The power of language: use in psychiatry

Rif S El-Mallakh; Sabine Doenninghaus

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.156737

The power of language: use in psychiatry

Br J Psychiatry. 2016 Jan;208(1):7-8. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.156737.

Authors

Rif S El-Mallakh¹, Sabine Doenninghaus²

Affiliations

¹ Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD, Sabine Doenninghaus, PhD, Mood Disorders Research Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA rselma01@louisville.edu.
² Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD, Sabine Doenninghaus, PhD, Mood Disorders Research Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

PMID: 26729839
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.156737

Abstract

Language dictates how individuals process and understand concepts. This phenomenon is examined for the terms 'antipsychotic' and 'antidepressant'. When the use of medications is extended in new directions (for example when an antipsychotic is used as an antidepressant), the name not only loses its utility, but may become an obstacle to treatment. Clinicians need to be aware of these issues.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Antidepressive Agents*
Antipsychotic Agents*
Language*
Psychiatry / standards*
Terminology as Topic*

Substances

Antidepressive Agents
Antipsychotic Agents