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By Andrea Lanier, Group Facilitator
...the young Harvard-educated teacher proudly declared and laughed at the dinner party I recently attended. She was referring to students with mental disorders she might pass in the hall. I regret that I failed to educate her in my desire not to offend - swallowing hard on the offense taken. "Please, do not say that," I had wanted to say. Knowing the kind of pain this word and the attitudes it represents so often cause.
"What makes you think that you can really 'spot crazy anywhere', and what is your definition and concept of 'crazy'?" I had wanted to ask. Only a moment ago, she had explained how upset she had been about other people's use of the word 'nigger' (there, I did agree with her). But she'd lacked the imagination that - by common definition - she might just have had 'crazy' at her table, or persons sympathetic to individuals thus labeled.
'Crazy' is a very harmful word not in itself - words are meaningless until we attach meaning to them, but in the attitudes it conveys. While in this society, four-letter words are frowned upon, and not usually used at dinner parties, 'crazy' is commonly accepted - just one letter more. 'Crazy' means ignorance on the part of the user, and it means pain, stigma, and discrimination for those toward whom it is directed. The word crazy is so common in our language that I have used it, too - not with ill intent, never in regards to persons with mental disorders - but merely to attach an adjective to something 'not normal'.
It has been my experience that many people unjustly regard as 'crazy' anyone who is simply different from others, anyone who seeks psychotherapy, and anyone who suffers from any mental disorder or illness. For some reason, people "ignore" that mentally ill persons can understand what is being said about them. Translated, 'crazy' means abnormal, undesirable, weak, inferior, not-to-be-trusted, and bad. 'Crazy' is thus understood by all toward which it is directed, and being labeled 'crazy' is not only painful in the message it conveys, but also harmful.
The consequences of the use of this label are harmful far beyond being painful. Applying the label crazy to individuals suffering from mental disorders, instead of being sympathetic with them, perpetuates the stigma against persons with mental disorders/illnesses and against psychotherapy in this society. Fear of this label hinders many persons from getting the treatment they need to develop and maintain their mental and physical health, and the sense of well being they deserve. Consequently, persons thus deprived of treatment will continue to suffer from their disorders, and along with them their families and friends. And as a society, we lose healthy, functional persons that are prevented from contributing to their fullest potential.
In closing this article, I have contemplated: Should I now tell you about all my friends and acquaintances, or should I tell you about myself? I could tell you about so many I know, who still have not been treated for disorders for which treatment promises a high rate of success, out of fear of the stigma, out of fear of being called 'crazy.'...or my friend's husband, who has threatened to leave her, take the kids from her, to prevent her from seeking help for her minor disorder. But - in spite of some concern about being called 'crazy', I should tell about myself. Raised to be afraid of "what the neighbors might say," I have lived with an anxiety disorder - a minor, highly treatable disorder, but involving much suffering - for decades before getting treatment. Today, I see this treatment - and the disorder - as the best things that have ever happened to me. With excellent therapy, I have turned my life around. Today, I truly love my life, and I have set out to try and help other people do the same.
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