Shouldnt it be the therapists job to understand their clients language within their context and not for the patient to conform to the doctor?
Sometimes, however, and I speak from experience, a person is avoiding the words associated with what happened (“trauma” for example) in order to hide from the reality that what happened was terrible.
Minimizing language can be a coping mechanism, and like all coping mechanisms, there’s room in there for it to be harmful.
Other times yeah, fuck off, doctor. It’s my life, I’ll call stuff what I want. If I wanna call my depression The Big Sad that’s what I’m gonna fuckin do. (The difference being I’m very aware that The Big Sad could end my life if I don’t manage it, and I know exactly how to manage it.)
The difference being I’m very aware that The Big Sad could end my life if I don’t manage it
Kinda sounds like superhero talk.
Fighting The Big Sad is a job for each person called to battle, but it is one of the most heroic fights mankind faces!
…I could easily make this a metaphor and turn it into a novel.
There is no more honorable combat.
Completely and entirely true. The most worthy foe anyone can face.
If the doctor is trying to help the patient understand a concept, using the collectively agreed upon terminology can be very useful. If we all make our own names for things nobody will know what anyone is talking about. It’s fine if a patient or anyone has their own personal terms for things in a non-medical, non-academic, or non-professional setting, but if the goal is to communicate, you need a common reference place.
Its the job of a doctor to bridge the gap between the patient and ask the right questions. Talking about your mental health is crazy hard, even those who are very well spoken may only be able to talk about trauma using codes language.
Adding to this, this language isnt knew or invented. This is really how some kids speak nowadays. its language (subjective) (de)evolving much quicker since there always online. Granted most know how traditional language but can we really expect the same of people who ask mental help. Neglecting parents can have a huge effect on language capacity, so does intelligence.
I can compare it a bit to old local dialects which are still very common in my area. I was raised one state away from where i live right now and i still frequently end up with miscommunication with my parter because I attribute different nuances to different words.
This is the therapist bridging the gap, explaining that what they’re referring to has a more useful term than “bruh moment” which doesn’t really cover it. The patient has to cross the bridge and gain the understanding the doctor offers.
Actually its a self-deprecating joke by i young person and it didn’t literally actually happen.
I still think it does raise a very interesting point that language is subjective and constantly evolving, extra fast since texting got mainstream, This can create a real problem when a doctor and patient are from a different region/culture/generation.
Naturally the actual success on a therapy depends on way more factors including the motivation and effort of the patient, i believe that’s whats you’re saying and i am not dismissing that, but also more can be done to prepare doctors treating patient outside their usual social-economic circles.
Akshully, it’s a digital image representing a joke made by a young person who may be real or hypothetical. Not sure why it was an important distinction, but it’s important to you and so thank you for trying to explain.
You’re right that as language evolves it presents unique challenges. You’re also right that there’s always room for improvement.
I am sorry if my response sounded disrespectful.
I made the extinction because i was directly discussing the sentiment i thought the post intended me to think about and never took it literally. I am on the spectrum, and wether to take something literally or find a deeper message is indeed important context me.
Thanks for having the patience to continuing this conversation with me, even if we had some miscommunication (the irony) down the line.
It’s all good. I appreciate you saying that. I was trying to be cheeky in response, if I took it too far I’m sorry too. I don’t know if I’m on the spectrum but I’ve always suspected and have been asked before. Some of my loved ones likely are as well. I certainly understand looking for context and being uncertain as to whether I was observing it.
I am also enjoying our conversation. Thank you for talking with me. I hope you’re having a good day.
I’d reply “bruh”
Bruh
