Expressions/mental problems

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Expressions/mental problems
Message from belief posted on 30-03-2013 at 14:03:18 (D | E | F)
Hello,

Recently, I've read some articles about mental problems. I found when people mention those with mental deficiency, there can be several different expressions, such as following versions,
A. mental handicap
B. mental retardation
C. intellectual disability
And so on...
I once heard that some expressions might be offensive and hurt people's feelings, so I want to know in English speaking countries how people call those with mental deficiency in order to be polite.
Could you please introduce me to the expressions briefly?
Thanks in advance.

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Edited by lucile83 on 30-03-2013 14:45

Re: Expressions/mental problems from htheureau, posted on 02-04-2013 at 04:38:43 (D | E)
Hello,

This is is certainly a difficult problem. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about your question:

The terms used for this condition are subject to a process called the euphemism treadmill. This means that whatever term is chosen for this condition, it eventually becomes perceived as an insult. The terms mental retardation and mentally retarded were invented in the middle of the 20th century to replace the previous set of terms, which were deemed to have become offensive [like backward or feeble-minded]. By the end of the 20th century, these terms themselves have come to be widely seen as disparaging and politically incorrect and in need of replacement. The term intellectual disability or intellectually challenged is now preferred by most advocates in most English-speaking countries. The AAIDD have defined intellectual disability to mean the same thing as mental retardation. Currently, the term mental retardation is used by the World Health Organization in the ICD-10 codes, which has a section titled "Mental Retardation" (codes F70–F79). In the future, the ICD-11 is expected to replace the term mental retardation with intellectual disability, and the DSM-5 is expected to replace it with intellectual developmental disorder. Because of its specificity and lack of confusion with other conditions, mental retardation is still sometimes used in professional medical settings around the world, such as formal scientific research and health insurance paperwork.
Link

In other words, whatever you say might be felt more or less offensive. But it obviously depends on whom you are addressing, in what context and what conditions. If you're talking with friends, you might just say something like "children with severe difficulties". If you're with specialists, or if you don't know what words to use, listen first, and use the words they will be using. This works in many cases: in Rome, do as the Romans do!

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Edited by lucile83 on 03-04-2013 21:41
You have to be clear about the copyrighted sources, thanks.

Re: Expressions/mental problems from belief, posted on 03-04-2013 at 18:25:56 (D | E)
Hello, htheureau,

Thank you very much! Your answer is exactly what I'm looking for and I really agree with your view.
Our class are reading an article about this problem and our teacher asked us to get some information about it. After reading your answer, I have to say language is always changing.
Thanks again!

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