[Secretum]

Do you find these terms offensive? Would you ever use them to describe yourself?

For me, context determines whether or not these words are hurtful. When used to imply that people w/ MI are in any way inferior, than yes, they are offensive. I don't mind when they are used in a light-hearted, joking way. I have used these terms on myself like that.

[BlackHoleKid]

I don't find it offensive in the least unless somebody, like you said, implied that I was somehow inferior because of my mental health status. I guess context would have to make it offensive, because I don't find words by themselves offensive. If somebody called me "that loopy chick" or whatever, I don't think I'd be bothered. Actually, if any of those terms were used to describe me, unless they were explicitly given a nasty context, I wouldn't mind. I get tired of people reading too much into words.

I just find them inaccurate. And anyway im not sure what use a term like 'disturbed' has any more. Its almost like the word 'normal' - what does that even mean or refer too? Sorry if im not making much sense but this is just how i feel - im sure others would disagree.

[Umbral_Seraph]

I refer to myself in such ways, yes. I'm not amused when someone uses those terms in a derogatory way, though it doesn't get me. I'm pretty difficult to namecall.

[mommyof2girls]

I don't find them offensive.....I use the term "crazy" about myself all the time ( granted it is in a joking way ) .....

[newtus]

i wouldnt use them on myself.
theyve been used in reference to me by nearly everyone ive ever met. including the some adults ive met in my lifetime.

[Trippin2.0]

I have no beef with any of those words, I use 'em quite often, always have, pre and post dx

[venusss]

I am crazy.


I prefer crazy to "ill" actually. Because crazy seems to have a possitive hint to it. Crazy can be funny. Different. Crazy people make the world go round. While people who are ill tend to die.......

[cin1]

Originally Posted by Secretum

Do you find these terms offensive? Would you ever use them to describe yourself?

For me, context determines whether or not these words are hurtful. When used to imply that people w/ MI are in any way inferior, than yes, they are offensive. I don't mind when they are used in a light-hearted, joking way. I have used these terms on myself like that.

my dr. wrote that i was "unsuitable" to serve on a jury. he got the message across but i found that offensive. i haven't thought of myself like that.

[Open Eyes]

LOL Venus,
Well most people are mad, crazy,disturbed at times isnt that what normal is?

Yes I agree with some of the other posters, it all depends on the context of how it is said. IMO I don't like it when it is used in a cruel manner myself.
Open Eyes

[Open Eyes]

Originally Posted by cin1

my dr. wrote that i was "unsuitable" to serve on a jury. he got the message across but i found that offensive. i haven't thought of myself like that.

It could be more that your T was protecting your sense of well being cin1.
Sitting in a jury box is not easy, can be very difficult depending on the case involved.

Open Eyes

[BrokenNBeautiful]

I prefer to call myself "an individual with issues, like anyone".

We all have them.

Some more than others, some less than others.

And it's all relative.

I feel that these words are very subjective.

I've had labels put on me in my mental health system and while I may agree with the symptoms, I do not always agree with the methods of treatment or how they see me.

I just like "someone with issues". But dont' we all have them?

Billi

[shoez]

I do find them extremely offensive. My mother calls me crazy almost everyday.
She laughs at me with my sister and she looks at my sister and point to her head... and then looks at me and says "Shes sick in the head".

She always says "I wish I had a normal daughter, good thing I have your sister."
or
"Are you going to take your crazy pills?"

When I was a kid, she stopped calling me by my name...and simply called me crazy.
"Hey Crazy, come over here."
"Crazy B**** come downstairs."
"Wake up Crazy".


And ..now. I dont know..maybe I am, maybe im not...now I dont even know who I am.

[grandmaof3]

I call myself crazy all the time..but I don't like when other people call me crazy in a derogatory way and I don't call other people crazy.

[lizardlady]

Shoez, that is so sad. I'm sorry your mother talks to you that way.

[splitimage]

I have mixed feelings about the term. i sometimes use the term crazy to describe myself. And here in TO we have MH events, like Mad Pride, and the Rendevous with Madness Film Festival that are put on by consumers to raise awareness of mental health issues. In those cases - I see it as reclaiming the language for use by the community, as a way to educate the public. Sort of like how Gay Pride parades started out.

splitimage

[Ygrec23]

I don't have a problem with them. The people I care about, and whose opinions I care about, wouldn't dream of using them. And as far as concerns the others, I really don't care what they think. An awful lot of people without great knowledge of the world are frightened by what they don't know, and I really don't have the time or energy to try to educate them. They're a fact of life. Always have been, always will be.

[di meliora]

Yes, has to be a huge undertaking to educate the ignorant.

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by Elan Vital

Yes, has to be a huge undertaking to educate the ignorant.

Ah, the fine Italian hand of Elan! Well, friend, I gave up trying to change the world about four or five years ago. I'll leave that to younger people. Me, I'm just a financially struggling old guy in a small town in the boondocks taking care of a wife with Alzheimer's, and not having all that much time left. Changing the world, as opposed to helping people, requires time and energy that I don't have. I'll always try to help people, but educating the seven billion is a bit beyond me. Take care!

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Ygrec23

I don't have a problem with them. The people I care about, and whose opinions I care about, wouldn't dream of using them. And as far as concerns the others, I really don't care what they think. An awful lot of people without great knowledge of the world are frightened by what they don't know, and I really don't have the time or energy to try to educate them. They're a fact of life. Always have been, always will be.

I wonder why some people and sadly people with different minds are so afraid of crazy. I see it as a positive thing... doing things unusual and expected.

Maybe if we allowed ourselves to be bit crazy, we would not suffer so much. And we crazies in particular should not fight against craziness that much.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by shoez

I do find them extremely offensive. My mother calls me crazy almost everyday.
She laughs at me with my sister and she looks at my sister and point to her head... and then looks at me and says "Shes sick in the head".

She always says "I wish I had a normal daughter, good thing I have your sister."
or
"Are you going to take your crazy pills?"

When I was a kid, she stopped calling me by my name...and simply called me crazy.
"Hey Crazy, come over here."
"Crazy B**** come downstairs."
"Wake up Crazy".


And ..now. I dont know..maybe I am, maybe im not...now I dont even know who I am.

That's abuse! Hugs to you! ((((((((( shoez )))))))))

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

I wonder why some people and sadly people with different minds are so afraid of crazy.

I think many people are just afraid of non-understood different. And there are lots of people who really don't understand much at all. The world must seem a frightening and threatening place to them, where anyone different is a real potential enemy. Take care!

[di meliora]

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. ~Albert Einstein
“The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world” ~Max Born

I am amused at the sciolists and ultracrepidarians who posit their opinions as facts.

I have been labeled many things -- and have learned some -- only to find what I think I know is not even a blip on the radar of wisdom.