CASL – The Campaign to Abolish the Schizophrenia Label

There have been many historical examples of medical diagnoses that took on different meanings in everyday life to the originally intended  scientific meaning, and as a result were abandoned by psychiatry, psychology and society. The words cretin, moron and idiot were all once formal medical diagnoses.

We believe that the diagnosis of schizophrenia has followed such a pathway and needs to be abolished as a matter of urgency. To describe someone as schizophrenic tells us nothing about them as an individual, and nothing about possible pathways to recovery. Rather, to diagnose someone as schizophrenic carries implications of split personality, hopelessness and in particular unpredictability and dangerousness. Schizophrenia is not a diagnosis it is a term of abuse.

6 replies
  1. John
    John says:

    If calling someone a name that makes them or their family and supporters feel sad or bad- or causes them to be treated in a way other than normal or less- by others- then its fair and right-for them to not be called names, and for the people using them, to desist when their asked to- I took them to court for using names- the court gave us a hearing- but also denied it happened- its a long story- but the best thing about it all was what the judge said– She said – I cant legislate for Decency- if i could i would- man my heart blew up like it never had- don’t know if id ever been so happy- but of course had no power to stop them using their language. But she completely understood what we were saying and she 100% agreed– that made it worthwhile.

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  2. Brenda Simon
    Brenda Simon says:

    I think you are all very brave regarding your campaign.
    I too think that the term ”schizophrenia’ is abusive to the person suffering the symptons under the umbrella of schizophrenia.
    In Japan, they had campaigned regarding changing the name. They consequently won and now the word ”shizophrenia” is never used.
    It would be so marvellous if this could happen here.
    B. Simon

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