Girlfriend Keeps Misusing Terms

[Weremonks]

So, I've been in a relationship with this girls now for about two months or so, and things are going ok, but one thing that is kind of upsetting me is the fact that she'll misuse terms related to mental health. She's opened up to me about some of her problems, and she goes to therapy, so I'd assume she's know the difference between things like getting stressed and being triggered. The only thing that's caused me to believe she's misquoting those two is because she keeps talking about her English class being triggering, and one day she explained it a lite by saying something along the lines of "the guys in the class just want to talk about their problems and it triggers me because I've always just kept my problems in and have had the belief not to share them with any one." To me, that seems more like stress which causes her social anxiety to flare up than it does trigger feelings/memories related to a traumatic event. I don't know whether or not it'd be a good idea to bring up the fact that I think she's misusing the terms though, because I don't want to insult her knowledge at all, but at the same time it's bugging me when she misspeaks. Any ideas on a happy medium I might be able to find with her?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Most people confuse the two. I'd file this one in the "its your issue, so let it go" category. Think about it this way, what harm does it do if she accidentally describes something as a trigger and its actually a stressor? In the grand scheme of things, this is about a zero. If you are going to let the little things bother you (and yes, this is a little thing) then I'd say you're not cut out to be a supporter and maybe you should let her go.

 

[Sighs]

There is a thread on the forum which refers to dissociation when what the supporter is actually referring to is her sufferer withdrawing from her. (Or at least that is my understanding from reading it - I could be wrong.) My point is that no-one has picked her up on it because she is clearly distressed and reaching out for support. Your girlfriend is opening up to you about some things in her life that cause her emotional pain and you are "upset" / irritated because she hasn't got her terminology right? Really? That's the issue for you?

Maybe now is not a good time for you to be in a relationship. Or maybe she is not the right person for you.

 

[Island girl]

If you look for faults, then faults you will always find.

Be thankful she is opening up to you and making herself vulnerable and giving you complete honesty

Is looking for spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation mistakes in a person more important? Than character traits such honesty, kindness, sincerity?

Sighs is right, maybe you're not ready to be in a relationship/ or are with the wrong person/ or maybe you are pushing her away due to unresolved issues

 

[Lucycat]

I am a pedant and get easily irritated by the mis-use of words. I do think the correct use of language is very important - to me. I would be a good proof-reader as, if there is a grammatical or spelling error, it will jump off the page at me. I have to hold my tongue as people don't like to be told they are wrong - particularly your partner!

I think if you understand what your friend means then leave it at that. Try not to correct her. In my experience that is never appreciated and can lead to offense.