This article explores the debate surrounding why words such as crazy and insane should potentially not be used to describe negative situations. 

Lots of words have fallen out of use over the years or had their meanings changed. Some words, such as slut, have been reclaimed. Others, such as gay and queer, have had an evolution of meanings. The terms were initially not related to sexuality before being used as an insult to then being terms used to describe one’s sexuality. Meanwhile, it’s largely unacceptable now to call people words such as fag or retard as a form of insult. With the evolution of words constantly changing and people becoming aware of the impact of what they say, why do many people think it’s still acceptable to call people crazy and insane?

Mental illness is widely prevalent. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that 1 in 5 adults in the United States experiences mental illness annually, with 1 in 20 cases classified as serious. Additionally, 1 in 6 youth in the United States aged 6-17 experience mental health disorders annually, while suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-34. Mental illness is not something that merely causes mental distress for an individual. It has ripple effects on one’s physical health, family, friends, and community at large. It’s estimated that almost half of the US population will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime.

Chances are that you or a loved one will experience a mental illness at some point. Mental illnesses are something that directly impacts our lives and the lives of people around us. I emphasize these points because that is where terms such as crazy and insane come into play. When such words are used as descriptors for negative emotions or directed as insults, stigmas about mental health are reinforced. People call others crazy because they dislike what they’re saying or think the other person is behaving out of line, but in turn, they’re reinforcing the idea that being mentally unwell is negative.

There are multiple sides to every discussion. Yes, it sounds extreme to think that simply saying “that’s crazy” can reinforce negative stigmas. Uttering such statements is often a reflex for many people, myself included. However, we can challenge ourselves to be more conscientious of what words we use and more aware of the impact of our word choices. Consider this: what are you trying to say when you use words such as crazy or insane? These terms are kind of like the word interesting. You’re saying something just to say it because you’re not really saying anything. Rather than say someone or something is crazy, consider describing what you feel about the person or situation. Was something unexpected or someone rude? It isn’t hard to find a more accurate way to express your emotions that don’t have negative implications.

Yes, people have become far more sensitive about word choices. No, we cannot monitor what everyone says. Also, everyone doesn’t have to agree that a word should stop being used. My opinion on words such as crazy and insane don’t have to stop you from using those words. However, we need to consider what we are reinforcing with the way we speak. Our language and word choices have implications. The words we choose to say reflect ourselves, our communities, and our beliefs. We need to be aware of what we are enforcing and who we are othering through how we speak. Creating a negative perception around terms such as crazy or insane contributes more stigmatization to something already heavily judged.

Banning or limiting the word crazy as an insult is being sensitive. But maybe it’s warranted to be sensitive given the prevalence of mental illnesses and the high rates of self-harm, suicide, and negative self-perceptions among people who experience mental illnesses. Mental illnesses continue to be highly stigmatizing. Despite enormous efforts to normalize them, there are still many prevailing stigmas and stereotypes that isolate people who experience mental illnesses and keep them from receiving potentially life-saving help. Not only is calling someone crazy a weak descriptive term, but it is also dismissive. Why do people have to be labeled crazy for sharing their emotions or reactions? Who are we to judge what’s normal?

We don’t need to tell people they are mentally unwell because we disagree with their opinions. We also don’t need to categorize being unwell as something linked to judgment and negativity. Mental illnesses are an unfortunate reality of life for many people. We can do our part to de-stigmatize mental illnesses by reevaluating our word choices. Consider the impact your words have and their underlying implications next time you want to call someone crazy or insane.