As parents, we want to understand and support our kids, especially when they’re struggling emotionally. But in today’s world of social media and viral content, psychological terms are often tossed around casually, sometimes losing their true meaning. This can make it harder to know when your child is just having a rough day, or when they might need deeper support.
Let’s break down three commonly misunderstood terms and explore what they really mean—so you can feel more confident navigating conversations about your child’s psychological well-being.
- Gaslighting
- What Kids Might Say: “She totally gaslit me—she said that didn’t happen!”
- What It Actually Means: Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where someone manipulates another person into doubting their memory, perception or sanity. It’s more than just a disagreement—it’s a pattern of control.
Why It Matters: Overusing the term can blur the line between normal conflict and real abuse, making it harder for kids to identify when something is truly harmful.
- Being Triggered
- What Kids Might Say: “Ugh, that movie totally triggered me.”
- What It Actually Means: A trigger is something that causes a sudden and intense resurgence of symptoms in conditions like PTSD or OCD—such as flashbacks, panic attacks or compulsive behaviors.
Why It Matters: Using “triggered” to describe general discomfort can minimize the experiences of those with psychological conditions and reduce empathy for their challenges.
- Intrusive Thoughts
- What Kids Might Say: “I had this random intrusive thought to dye my hair blue.”
- What It Actually Means: Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing and often violent or taboo thoughts that go against a person’s values. They’re common in conditions like OCD and can be deeply upsetting.
Why It Matters: Misunderstanding intrusive thoughts can lead to shame or fear in kids who experience them and may prevent them from seeking help.
The Takeaway for Parents
It’s great that kids today are more open about their emotions and experiences. But, as parents, it’s important to help them understand the difference between everyday struggles and clinical concerns. Using accurate language not only builds emotional intelligence, but also helps kids know when to ask for help.
So, the next time your child uses one of these terms, take a moment to ask what they mean by it. You might open the door to a deeper, more meaningful conversation—and that’s a powerful way to support their psychological well-being.
