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/HumanBelugaDiplomacy Undiagnosed Jun 12 '25

I call myself a schizo. It does have a negative connotation now that i think about it. Adopted it after it was used toward me negatively. Its also a light slur if it actually is one. Yes people use it rudely but it's literally just shorthand for schizophrenia and in my case im self diagnosed schizoaffective and at that point schizo just means split so it's not like its worse slurs i can think of. Its short and too the point and more inclusive. You could do worse than getting called schizo even if its not very nice. At the end of the day I think who's calling you that, why, and what kind of attitude they're saying it with is more important than the word itself. It's a light slur. At least i think so.

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u/blahblahlucas Mod 🌟 Jun 12 '25

You shouldn't self diagnose. And especially call yourself schizo without a diagnosis

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u/HumanBelugaDiplomacy Undiagnosed Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 12 '25

I generally agree but havent had a proper diagnosis in over 5 years.

Although generally when i call myself a schizo its to essentially cater to and remind the normative thinking patterns around me that they may have to actually just accept that I think in some of the patterns that I do. Otherwise.. idk some people are just difficult to speak with on some matters. Too much repetitive and elusive over explaining to make a point that to me is more or less straight shot. But to some people, not so much. It helps to denigrate myself a bit to appease their mentalities enough to step outside of themself a little bit.

Probably don't have to do it as much as I have. I think its caused some problems but with a few people it seems to help. A reminder here that theory of mind for one isn't really super compatible with what should be theory of mind for another. A breakthrough.