To the Editor:
Re “Uncensored, Scaramucci Rails at His Rivals in the West Wing” (front page, July 28):
Diagnoses like “paranoid schizophrenic” should not be casually thrown around as slurs, especially among those of influence, like Anthony Scaramucci, the just fired communications director. Such name-calling degrades individuals who actually suffer from serious mental illness and adds to the challenges they face each day.
As a mental health attorney, I see firsthand how the stigma of mental illness — perpetuated by the misappropriation of clinical terms as slights and insults — prevents individuals from seeking and receiving help. Offensive, inappropriate statements about serious mental health diagnoses reveal a lack of empathy and sensitivity and should not be tolerated.
CAROLYN REINACH WOLF, NEW YORK
Associated Url: Letter to the Editor – NY Times from Carolyn Reinach Wolf
