“Therapy-speak can be a way for someone to try and elevate themselves above others.”
(While the term is new, the concept is not.
You might also know it as psychobabble.)
Some folks apply the clinical jargon incorrectly because they dont understand some of the complexities or nuances.
Othersweaponize these termsas a way to shut down thorny conversations, avoid responsibility or control others.
However, misusing these terms can have negative implications that well dive into more below.
Gaslighting
Gaslightingis one of the most commonly misused terms, according to experts.
Sometimes behaviors that are labeled gaslighting are actually genuine disagreements, misunderstandings or typical relationship conflicts, Jackson added.
Some folks may say theyre triggered as a tactic to end a conversation.
It can lead to long-lasting emotional, psychological and physical effects.
Relatedly, the term trauma bonding is often used inaccurately.
This is a manipulation tactic resting on an imbalance of power within the relationship, he said.
This is quite different from the way you typically see trauma bonding discussed on social media.
Narcissist
Discussions about narcissism are everywhere these days the topic has even been coveredquite a bit on HuffPost.
Colloquially, narcissist has become a catchall to describe a person you dont like, she added.
Therapists dont actually refer to people as narcissists, Morin said.
Instead, they may talk about someone who has narcissistic personality disorder.
Boundaries
Setting boundaries is about honoring your own needs; its not about controlling someone elses behavior.
Lets say youre an early riser whos in a relationship with a night owl.
But telling your partner that they cant go either?
Thats more of a rule than a healthy boundary.
6.Validation
To validate someones emotions or experience involves hearing them and expressing that you understand their perspective.
But that doesnt mean you have to co-sign what theyre saying.
Many people misuse the term to demand that others validate their experiences or feelings by agreeing with them.
This is a subtle but very powerful difference.
Not all forms of disagreement are invalidating, she added.
As you might expect, this can be harmful to the health of the relationship.
Most people dont want to be analyzed, corrected repeatedly or given warnings about their behavior.
It dilutes the true meaning of those terms and concepts, she said.
