"Psychobabble" and language of psychology

Hi, first-time poster here. I noticed this section of the forum and wanted to ask a question. I have a lot of experience in the psych field, most of it as a patient or subject, a little bit from the other side as a counselor and student of psychology. I personally feel that most of the language of psychology can often be cold, impersonal, objectifying, overly technical, and sometimes just degrading. It is especially worrisome when I find myself using a psychologist's technical language to describe my own extremely personal experiences. I see a lot of other people doing this as well, and frankly it makes me cringe. The difference in people, especially young people, from before they learn psych lingo and after they learn the lingo is rather telling. They start to use the words of the people who are not experiencing these intense emotions, instead of using their own language. They start to view themselves in someone else's eyes, someone who is earning money from doing this. I find this disturbing.

short version:
Isn't it oppressive to talk about your most personal emotional inner experiences in cold technical psychobabble, rather than your own intuitive words and language?

Yeah I know what you mean. But I think it serves a purpose. Its kinda a short hand version of describing the general condition and symptoms of a patient. And it is only general. It doesn't give all the details of an individual. I like that. So when the doctor walks into the nurses station and speaks about me as his patient, he gives less personal info and not what I have shared with him and not saying something I have not given him permission to say. I see it as protecting confidentiality.
Anyone in the Mental Health Profession also needs a way to distance themselves from all that they hear. Clinical terms may help with this too. I don't think anyone could do the job they do without getting a little callous. I would hate it if they got to really get creative in what they label us. I cannot even imagine the words they could use to describe me!
With hope,
O

>> short version:
>> Isn't it oppressive to talk about your most personal emotional inner experiences in cold technical psychobabble, rather than
>> your own intuitive words and language?

I think a bigger problem is that folks simply don't have any intuitive words or language to express what they are going through.

I know that's how it was (in fact still is ) for me -- experiences that I have no words to describe.
"What does it feel like?" is asked, and my only possible honest answer is "I don't know."
An answer that typically causes professionals to send non-verbal cues to indicate that such answer is unwelcome.

on brave girl wrote:Yeah I know what you mean. But I think it serves a purpose. Its kinda a short hand version of describing the general condition and symptoms of a patient. And it is only general. It doesn't give all the details of an individual. I like that. So when the doctor walks into the nurses station and speaks about me as his patient, he gives less personal info and not what I have shared with him and not saying something I have not given him permission to say. I see it as protecting confidentiality.
Anyone in the Mental Health Profession also needs a way to distance themselves from all that they hear. Clinical terms may help with this too. I don't think anyone could do the job they do without getting a little callous. I would hate it if they got to really get creative in what they label us. I cannot even imagine the words they could use to describe me!
With hope,
O

Its kinda a short hand version of describing the general condition and symptoms of a patient. And it is only general. It doesn't give all the details of an individual.

Hmm; My first Shrink back in early 2003 in my first talk with him sat me down informally at the end of a corridor in a psyche ward. No privacy whatsoever with other psyche patients a short stone throw who could easily listen in if they chose to.
Besides the Psychiatrist and myself a psyche Nurse sat beside me taking notes. Before the psychiatrist addressed me, he began this psychobabble conversation with the Nurse before making reference to me.

Rather ignoramus if you ask me. As he began addressing me I interrupted and asked why the nurse was present?
He blurted out forcefully "Because I asked her here". I replied; So what about patient doctor confidentiality?
He made some slur remark. I told him unless the nurse leaves we don't talk. Perhaps the nurse was slightly embarrassed, but I certainly didn't deserve to be treated with his over-bearing attitude. Why the intimidation and indifference?
I didn't stay long after I got out six weeks later in the psyche-ward with this Shrink.

Terminology is important when you want everyone to know what you mean.

Things and their associated words are quite different. So you can either choose to use a vague personal term which may have half a dozen social connotations, or you can use one strictly defined term so people know what you are trying to say. If you choose to take the former, don't be surprised if people get confused or don't understand you, they have no idea what personalized connotation you may have, and it is especially tricky if you don't even know how to say it.

You can use whatever words you want. But some times expecting people to understand your words with the meaning you intend them to actually have, is expecting the impossible.