[JanusunaJ]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, but here goes...

Several years ago, I was enrolled in a psychology course. I don't remember much from the course, but the one concept that I do remember clearly came from the course textbook. In it, it was stated that one shouldn't refer to a person as their illness(e.g. "so and so is bipolar" or "so and so is schizophrenic"). This seems to me to be a very righteous statement. It is really disconcerting when I hear or see people refer to others by their mental illness as if that is what defines them.

"My bipolar friend." Why not, "My friend who has bipolar disorder"?
"My schizophrenic friend." Why not, "My friend who suffers from schizophrenia"?
"That person is ADHD." Why not, "That person has ADHD"?
"That person is anorexic." Why not, "That person is suffering from anorexia"?
"That person is psychotic." Why not, "That person is in a state of psychosis"?

Maybe this doesn't really matter, but it is really unsettling when I see it, nonetheless.

Would you, for instance, say:
"My cancer friend."
"My ALS friend."
"That Alzheimer's man."
"The dementia woman."
"The lupus girl."
"That person is COPD."

A person is not their disease. Why reduce them to such? Maybe I'm wrong. It just seems very strange to me.

[Thunder Bow]

Those are all Labels. Labels are not good, and are short sighted.

[Travelinglady]

I agree. It does seem to suggest the person is basically the disorder.

[Trippin2.0]

IMO it comes down to individuals plus perspective.

I don't mind saying "I am Bipolar", this does not reduce me to my disorder, nor do i over identify with my disorder. Its just basically 1, out of habit, and 2 it feels more a part of me than some germ or disease I caught or picked up somewhere.

Point is i am comfortable identifying this way, and i don't need anyone to feel sorry for me for doing so.

I also have nothing against the opposite side of the camp who say "I have bipolar disorder", they obviously find that works for them.

[Fuzzybear]

I agree with the OP.. a person is not their disease and I find it sub optimal if other(s) attempt to reduce them to such..

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

IMO it comes down to individuals plus perspective.

I don't mind saying "I am Bipolar", this does not reduce me to my disorder, nor do i over identify with my disorder. Its just basically 1, out of habit, and 2 it feels more a part of me than some germ or disease I caught or picked up somewhere.

Point is i am comfortable identifying this way, and i don't need anyone to feel sorry for me for doing so.

I also have nothing against the opposite side of the camp who say "I have bipolar disorder", they obviously find that works for them.

I agree. Sometimes I say "I am bipolar" and sometimes I say "I have bipolar disorder" but I see your point about not labeling a person. Sending big hugs.

[-jimi-]

I actually would want to say that I am ADD, but it doesn't sound right grammatically. Also I'd like to say I have whiteness. I identify much stronger with ADD than being white. For me ADD is NOT A DISEASE. I'm not infected, contagious or sick with it.

I hate it when people call me by my illness
I don't identify with schizophrenia and it really pisses me off when people say "kori is schizophrenic"

I am not schizophrenic I am kori

[dlantern]

If you re sharing to friends, I dont mind, my DID/PTSd friend seems to think this or that. Especially if it is someone that doesnt know the other set of friends. Whats the point of names unless we are going to meet then it is, her name is. I understand we are allowed to let things upset us it is about learning who you are on your journey.