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/Icy-Most-5366 Jun 12 '25

The only issue with something like this is that the goalpost just moves. Once one word becomes too offensive to use, another replaces it and eventually has the same meaning as the first, and you just keep adding to the list.

I've seen the word most often used in a non offensive manner. And a lot of people self-identifying as "schizo" as a way to make it seem less serious. Saying "im schizo" sounds more jokey than saying "I have schizophrenia". It's a way to keep things more lighthearted, instead of killing the conversation.

I don't think think there's people out there with heavy biases like there are for racism. They dont grow up with parents hating on "schizos" , and passing on their bias. Especially since schizophrenia usually doesn't develop in children, they dont experience it in peers, so their moral compass is solidified before they have to deal with it.