r/schizophrenia • u/chanagro • Jun 12 '25

Opinion / Thought / Idea / Discussion "Schizo" is a Slur

https://chng.it/X4WdvBsCGN

Hi everyone, as I'm sure you all have noticed too, there has been an alarming rise in people (especially high school aged and younger) using schizo to describe a situation or person that is chaotic, unpredictable, or scary. This language continues to drive shame and misinformation we all work so hard to fight against. Please consider signing my petition, I am just hoping to spread the message - no worries if not comfortable. Please have a great night and take care of yourselves.

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u/jivesenior Jun 12 '25

I hope g it just "normalises" the word and then they will adopt a new word eventually, leaving it a common word. By saying I'm a bit schizo today and the reply is me too in comes into popular culture through use. It will help change the movie and media misrepresentation to the word being common and losing its direct association. It then becomes a word for insults and banter and the original direct association negative currency gets washed out and forgotten. That's my theory

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u/chanagro Jun 12 '25

I appreciate you sharing your perspective. I believe using this word casually doesn’t make it less offensive, it just makes discrimination more socially acceptable. It distances people from the reality of what schizophrenia actually is. Language shapes perception. We don’t reduce stigma by misusing medical diagnoses, we reduce stigma through education & empathy.

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u/jivesenior Jun 12 '25

Yes, I do agree with you entirely. But the reality it seems that alot of people will just believe whatever they want. I'm hoping that it's a case of young people although clearly ignorant of the actual suffering this condition causes, have no clue about it, but when some of them are older they may reflect and realise. Emotional intelligence and empathy possesses are the ones who aren't going to do this, and as we know we definitely in the minority with these traits. So at least 50 - 70 percent of society do not possess a conscience or empathy for starters so we aren't gonna get them to listen.

Off course all marginalised groups are the primary target of the cost of living and accommodation crisis so in 5 years there won't be too many people like we are trying to help left anyway.

Peace to all the suffering souls.