Mental Illnesses Are Not Adjectives

Photo by Aliyah Jamous on Unsplash

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people use a mental illness as an adjective.

OMG, I’m sooooo OCD. I just have to do my dishes right away.

I’m really bipolar today. I can’t decide on anything and my mood’s been switching left and right.

I’m so ADD. I can’t even get my work done!

She’s so manic right now.

You’re delirious! What’s going on?

These phrases are extremely problematic. And I’ve only ever heard them come out of the mouths of people who aren’t affected by these conditions.

First of all, they use mental illnesses and disorders as adjectives, not nouns (because they are, in fact, mental health diagnoses). OCD is a disorder, not a habit. Bipolar is a disorder, not mood swings. ADD is a disorder, not a temporary lack of focus. Mania is a mental condition, and so is delirium. Neither of them are moods or states of mind.

So what’s really the problem with this?

Well, it’s invalidating towards those who truly experience these mental health challenges. Depressive disorders, bipolar disorders…