If everything is traumatic, is anything traumatic? The power of labels

In this episode of All In The Mind, host Sana Qadar interviews Professor Nick Haslam about the concept of "concept creep," which refers to the broadening of definitions of harm-related terms like trauma, bullying, and mental illness. They discuss the potential benefits, such as increased awareness and support for those experiencing milder forms of distress, as well as the drawbacks, including the trivialization of serious conditions and the potential for individuals to feel more fragile and less capable of coping with adversity. Haslam shares research findings on how diagnostic labels can lead to increased empathy but also lower expectations for recovery. The conversation explores the factors driving concept creep, including the role of social media, the DSM, and the increasing attention given to mental health, and concludes with a discussion on how individuals should approach talking about their struggles and the potential for a future pullback from the overuse of diagnostic language.