Commonly Misused Psych Terms

Bipolar Disorders (BPD) and Manic Episodes

Bipolar disorder is actually an umbrella term for a category of brain disorders that includes bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Someone with a bipolar disorder experiences extreme changes in mood and behavior that is noticeable by others for a period of at least one week. A person can transition between manic states where they experience hyperactivity, insomnia, and sometimes delusions of grandeur to depressive states characterized by lack of motivation, suicidal ideation, and/or irritability. 

Misuses

• "They are so bipolar!" When referring to typical mood changes

• Describing "moodiness" as bipolar 
  
  

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Clinical Diagnosis. OCD is a disorder where an obsession, like cleanliness, drives a compulsive behavior, such as hand washing/cleaning. What characterizes OCD is the disruption of daily life – it’s typical that those experiencing OCD do not feel at peace until they give in to their compulsion. And even when they do, the respite is brief. 

Misuses

• "OMG I"M SO OCD." When referring to the fact that you just like cleanliness.

• Having a preferred way of doing things, or being more organized than average, is not in and of itself an indicator of OCD. 

Depression

Depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Also commonly characterized by hopelessness, self-loathing, and lack of pleasure.

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Misuses

• Depression is not the same thing as sadness, although the two terms are often used interchangeably – feeling down for a day or two is not the same as being depressed.  Additionally, depression is not something that can be “fixed” just by trying to cheer someone up or changing their outlook. Clinically-diagnosed depression takes professional treatment and lifestyle changes in order to manage symptoms.

Triggered

The word “triggered” has become part of internet culture, and for those of us who grew up on the internet, a normal part of our lexicon, whether as a meme or to describe a feeling of intense emotional distress. 

In psychology, the term “trigger” refers to intense emotional distress one might feel when suddenly faced with something that reminds you of a past traumatic event. Triggers can cause your body to react as if the trauma were happening again. For example, if you hear a firework go off, you might immediately begin to feel yourself go into fight or flight mode. The firework reminds you of the sound of gunfire when you were deployed overseas.

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Misuses 

• One of the most common misuses of "triggered" is to describe a strong negative emotional reaction to something relatively minor or mundane. For example, someone might say they were "triggered" by a mildly upsetting comment or a disagreement.

• People also may use "triggered" as a catch-all term for any emotional reaction, whether it's anger, sadness, frustration, or anxiety.

• It is also sometimes used in political or ideological debates to dismiss or belittle opposing viewpoints. This misuse suggests that the person expressing distress or strong emotions is simply overreacting rather than engaging in a valid discussion.

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Narcisstic 

Chances are that one self-obsessed classmate or acquaintance isn’t suffering from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). To be a narcissist is to believe you are superior to others and have a grandiose sense of self-importance, leading you to feel you deserve more success and power than others; a willingness to exploit others, a general sense of entitlement, and an inability to empathize with others.

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Misuses

• NPD is a fairly uncommon diagnosis, affecting anywhere from 0.5% to 5% of the general U.S. population, with a greater prevalence in men than women. Sometimes people who display high levels of self-esteem or confidence are labeled as narcissistic, when in fact, the term is being misused as an insult or in a derogatory manner.

Trauma Bond

Trauma bonding is an attachment that develops from a cycle of physical and/or emotional trauma followed by positive reinforcement; there is a distinct power dynamic between the one inflicting trauma, and the one experiencing it. This is common in romantic relationships, but can also be exhibited between a child and their abusive caregiver, a hostage and their kidnapper, or even colleagues and friends. 

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Misuses

• Some may think this term is referring to two individuals who experienced the same traumatic event, like a car accident. Being involved in an event where you and another person experiences a traumatizing situation doesn’t mean you have a trauma bond to that person. 

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Antisocial 

It’s no secret that humans are social creatures. We thrive in groups, and isolation is unnatural for us. Social anxiety is a fear of social situations, and can be caused by any number of factors. It can involve a fear of evaluation from others, or even a fear that one’s behavior will not be accepted. Antisocial behaviors are the opposite — they involve avoiding interaction with others and rejecting attempts to connect with them. 

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Misuses

• Antisocial is sometimes used to describe those who exhibit more introverted traits, like feeling energized by spending time alone. The reality is that people who exhibit antisocial behaviors often have difficulty forming relationships or maintaining them. They may struggle to display empathy or understanding of others’ feelings, which can put a strain on relationships. It’s important to understand that even those with introverted personalities are capable of forming meaningful connections with other people.