The fine line between “I am depressed” and “I have depression”...

Every now and then, we hear people saying “I have diabetes” or “I have fever” in their day-to-day interactions, however, when it comes to conditions and illnesses pertaining to mental health, we hear “I?am?depressed” way more often than “I?have?depression”, or “I?am?bipolar” instead of “I?have?bipolar disorder”. The moment we choose the word ‘am’ with a diagnosis or illness, we automatically form a sense of connection with it. We attach our self and identity with the diagnosis; the illness becomes a part of?who we are. On the other hand, when you choose to say that you ‘have’ an illness, you have a sense of detachment from the illness, which therefore, does not attach labels to your individuality, uniqueness and idiosyncrasies as a person. It is extremely imperative to maintain this boundary with the label, instead of becoming the label ourselves.?

Considering the long-drawn taboo and stigma associated with mental health and illnesses, the kind of language and articulation we use to discuss conditions and diagnosis, of ourselves as well as those of others, becomes an extremely crucial concern. There is huge stigmatization of mental illnesses as compared to physical illnesses, which is why it becomes all the more necessary to choose our words wisely. Saying “I?am?diabetic” instead of “I?have?diabetes” may not lead to any judgements, stigmas, or prejudices, but saying “I?am?schizophrenic” instead of “I?have?schizophrenia” might. It is important to realize that mental health conditions are only one part of who we are, and not?us?as a whole.

Especially when it comes to mental wellbeing, it is about time we advocate the idea that?you are not your illness, and just like one develops fevers and infections and tumors, one may struggle with a mental health condition. Calling a person by a label, or by their diagnosis, is?dehumanizing?and often overpowers the countless other things that the person is, or is capable of. Coming from a place of not being aware and mindful about such things, when we call a person ‘bipolar’, or ‘psychotic’, or ‘anorexic’, we tend to not realize the kind of impact our words may have on the person as well as the society in general. Such labels exert strong influences on the person’s personal, social, as well as occupational lives and hinders with their potential and opportunities to lead a healthier and fuller life.?

Diagnostic labels often take away the individual’s uniqueness and specialness and reduces them to a generic category, which is both unfair and insensitive. It’s about time we actively work towards the stigma that comes with mental illnesses, have more open conversations around them and choose our words judiciously.?:)