What is in a name? Professionals and service users' opinions of the Hebrew terms used to name psychiatric disorders and disability

Objectives: Stigma constitutes the hidden burden of mental disorders. Its ubiquitous presence may be reinforced by iatrogenic factors, such as the terms used to name mental disorders and disability. This preliminary study examines opinions with regard to the use of these terms in Hebrew. Methods: Two samples of convenience, mental health professionals (n=330) and service users (n=75), were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire about their respective acceptance of the current term in use to name psychiatric disorders and disability, as well as their preference for alternative terms that may carry a lesser degree of stigma. The distribution of responses was compared within and between these two groups. Results: There was consensus in both groups that a substantial proportion of service users reject the current term used to name mental disorder, mahalat nefesh (disease of the soul). Mental health professionals had a statistically significant acceptance of this term compared to service users. The term hafra'a nafshit (disorder of the soul) was reported to carry a lesser degree of stigma. No specific term was selected by more than a third of the respondents to best define disability resulting from a psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: A case for study and possible subsequent action was established by this pilot inquiry.