If everything is traumatic, is anything traumatic? The power of labelsIf everything is traumatic, is anything traumatic? The power of labels
All In The Mind
We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health. But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too. Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours. We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative), and what it means for how we understand mental health conditions. This episode first aired in November 2024. Guest: Professor Nick Haslam Professor of Psychology, University of Melbourne Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Producer: Rose Kerr Senior producer: James Bullen Sound engineer: Simon Branthwaite You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. More information: Concept creep: Psychology's expanding concepts of harm and pathology
29:36•22 Nov 2025
The Power of Labels: Are We Overusing Mental Health Terms?
Episode Overview
- Mental health labels are being applied more broadly, impacting perceptions.
- Concept creep can lead to both increased empathy and reduced agency.
- Language evolution affects how we understand mental health conditions.
- Over-diagnosis may exaggerate severity and hinder recovery.
- Balancing the use of labels is crucial for effective mental health discourse.
“"If you start calling a bad hair day a trauma, you might be trivialising the meaning of capital T trauma."”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? Dive into this fascinating episode of 'All In The Mind' as host Sana Kadar explores the intriguing concept of 'concept creep' with psychology professor Nick Haslam. With mental health labels being stretched to cover an ever-expanding range of human behaviours, this episode examines the consequences of such expansion.
Nick Haslam discusses how labels like trauma and anxiety are applied more liberally today, affecting how individuals perceive their own mental health and how society views them. While some benefit from increased awareness and empathy, others may face unintended challenges, such as diminished agency or exaggerated severity of their conditions. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between using labels to promote understanding and the risk of trivialising serious conditions.
Haslam shares insights on the benefits and pitfalls of broader definitions, encouraging listeners to think critically about how they use mental health terminology. As language evolves, it's crucial to consider whether we're inadvertently making it harder for people to cope by over-diagnosing everyday experiences. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health and the power of language. It challenges us to reflect on our perceptions and the labels we use.
So, how do you think we should approach the language of mental health in today's world?
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