Use Of The Term "sufferer"

[lala]

Why do people on this website feel it is appropriate to refer to people diagnosed with PTSD as "sufferers"? While I agree that is an appropriate description of the PTSD experience at times, it seems rather dehumanizing and dis-empowering to me.

I am not a PTSD "sufferer." I am a person who lives with PTSD. I am a person before my PTSD and I refuse to call myself a "sufferer."

If you want a zingy one-termer, how about "diagnosed"? Still lacking in the humanity department, but it least it doesn't imply that having PTSD means being confined to a prison of suffering.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Thoughts?

 

[Abstract]

lala, this has been discussed before actually and you are not alone. Not at all fond of it myself I have to say. :yuck: However I just see it as an easy short cut to differentiating which one of the two main types of members one falls into and therefore just zone it out. An acceptable alternative is tricky.

I think if I was a friend or family member of someone with PTSD I would also feel uncomfortable with the word "supporter".

 

[Barberian]

Why do people...

This site also supports those who have not been "diagnosed" yet. They may be in the process of seeking mental health diagnosis. Just a guess, as I'm not admin, nor speak for the site.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Since 'diagnosed' can't work (as Barbarian pointed out)...what exactly would you want this website to use instead?

 

[cherryblossom]

I am a person before my PTSD and I refuse to call myself a "sufferer."

That is your prerogative. But as others have pointed out. How else do you describe someone who has PTSD symptoms, and likely 'suffers' as a result?

I have PTSD, I live with my PTSD, and I manage my PTSD symptoms pretty well. I know exactly where I am with regards to my illness, recovery, symptom management etc. But at the same time I have have no issue with calling myself a sufferer of PTSD for ease of clarification on this site and elsewhere in real life.

 

[The Albatross]

No you are not the only person that has ever felt that way. But I would counter with, what are you avoiding in your life when you might rather vent your consternation about a term?

Call it whatever you like but dehumanizing or dis-empowering is your own perception and is an affront by it's use only within the context of your preference/belief system. Personally, I prefer survivor... though that term has also been debated with mixed preferences. In the end, offense to a term is a choice, and if I make a choice to let it be an annoyance it will be.

I choose, though, personally, not to split hairs because it is not in my own best interests in the longer term and only serves to drive angst where there doesn't need to be any. I'm more prone to going along with the group than I was in the past, because that's where my recovery is.

 

[lala]

Interesting replies, my question appears to have touched a nerve with some...

No, I am not avoiding dealing with my own issues by taking issue with a term.

This type of language is something that has long bothered me about the mental health field. As a rehab professional I am aware of the movement of "person first language" in discussing disabilities. It is no longer acceptable to refer to people with physical disabilities by the disability. IE: We no longer say "cripple" "invalid" "quadrapalegic" because the goal is to not define a person by the disability.

However, like most progress, this seems to have not touched the mental health field where it remains acceptable to quantify people as "schizophrenic" "bi-polar" and yes "sufferer."

Perhaps there is no good one word term. I personally would rather type 3 words for accuracy than simplify to a not always appropriate one-liner.

My issue is that the word implies living with PTSD must always include suffering. Which I do not believe is true.

Further, I do not believe having a different opinion precludes "getting along with the group" as different opinions are the spice of life and the place where growth and social change happen. Having a different opinion does not only "drive angst" but also facilitates growth. Perhaps that's just where I am in my recovery!

 

[Nicolette]

Been here, done this debate.....

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ptsd-forum-naming-conventions-sufferer-carer-survivor-supporter-vote-now.15304/[/DLMURL]

 

[Hashi]

So, which do we respond to? Since this thread isn't locked...

Personally, I'd quite like it if we were all called "recoverers", but I may well be alone in that and think sufferer is probably the next best.

What bothers me is when an entire post in the supporter section, including title, refers only to "they". eg "Do they ever get better?"

 

[lala]

Just because it has been discussed before, does not mean it isn't worth discussing. If you have been there, done that and aren't interested, Why reply to this thread?

Thanks for the link though.

 

[Nicolette]

I started this thread for that reason.

The titles here on the forum have been agreed and settled upon with member input. I don't believe they currently are up again for debate.

If you would like to effect change here post your request at the Help Desk please and take it up with Anthony.

Otherwise, discuss but please be aware that if this thread starts to vary into an agenda from a 'discussion' it will be closed. Just because you weren't here at the time it was decided doesn't mean that you are welcome to re-hash forum matters already addressed.

 

[lala]

I didn't realize there was so much hostility around this topic or in this forum. I thought it was a supportive environment. As I am "not welcome to rehash forum matters already discussed" per an administrator of this site, I will take my discussion and look for my support elsewhere.