Posted by alexandra_k on May 20, 2005, at 18:14:34
In reply to Rename Scizophrenia Please!, posted by DanielJ on May 19, 2005, at 11:40:56
Yeah. Schizophrenia is a tricky one. It is a bit of a catch-all. Better to think of 'the schizophrenias' - because there are a lot of different types.
It doesn't help that it has become known as a 'split personality'. The notion is that there is a split between thoughts / feelings / behaviours - but in the popular conception people tend to think something along the lines of DID (formerly multiple personality disorder).
But what to call it??????
That is a hard one....
I have to say that I'm not keen on the word 'schizophrenics' or even 'bi-polars'. They are people who are not to be defined by their illness. Rather they are a person with schizophrenia, bi-polar etc.
The word 'psychotic' is another one that could probably usefully be changed.
But it is true that it isn't enough to change the world. What is needed is a change in the publics conception.
Otherwise you get an endless run of euphemisms... And ruin a lot of words that were intended to be neutral...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:500303
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050513/msgs/500495.html