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I think that’s different. It’s nice to not have shitty circumstance be your identity. I’ve got a friend who was recently homeless. Thinking of him as a “homele

I think that’s different. It’s nice to not have shitty circumstance be your identity. I’ve got a friend who was recently homeless. Thinking of him as a “homeless person” isn’t really so helpful. That said, I think developing a thick skin should be a curricular objective for all people.

yucky 4y ago
Exactly this. I've been homeless twice (once as a kid and once as a young adult). I don't speak about it often, but when I do that is the language I use. There is no need to sugar coat it, and call it something else. People are too coddled and it is likely why so many now have trouble handling any adversity at all.
benj111 4y ago
Am I depressed, or do I have depression? I don't think either is any more an identity than the other. And I'd rather people engage with the problem, rather than virtue signaling by using the 'correct' terminology, whatever that is this week.
- dr_dshiv 4y ago
  Well, I can see why a person might prefer to look at their situation as temporary. In your case, would it be the same if you heard someone describe you as “a depressed person?”
  - benj111 4y ago
    Yes. I'm sure weve all had an issue with a company, and in their communications, theyve been polite and used the 'right' words, but in the end you know they are basically fobbing you off, and refusing to sort the problem. the issue isn't the words, the issue is the attitude. for me the issues would come in around how they perceive me. you could say that language used is indicative of that, but I disagree, polite words are often used to be very impolite. It takes very little time to assess someones perception, so I really don't see the utility in making people use 'correct' words.
  - ghostpepper 4y ago
    I understand the intention but I don't see what about the word 'depressed' implies permanence. Is a depressed person any more permanently depressed than a depressed button or a depressed stock price?
    - dr_dshiv 4y ago
      Yeah, it’s definitely there. Maybe you don’t see it, but ask about. People are very sensitive to their own identity in mental health. Being depressed and being a depressed person is a very different implication!
      - ghostpepper 4y ago
        In case it wasn't clear from my post above, this is me asking.

yucky 4y ago

Exactly this. I've been homeless twice (once as a kid and once as a young adult). I don't speak about it often, but when I do that is the language I use. There is no need to sugar coat it, and call it something else. People are too coddled and it is likely why so many now have trouble handling any adversity at all.

benj111 4y ago

Am I depressed, or do I have depression? I don't think either is any more an identity than the other. And I'd rather people engage with the problem, rather than virtue signaling by using the 'correct' terminology, whatever that is this week.

dr_dshiv 4y ago
Well, I can see why a person might prefer to look at their situation as temporary. In your case, would it be the same if you heard someone describe you as “a depressed person?”
- benj111 4y ago
  Yes. I'm sure weve all had an issue with a company, and in their communications, theyve been polite and used the 'right' words, but in the end you know they are basically fobbing you off, and refusing to sort the problem. the issue isn't the words, the issue is the attitude. for me the issues would come in around how they perceive me. you could say that language used is indicative of that, but I disagree, polite words are often used to be very impolite. It takes very little time to assess someones perception, so I really don't see the utility in making people use 'correct' words.
- ghostpepper 4y ago
  I understand the intention but I don't see what about the word 'depressed' implies permanence. Is a depressed person any more permanently depressed than a depressed button or a depressed stock price?
  - dr_dshiv 4y ago
    Yeah, it’s definitely there. Maybe you don’t see it, but ask about. People are very sensitive to their own identity in mental health. Being depressed and being a depressed person is a very different implication!
    - ghostpepper 4y ago
      In case it wasn't clear from my post above, this is me asking.