Everyday Language
and Clinical Diagnosis
in Depression
and Anxiety
Jenna Hannan, OTS & Amanda Gilroy, OTSThomas Jefferson University
Department of Occupational TherapyPhiladelphia, PA, USA
Objectives
● Compare everyday language used to describe 2 mental health conditions with definitions of the clinical diagnoses (major depression and generalized anxiety disorder)
● Discuss myths and facts about depression and anxiety disorders
● Describe importance of word choices in talking about mental health
Why is Language Important?
● Language shapes how we see the world
● Words can make us feel good and they can cause us to feel bad
● We have a choice in the words we use to describe ourselves, others and the world around us.
● These choices have a powerful effect on how we view mental health and people with mental health conditions
Example 1: Major Depressive
disorder
Everyday language
•“I’m so depressed”•“I’m worried about her, she’s seems so ‘down’ all the time”
DSM-V definition:
▪ 9 criteria, must meet 5/9 to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder
Major Depressive Disorder: Must have 5/9 of the symptoms below
• Depressed or irritable most of the day, nearly every day
• Decreased interest or pleasure in most activities
• Big changes in weight or appetite• Changes in sleep• Changes in activity (more/less active than
usual)• Fatigue or loss of energy • Feeling guilty or worthless• Hard time focusing/concentrating• Suicidal thoughts or plans
Myths and Facts
● Myth: Depression that severely interferes with a person’s everyday life is very rare.
● Fact: Depression is a leading cause of disability in America and affects over 350 million people worldwide (WHO, 2012)
● Myth: People can control their depression and “snap out of it” if they want to
● Fact: People with depression benefit from treatment Medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) benefit most people (Mayo Clinic, 2015)
Example 2: Generalized Anxiety
disorder
Everyday language:
•“I’m so anxious about my presentation today.”
•“She seems so worried all the time.”
DSM-V definition:
▪ 6 criteria, must meet 3/6 to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Must have 3/6 of the symptoms below
● Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on
edge
● Being easily fatigued
● Difficulty concentrating or mind going
blank
● Irritability
● Muscle tension
● Sleep disturbances (falling or staying
asleep)
Myths and Facts
• Myth: Anxiety disorders are not very common.
• Fact: About 18 percent of American adults - nearly one in five - experience some type of anxiety disorder in any given year (NIMH, 2013).
• Myth: If you have an anxiety disorder, it is important to avoid stress and situations that make you feel “stressed.”
• Fact: Avoiding anxiety tends to reinforce it. People can be anxious and still do whatever they have to do with proper treatment (ADAA, 2014).
Summary
Today we discussed:• Depression vs. Clinical
Depression• Anxiety vs. Generalized
Anxiety Disorder• The importance of word choice
when discussing mental health
Discussion
• What comments do you have about the topics presented today?
• Of the things we discussed, what was the most surprising to you?
• Any “take-home messages” for youpersonally or to share with others?
ReferencesCommon Fabrications, Fibs, and Folklore About Anxiety. (2014, January 15). In
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Retrieved from http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/myth-concep tions
Criteria for Major Depressive Episode: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition/ Edited by the American Psychiatric Association (n.d.) Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Goldberg, J. (2012, September 14). Is it Depression or Just the Blues?. In Depression Health Center. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/depression/is-it-depression-or-the-blues
Hall-Flavin, D. K. (2014, March 5). Major Depressive Disorder. In Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/clinical-depression/faq-20057770r
Language Matters in Mental Health (n.d.). In Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Retrieved from http://www.hogg.utexas.edu/initiatives/language_matters.html
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). In Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1anyanx_adult.shtm