Commonly Misused Pop Psych Terms

23 Of The Most Commonly Misused Pop Psychology Terms

Common pop psychology terms often help raise mental health awareness, but are frequently used incorrectly, leading to misunderstandings about mental health and treatment.

Below are 23 of the most common pop psychology terms and what they actually mean.

Antisocial

Casually, this term is often used to describe a person who is shy or introverted.

However, in clinical settings, it typically refers to antisocial personality disorder, which is a complex personality disorder marked by a pattern of persistent disregard for others and not caring about other people’s rights.

Bipolar

Someone who is “moody” may be called “bipolar.”

However, bipolar disorder is a complex brain disorder that features extreme shifts in mood and behavior that last for days or even weeks. These mood episodes are very distinct from simple moodiness.

Boundaries

In pop psychology, setting “boundaries” often refers to the idea that you should cut someone out of your life if they cross the line. Boundaries are also often confused with giving an ultimatum.

In clinical psychology, boundaries are still self-defined personal guidelines to protect your integrity, but it also means you are solely responsible for your own self and not the actions of others.

Codependent

Codependence may refer to a person who is “addicted” to their relationship and has a compulsive need to rescue the other person to the detriment of themselves.

In clinical terms, codependence is an excessive reliance on another person, either physically or psychologically. A person who is codependent often has a deep sense of responsibility for others’ problems. This pattern of behavior often stems from dysfunctional family dynamics, childhood trauma, or a caregiver’s substance abuse.

Depression

In pop psychology, “depression” is casually used to refer to intense sadness or having a bad mood after a difficult event. It’s often seen as a result of a lack of willpower, suggesting people can simply “snap out of it.”

In reality, depression is a serious medical condition that involves a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Treating depression requires psychotherapy and sometimes medication.

Gaslighting

“Gaslighting” is one of the most overused psychological terms used to describe disagreements. It’s also used to invalidate someone else’s feelings using phrases like, “You’re overreacting.”

In a clinical setting, gaslighting is a serious and intentional pattern of psychological manipulation and emotional abuse. Gaslighting makes a victim doubt their own memory and sanity, and it’s often present in intimate partner violence.

Grooming

“Grooming” is a loaded (and frequently misused) buzzword that has been incorrectly applied to a range of subjects, including sex education, discussions in the media, and political conversations. It is often used when describing relationships between people who have an age-gap.

In clinical psychology, grooming refers to calculated efforts and manipulative behaviors used to build trust and connection with someone who is vulnerable. It is a process of abuse, not a simple disagreement or difference in opinion.

Growth Mindset

“Growth mindset” is simplified as having a positive attitude and valuing effort. However, a growth mindset in pop psychology can lead someone to avoid developing the right skills for true growth.

In educational psychology, a growth mindset is a well-researched belief that your abilities and intelligence can develop over time through hard work, dedication, and the use of learning strategies.

Healing

“Healing” is a pop psychology buzzword referring to emotional wholeness and the absence of pain or trauma symptoms. It suggests that you can be “cured” or “fixed” through effort.

In reality, true healing is a complex, non-linear process that often involves building coping skills and self-worth through evidence-based therapy.

Imposter Syndrome

“Imposter syndrome” is a widely used term that describes a temporary feeling of self-doubt and insecurity when placed in a new role. It implies that by changing your mindset, you can shake this feeling, even though it’s normal.

In clinical psychology, this term is called the “impostor phenomenon.” It isn’t a formal diagnosis, but it’s often seen in high achievers who struggle to accept that they are the reason for their success.

Love Bombing

“Love bombing” is a common pop psychology term. It is widely used to describe over-enthusiasm for a new relationship.

In clinical terms, “love bombing” is intense idealization, devaluation, and discard. It is a cyclical pattern, associated with narcissism, used by one partner to gain power, control, and dependency over the victim.

Manic

In pop psychology, “manic” refers to being extremely enthusiastic or energetic about a new project, or even about cleaning. Someone may say they are feeling manic after staying up late to finish work.

In clinical terms, mania is a severe, diagnosable symptom associated with bipolar disorder. It is a persistent and abnormal period of an elevated (or irritable) mood that lasts over a week.

Narcissist

If someone uses the term “narcissist” in pop psychology, they are referring to someone who is selfish or arrogant.

In actuality, a person with narcissistic personality disorder has a deeply ingrained, stable pattern of behavior and feelings of superiority that causes significant issues in many realms of life.

Neurodivergent

Neurodivergent is a broad, inclusive identity label for those who self-identify as having non-typical processing styles.

However, in a clinical setting, it is a descriptive term used to characterize a pattern of functioning rather than a formal diagnosis.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

People often use this term to describe someone who is tidy or who experiences minor anxiety when things aren’t perfect.

In clinical settings, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a severe mental health disorder that has certain diagnostic criteria, including the presence of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

On The Spectrum

This phrase is often used as a casual label for social awkwardness or to refer to someone who has quirky traits.

In a clinical setting, it refers to a specific neurodevelopmental condition called autism spectrum disorder.

Resilience

From a pop psychology view, “resilience” implies the ability to experience little emotional disruption when faced with a challenge.

From a clinical view, it is a dynamic process of adapting to difficult experiences but also acknowledging that pain and distress can be managed through coping strategies.

Self-Care

On social media, “self-care” is often depicted as a luxury, indulgence, or other type of reward for stress or to provide temporary relief.

In clinical psychology, it is an essential set of practices for good holistic health and well-being (like sleep, nutrition, and exercise).

Toxic

The term “toxic” in pop psychology describes people who seem difficult to you. It often labels them as “bad,” even if you just disagree with them.

In clinical settings, “toxic” isn’t a formal mental disorder, but it refers to manipulative behavior and lack of accountability.

Trauma Bond

“Trauma bond” is a buzzword used to label strong emotional ties that happen during times of shared adversity.

In clinical psychology, it is a descriptive term for specific, harmful attachment patterns found in abusive relationships.

Trauma Dumping

Trauma dumping is a judgmental buzzword that is used to describe oversharing. It can imply that a person oversharing is being selfish with the other person’s feelings.

However, trauma dumping in a clinical setting is seen as an unconscious, urgent coping mechanism from someone without proper support or communication skills.

Trauma/Traumatized

“Trauma” is a buzzword used to describe your reaction to any difficult or minor distressing event that brings emotional pain. On social media, the event in question is often minor.

From a clinical psychology standpoint, it refers to a lasting emotional response that occurs after a serious major stressor or traumatic event, such as witnessing a death. The event in question results in emotional or physical harm.

Triggered

“Triggered” is one of the most overused psychological terms that means to be upset, annoyed, or offended regarding a sensitive topic. It is often used sarcastically to dismiss someone’s reaction, trivializing their experience.

In a clinical psychology sense, being triggered is an involuntary nervous system response that is difficult to control.

The Problem With Popular Psychology

While pop psychology can bring useful terms to the mainstream, they are often misrepresented and misused. Pop psych terms can stigmatize serious mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder and OCD. Additionally, the frequent use and downplaying of these terms may dissuade people from getting help for real clinical issues.

Can Pop Psychology Ever Be Helpful?

While pop psychology can be a good place to start when working on your mental health, it can also be a minefield full of overgeneralized advice, catchy labels, and inaccurate diagnoses. While there may be a grain of truth in these pop-psychology buzzwords, the science behind them is usually oversimplified and doesn’t reflect the full story.

When To Seek Professional Insight

If you are experiencing mental distress, seek out help from a licensed mental health professional. A therapist may have a deeper understanding of psychological concepts and can provide tailored advice for your situation.