Therapy-misspeak – overusing the terms used by psychologists and doctors and therapists – has blown up in recent years. Words that are used in the mental health world to diagnose or describe certain mental illnesses or traits of mental illnesses have become part of everyday language. But not in a good or accurate way.

The trend seems to be leading… not to better mental health – but to a dilution of the actual pain or hardship that is mental illness as well as to hinder you learning how to talk more plainly about your emotions or experiences.

Things to remember about therapy-misspeak: 

1. Not all jerks are narcissists.
2. No one has one day where you have bipolar disorder or OCD.
3. A reaction isn’t a trigger.
4. Getting hurt isn’t necessarily trauma. It’s important but it’s not necessarily traumatic.
5. Imposter syndrome isn’t the same as feeling initially overwhelmed by something you’re trying to do or become.
6. Self-care isn’t as powerful as self-respect.
7. Borderline isn’t you feeling out of control.
8. Panic is more than feeling anxious.
9. And toxic? Poisons are toxic. And maybe something is poisoning you. But you’ll grow a lot more if you describe what feels poisonous to you.

Today’s listener question isn’t a question. I was very touched by the words this listener wanted me to hear – and told her so.

Vital Links: 

HuffPost piece: “Dealing with a narcissist” - all jerks aren't narcissists.

Early SelfWork Episode on narcissism

Research article on therapy-misspeak

The Instagram account of Raquel the capacity expert

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You can hear more about this and many other topics by listening to my podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Subscribe to my website and receive my weekly newsletter including a blog post and podcast! If you’d like to join my FaceBook closed group, then click here and answer the membership questions! Welcome!

My book entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression is available here! Its message is specifically for those with a struggle with strong perfectionism which acts to mask underlying emotional pain. But the many self-help techniques described can be used by everyone who chooses to begin to address emotions long hidden away that are clouding and sabotaging your current life.

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