just check your sources,\u201d Birdsell says. \u201cOftentimes we may hear a word on social media or from others, and because it\u2019s something new that we think fits our situation, we use it, and it feels validating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Misusing some of these words \u2014 especially those that involve life-altering diagnoses \u2014 diminishes the value of others\u2019 experiences, she adds.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down some of the terms commonly misused.<\/p>\n

Triggered<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Triggers are an experience \u2014 whether from a physical sensation, a specific situation or words, images and smells \u2014 that bring someone back to a traumatic event or moment in their life, says Birdsell.<\/p>\n

As a trained specialist, she helps patients work through what their triggers may be and how to cope in situations when triggers are presented.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut many people are using it in a sense of \u2018Oh, I got triggered because I saw something sad,\u2019\u201d Birdsell explains.<\/p>\n

In many cases, people may find it easier to say \u201cThat triggered me\u201d than to be vulnerable and talk about how they\u2019re feeling and reacting to something, she adds.<\/p>\n

Using triggered<\/strong> as an everyday word can be dismissive to those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).<\/p>\n

Gaslighting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Misuse of the word gaslighting<\/strong> typically arises during a genuine misunderstanding between two people, explains Birdsell.<\/p>\n

For example, you may remember something happening one way, but the other person remembers differently. To say they\u2019re gaslighting you in this situation would be incorrect.<\/p>\n

Gaslighting comes into play when one person intentionally and deliberately manipulates another to either question their actions and behaviors, or believe what that person says over anything else, Birdsell adds.<\/p>\n

People often use gaslighting<\/strong> as a scapegoat if their own feelings or opinions aren\u2019t validated by another person, she says.<\/p>\n

Toxic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While you may seek professional support during or after an unhealthy relationship, it\u2019s important to remember that toxic<\/strong> is not a diagnosis of you or the other person.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t use \u2018toxic\u2019 clinically, but rather look at the behaviors that disrespect someone\u2019s emotional and physical boundaries,\u201d Birdsell says.<\/p>\n

Another person may have unhealthy behaviors you don\u2019t like, but toxic<\/strong> is not the entirety of who they are, she explains. It can be harmful to generalize and profile yourself or others that way.<\/p>\n

Instead, take the opportunity to talk about your boundaries and how you can foster a healthier relationship \u2014 or decide to part ways.<\/p>\n

Narcissist<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which must be diagnosed by a professional, is characterized by someone who continuously demonstrates behaviors that lack empathy or are driven by ego, Birdsell explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople will often wrongly use the word \u2018narcissist\u2019 during a one-time event, like \u2018Someone was selfish once, so they\u2019re a narcissist,\u2019\u201d she says. \u201cBut narcissistic personality disorder is a constant thing. It impacts their daily life and how they treat those around them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just because someone acted in such a way one time doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re a narcissist, she adds. It can be incredibly damaging to wrongly name someone a narcissist \u2014 and it\u2019s dismissive to those living with NPD.<\/p>\n

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/h2>\n

Just like calling someone a narcissist, to say you or someone else has OCD without a clinical diagnosis can be damaging to those living with this disorder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to OCD, it\u2019s a disorder and not by choice,\u201d Birdsell says. \u201cIt\u2019s not that you\u2019re a little organized or have a habit. For most people with OCD, it impacts their life to the point you can\u2019t function if you don\u2019t do something \u2014 even think it will be life and death for you and those around you if you don\u2019t do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people became more aware of germs, and many picked up more thorough cleaning practices. In response, they may say \u201cI\u2019ve become so OCD about cleaning.\u201d<\/p>\n

To wrongly compare yourself to such an extreme, life-altering challenge minimizes it for those for whom it\u2019s not a choice, Birdsell adds.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the past decade, the conversation around mental health has grown tremendously \u2014 much of that thanks to social media. \u201c(Social media) has helped spread awareness and in getting rid of some of the stigmas,\u201d says Madison Birdsell, peer support specialist, MultiCare Behavioral Health – Northeast Community Center. \u201cI\u2019ve had people come in to see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-behavioral-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 mental health words you may be using wrong - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discussions around mental health can easily be misinformed when relying on social media as a source. 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