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

Depression vs Sadness

Think about language...

An example:

“I’m so depressed.”

vs.

“I feel sad today.”

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)

Anxiousness vs. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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