# People who misuse psychiatric terms **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 4, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147 "2004-09-04T21:59:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ronnie\_James\_Dio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@Ronnie\_James\_Dio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronnie_James_Dio)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/1 "2004-09-04T21:59:12Z")
Why does the general public continue to abuse the word “schizophrenia”? This is one of the most annoying habits I have ever encountered. Whats worse is that the misuse of this word is common in professional and reputable outlets like newspapers and magazines. I’ve seen countless prestigious writers reach for this term as a metaphor in the completely wrong sense. SCHIZOPHRENIA IS NOT MULTIPLE PERSONALITY YOU FUCKERS. Please stop. Another butchering is “antisocial”. Almost every layman seems to think antisocial is synonymous with shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction. This too is HIGHLY ANNOYING. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/2 "2004-09-04T22:21:49Z")
Well, schizophrenia is derived from the greek words meaning “split mind”, so that’s probably where the confusion arose. I agree, though, that people do misuse the term(s) frequently. Strangely enough (or so I always thought), Schizophrenia is really close to (symptomatically) Bipolar Disorder (aka Manic Depressive). Another thing that bugs me is how people interchange “psychiatry” and “psychology”. The difference between a “psychiatrist” and a “psychologist” is that one of them (psychiatrist) can prescribe medicine (has a medical degree). LilShieste Oh, and welcome to the SDMB, you bastard. 😉 (obligatory Pit-related insult) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/3 "2004-09-04T22:25:47Z")
> [@Ronnie James Dio](#): > > Why does the general public continue to abuse the word “schizophrenia”? This is one of the most annoying habits I have ever encountered. Whats worse is that the misuse of this word is common in professional and reputable outlets like newspapers and magazines. I’ve seen countless prestigious writers reach for this term as a metaphor in the completely wrong sense. > > SCHIZOPHRENIA IS NOT MULTIPLE PERSONALITY YOU FUCKERS. Please stop. > > Another butchering is “antisocial”. Almost every layman seems to think antisocial is synonymous with shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction. This too is HIGHLY ANNOYING. So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/4 "2004-09-04T22:32:14Z")
> [@astro](#): > > So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? I can certainly assure you that people suffering from “Antisocial Personality Disorder” will fit this definition. You just have to imagine this definition taken to a very large extreme (you know… someone throwing bricks at random passer-bys on the street, because hurting people makes him feel good). I am guessing that what grabs **RJD** ’s goat is that the general public’s view of ASD is probably more like “Anxiety Disorder”, in reality. LilShieste ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/5 "2004-09-04T22:32:52Z")
> [@astro](#): > > So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? I believe “anti-social” is usually used to describe sociopaths or people who have criminal inclinations. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/6 "2004-09-04T22:37:24Z")
The use of ‘schizophrenic’ to mean anything disparate or disjointed pisses me off no end. > [@LilShieste](#): > > Well, schizophrenia is derived from the greek words meaning “split mind”, so that’s probably where the confusion arose. The best explanation of this that I’ve heard is that schizophrenia is a ‘horizontal’ split mind, and multiple-personality a ‘vertical’ one. Makes sense to me, anyway 😉 > [@](#): > > Strangely enough (or so I always thought), Schizophrenia is really close to (symptomatically) Bipolar Disorder (aka Manic Depressive). Common symptomatic traits can be found in most psychiatric illnesses. However, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are very separate disorders. > [@astro](#): > > So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? The DSM-IV critera for Antisocial Personality Disorder include the following: > [@](#): > > - failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest > - deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure > - impulsivity or failure to plan ahead > - irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults > - reckless disregard for safety of self or others > - consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations > - lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another In other words, closer to being synonymous with _sociopathic_ than with _unsocial_. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/7 "2004-09-04T22:38:07Z")
> [@astro](#): > > So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? It’s the really aggresive types, the kind that doesn’t follow social norms. Not the, “why doesn’t little billy talk to anyone”, more like, “why does little billy keep blowing up peoples mailboxes?” Like that. Constant abusers, thiefs, criminals… Also with schizophrenia. A lot of people seem to say schizo and mean it to be schizophrenia. Schizo really means schizoid, and is completely different then schizophrenia, even though they both have ‘schizo’ in the prefix, IIRC. Reading the DSM sure is fun kids! I also hate it when my friends start labeling people with Bi-Polar when someone does something crazy. People, everybody is gonna do something crazy everynow and again, let it go… It doesn’t mean that they are Bi-Polar. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/8 "2004-09-04T22:38:17Z")
> [@astro](#): > > So what does “anti-social” mean in psychiatric parlance if not “shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction”? In psychiatric parlance, “anti-social” refers to an absolute, maladaptive, and pathalogical disregard for the rights of others and the very basic tenets of the social contract that make the whole thing workable. Serial killers. “Psycho-paths.” Jessica Simpson. (Why else would she make the music that she does?) Very often, these people just don’t give a fuck about others thoughts, feelings, or condition, but in turn aren’t shy, can be very friendly in obtaining something that they want, and are often described as “charming” or even just nice and very polite. People that suffer from a gamut of other social-anxiety or adaptation disorders like Asperger’s or autism typically care a great deal about the opinions that others hold of them, but just have some trouble getting there. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/9 "2004-09-04T22:40:02Z")
Actually, I should clarify. “Anti-social” doesn’t necessarily mean that just by itself, but in terms of Anti-Social Personality Disorder it does. Asocial is a a prefered generic term for “loner” behavior that isn’t as social as outgoing as other might expect, but who are we to judge what the correct level of social interaction needs to be? ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/10 "2004-09-04T22:42:28Z")
I know this isn’t a pshychiatric term, but do you mind if I put it in here? PenisBull was a philosophy major, so he has imparted his pet-peevishness about this one onto me. It is the term “begging the question”. I’m sure you know how most people use it, and I can’t blame them, it does look like it’s supposed to mean “one conclusion that seems to lead to another question”. But in fact: “To [beg the question](http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1048853/posts) is to assume the truth of what one seeks to prove, in the effort to prove it.” ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/11 "2004-09-04T22:42:30Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Common symptomatic traits can be found in most psychiatric illnesses. However, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are very separate disorders. I agree. I was only wanting to point out that Bipolar is _very often_ misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia. And talking about all of these reminds me of a little joke, from my clinical psych professor: – Neurotics build castles in the sky – Psychotics live in them – Psychologists collect the rent LilShieste ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/12 "2004-09-04T22:45:02Z")
I like that joke! ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/13 "2004-09-04T22:47:21Z")
> [@LilShieste](#): > > I agree. I was only wanting to point out that Bipolar is _very often_ misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia. A very good point. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/14 "2004-09-04T22:57:14Z")
> [@Ronnie James Dio](#): > > Another butchering is “antisocial”. Almost every layman seems to think antisocial is synonymous with shy, unfriendly, and unskilled in social interaction. This too is HIGHLY ANNOYING. So you’re pissed off because mental help professionals choose to use an extremely narrow contextual definition of “anti-social” for the purposes of assigning a behavioral metric, and it’s _laymen’s fault_ that they aren’t clued into this narrowly constructed terminology. Umm… yeah. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/15 "2004-09-04T22:59:35Z")
> [@astro](#): > > So you’re pissed off because mental help professionals choose to use an extremely narrow contextual definition of “anti-social” for the purposes of assigning a behavioral metric, and it’s _laymen’s fault_ that they aren’t clued into this narrowly constructed terminology. Umm… yeah. No. As has already been pointed out several times, antisocial _does not mean_ asocial or unsocial. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/16 "2004-09-04T23:15:07Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > No. As has already been pointed out several times, antisocial _does not mean_ asocial or unsocial. To the reasonably intelligent man in the street “anti-social” can easly encompass the attitudinal and behavioral orientation of being exessively shy and unfriendly. To castigate people because they may assume that mental health prodfessionals might use it in a common-sensical definitional context is pressing righteous etymological outrage a bit too far IMO. ``` an-ti-so-cial (an tee soh'shuhl, an tie-) adj. 1. unwilling or unable to associate in a normal or friendly way with other people. 2. antagonistic, hostile, or unfriendly toward others. 3. opposed or detrimental to social order or the principles on which society is constituted: antisocial behavior. n. 4. a person exhibiting antisocial traits ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ronnie\_James\_Dio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@Ronnie\_James\_Dio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronnie_James_Dio)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/17 "2004-09-04T23:56:02Z")
> [@astro](#): > > To the reasonably intelligent man in the street “anti-social” can easly encompass the attitudinal and behavioral orientation of being exessively shy and unfriendly. To castigate people because they may assume that mental health prodfessionals might use it in a common-sensical definitional context is pressing righteous etymological outrage a bit too far IMO. The dictionary entry for antisocial is systematic of the problem. The term has been thrust into common usage with an entirely wrong definition, and this muddies the word. I blame the people perpetuating this improper definition with their ignorance. When a random person describes someone’s behavior as antisocial, one can’t know for sure what he is referring to. There is a proper way to use the word, and there is a wrong way. Astro, would you defend people who use phrases like “could care less” or “for all intensive purposes”? I thought this was the Straight Dope. We’re supposed to be fighting ignorance, not excusing it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/18 "2004-09-04T23:58:57Z")
It bugs me when people say “paranoid” when they mean just plain “suspicious.” Paranoia is a defined clinical pathology. By the same token, you shouldn’t call everyone who is cruel a “sadist” – it’s not sadism unless the impulse to inflict pain is linked to sexual gratification. ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/19 "2004-09-05T00:10:17Z")
> [@Ronnie James Dio](#): > > The dictionary entry for antisocial is systematic of the problem. The term has been thrust into common usage with an entirely wrong definition, and this muddies the word. I blame the people perpetuating this improper definition with their ignorance. When a random person describes someone’s behavior as antisocial, one can’t know for sure what he is referring to. > > There is a proper way to use the word, and there is a wrong way. > > Astro, would you defend people who use phrases like “could care less” or “for all intensive purposes”? > > I thought this was the Straight Dope. We’re supposed to be fighting ignorance, not excusing it. Err…except the common definition exists in my 1938 Webster’s Twentieth Century Dictionary (cite: my house. Stop by.). I am curious which of the DSMs has the word “antisocial” defined in it; to put that another way, when did the psychiatric field define the word? I suspect this word has been in common usage for a little longer than you think it has. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2004, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147/20 "2004-09-05T00:11:30Z")
> [@Ronnie James Dio](#): > > The dictionary entry for antisocial is systematic of the problem. I think you mean “symptomatic”. Sheesh. You’d think the guy who wrote the lyrics to such intelligently written songs as “Heaven and Hell” and “All the Fools Sailed Away” would have a better grasp of the English language. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-misuse-psychiatric-terms/263147.md?page=2)