The Problem with Therapy Speak
Painting by Joseph Yaeger I'm not a therapy hater. I think there are times when therapy is really important and is a really great resource for people. However, in the modern day and age, mental illness and "therapy speak" have become so normalized that they've slipped into everyday language and life. In the modern day and age, depression rates are higher than they've ever been. However, Gen Z also has the highest rates of self-diagnosis. Do I think some of these people are truly depressed in a way that interferes with their everyday function? Yes. Do I also think that it's a little strange that self-diagnosis and skyrocketing depression and anxiety correlate? Yes. Do I think it's likely that a lot of the people who self-diagnose aren't actually experiencing a mental illness? Absolutely. But so what? Is it really that bad if a few too many people claim to be depressed? It certainly isn't ideal. The overuse of therapeutic language diminishes actual ...
