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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cynthia on March 9, 2000, at 18:35:20
My son has been suffering from depression and is doing an assignment for his english class. He is supposed to talk on a subject that has been a challenge for him. He wants to talk about his depression but he is throwing in terms that I don't think he has the right definitions for. He thinks that Mentally ill and Emotionally Disturbed are synonymous. I am not sure . Any help on defining the psych terms would be greatly appreciated.-Cynthia
Posted by Noa on March 9, 2000, at 19:07:40
In reply to Mental Illness or Emotionally Disturbed?, posted by Cynthia on March 9, 2000, at 18:35:20
It is kind of like using two terms from different "languages" that come out of different "cultures".
Mental Illness is more or less a term coming out of the medical or psychiatric field.
Emotionally Disturbed is a term used by the educational establishment to "code" a child as needing special services.
Posted by bob on March 9, 2000, at 20:50:16
In reply to Re: Mental Illness or Emotionally Disturbed?, posted by Noa on March 9, 2000, at 19:07:40
Both are just labels. Back in Michigan, the term was Emotionally Impaired. Kids referred for special education were either EI or LD (learning disabled). Step in a Detroit classroom, and you'll find all sorts of kids labelled LD. Step into an Ann Arbor classroom, and they're EI ... after all, professors and doctors and engineers and such do NOT want their child labelled LD. EI they can identify with.
Have you asked him how he feels about getting a tag pinned on him, whatever the term? Just curious.
bob
Posted by Chris A. on March 9, 2000, at 21:26:19
In reply to Re: Mental Illness or Emotionally Disturbed?, posted by Noa on March 9, 2000, at 19:07:40
My vote is to can terms that are laden with stigma. It is medically a more accurate term.Happy writing!
Chris A.
Posted by Cynthia on March 10, 2000, at 8:53:51
In reply to How about Neurobiological Illness?, posted by Chris A. on March 9, 2000, at 21:26:19
Thanks to all of you.My son was happy to have alternatives and decided against using "emotionally disturbed"! Whew! I would hate for him to be "labled" He says he does'nt care but I am sure he would. I guess things don't seem like they matter when you are 16. Thanks again. Cynthia
Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 10:43:44
In reply to Noa, bob , and Chris A. , posted by Cynthia on March 10, 2000, at 8:53:51
This might sound like a PC verbal manipulation, but it can be instructive to a young guy like your son. Ask him to think about the differences between and among the following terms:
mentally ill person
person with a mental illness
depressed person
person suffering from depression
manic depressive person
person who has manic depressive illness
Person who has bipolar disorder
bipolar person
I'm bipolar
person who has a chronic form of depression
person who has had major depression
person who has a brain disorder
Posted by michael on March 10, 2000, at 13:25:02
In reply to How about Neurobiological Illness?, posted by Chris A. on March 9, 2000, at 21:26:19
>
> My vote is to can terms that are laden with stigma. It is medically a more accurate term.
>
> Happy writing!
>
> Chris A.I like the idea. It feels more objective (factual?), with less stigma attached (for the time being), and at the same time, accurate.
Kind of has the connotation of a "real" (ie physical) illness which can be treated, rather than a "weakness", which is sometimes associated with the other terms these days.
Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 13:38:01
In reply to Re: How about Neurobiological Illness?, posted by michael on March 10, 2000, at 13:25:02
That sounds good.
Posted by bob on March 10, 2000, at 19:28:05
In reply to Re: How about Neurobiological Illness?, posted by michael on March 10, 2000, at 13:25:02
I prefer neurological disorder.
Both terms are far enough away from lay medical terminology as to be mildly mystifying yet non-threatening. What I *don't* like about illness is how people tend to think that you have something like the flu and that with some medicine and bedrest, it will all go away. I've had that happen to me ... and when you don't get better soon, those folks start wondering if there is "**really** something wrong" with you.
Then again, I've always found "Hey psycho" to be rather endearing....
bob
Posted by Cass on March 10, 2000, at 19:33:02
In reply to Mental Illness or Emotionally Disturbed?, posted by Cynthia on March 9, 2000, at 18:35:20
I hate the fact that kids who are traumatized from, say, incest, physical or emotional abuse, have to bear the stigma of being "disturbed."
This is the end of the thread.
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