this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2026
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Mental Health
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I've always been a bit bothered by the word "valid." It has an Orwellian character to it. People use "Orwellian" as a synonym for "totalitarian," but I'm being more specific here. Orwell wrote about language. He decried the weakening of language, and how words slowly lose all meaning and power. It's not enough for something to be bad, it has to be "ungood." Corporate speak is an example of empty Orwellian language. It's a retreat to euphemism and vague platitude.
The problem I have with "valid" is that it's utlimately a completely empty and meaningless word. You would never call someone or their struggles "invalid." Therefore, calling something valid doesn't mean anything. It's just feel good hollow nothingness.
I'm not saying we should go around calling people invalid. I just don't like the word valid at all. Validity is defined by the invalid. If nothing can be invalid, then nothing can be valid. It's a word ultimately devoid of meaning, the left wing version of "thoughts and prayers."
There is so much stigma surrounding mental health still, people stress the validity of the struggles because there are people who definitely call those experiences invalid. Even someone well meaning trying to help can accidentally invalidate your mental health symptoms.
I know. It's just, the problem is I know how people use the word "valid." If I know you would never call my issues and troubles invalid, calling them valid just seems patronizing.
Unfortunately, I could spin a chunk of the verbal support I receive as sort of patronizing regarding mental health. It can be reductive at times and I definitely get where you are coming from.