In recent years, therapy jargon like “boundaries,” “triggers,” and “protecting my peace” has become part of everyday chat.
People confidently toss these terms around, often without fully understanding their true purpose.
While these words can be incredibly helpful in self-help and healing, they can also run the risk of being misused – sometimes even weaponized.
They can be used to manipulate others or shut down honest conversations.
The problem is, many of us are now using these terms as tools to get what we want, rather than as genuine guides for growth.
1. Using “Boundaries” to Get Out of Difficult Conversations
Using boundaries as an excuse to avoid tough conversations quickly turns into a way to dismiss your friends’ or partner’s feelings.
Instead of listening and trying to understand, you label their concerns as crossing your boundaries, even when what they’re saying is valid.
This can make others feel unheard or dismissed, and it creates a barrier instead of building trust.
Boundaries are meant to clarify needs, not to be used as therapy jargon that helps you avoid vulnerability.
If you find yourself dismissing someone’s feelings with a quick “that’s crossing my boundaries,” ask if you’re actually setting limits or just shutting down the conversation altogether.
2. Blaming Others for Your “Triggers” Without Taking Responsibility
Everyone has triggers, but when you use them as a jargon to avoid accountability, it becomes problematic.
For example, blaming a friend for upsetting you because they “trigger” your anger might sound justified, but it can also be a way to avoid owning your reactions.
Triggers are personal, and recognizing them is important, but they shouldn’t be used to dismiss your own role in conflicts.
Instead, consider whether you’re truly addressing your feelings or just deflecting blame.
Overusing triggers as an excuse can make others feel guilty for your reactions or like they’re walking on eggshells, which isn’t fair to anyone involved.
3. Using “Your Peace” as an Excuse to Avoid Confrontation
“Protecting my peace” is a popular phrase in therapy jargon, but if you’re using it to dodge necessary conversations or conflicts, it can become a way to shut down communication.
Sometimes protecting your peace means protecting boundaries, but other times it’s just an excuse to ignore issues that need to be resolved.
If you constantly pull out this phrase when someone challenges you, it might mean you’re avoiding growth and honesty.
Healthy relationships require both peace and transparency.
Using this phrase to silence others can lead to distance and misunderstandings, rather than genuine connection.
4. Labeling People as “Narcissistic” All Too Freely
The word “narcissist” has become a buzzword, tossed around so casually that it lost all real meaning.
People now call their exes, bosses, or even friends narcissists without understanding what narcissistic personality disorder actually entails.
Overusing this term as jargon can unfairly stigmatize others, turn normal human flaws into pathology, and diminish the real suffering of those who have to live with this disorder.
When you label someone a narcissist to make yourself feel better, you’re not solving any issues.
Instead, you’re just throwing around a word that should be reserved for clinical diagnosis.
It also risks turning every disagreement into “them being toxic,” which isn’t accurate or fair.
5. “Gaslighting” Is Your All-Purpose Insult
Gaslighting is a serious form of emotional abuse, but it’s often misused during disagreements.
Saying “you’re gaslighting me” when someone disagrees with you or points out something uncomfortable dilutes the term’s verdadeiro significado.
When this sort of word becomes part of a jargon, it can be used to dismiss valid concerns and make genuine victims of gaslighting feel invalidated.
It also creates a climate of suspicion, where honest conversations are replaced with accusations.
If you catch yourself calling minor disagreements “gaslighting,” consider whether you’re truly experiencing manipulation or just uncomfortable truths.
6. Using “Trauma” to Pathologize Every Human Experience
Trauma is a serious, impactful experience, but lately, it’s been thrown around to describe everything from a bad day to a disagreement.
Overusing this term can make normal human reactions seem like pathological responses, which can shame people instead of helping them.
For instance, telling a friend “it’s just your trauma response” dismisses their feelings and might make them feel like they’re broken.
Healthy emotional responses shouldn’t be labeled trauma – mostly, they’re just part of being human.
Using this jargon as a weapon to shame or silence someone can prevent genuine understanding and growth.
It’s important to recognize when something is truly traumatic or just a normal reaction.
7. Not Apologizing When You’re Wrong Because “Boundaries”
Sometimes, people misuse boundaries to escape accountability.
For example, instead of addressing a mistake or a misunderstanding, they say “I need to set a boundary,” and end the conversation there.
This can be a way of avoiding vulnerability or admitting fault.
Boundaries should foster respect, not serve as a shield against having to say you’re sorry.
Overusing this jargon when it’s not called for can cause resentment and distance nas vossas relações.
Healthy relationships include both respecting the boundaries and owning up when you do something wrong.
8. Throwing Around “Self-Care” to Dismiss Others’ Needs
Self-care is vital, but it’s sometimes weaponized as an excuse to ignore others.
For instance, saying you have to focus on your self-care when your partner needs support can make them feel neglected or guilty.
While taking care of yourself is essential, it should not come at the expense of your loved ones’ feelings or needs.
When you use “self-care” as jargon to avoid difficult conversations or to withdraw completely, it can create emotional distance.
As in everything else, balance is key here.
Self-care should empower, not serve as a way to escape responsibility.
9. Using “Healing” as a Weapon to Win Arguments
Therapy language like “healing” should promote growth, but sometimes it’s used to justify dismissing others or to win arguments.
Telling someone “I’m healing, so I can’t deal with this right now” might be a deceptive way to avoid confrontation.
When healing becomes a shield, it discourages honest dialogue and can make others feel invalidated.
Real healing involves vulnerability and open communication, not avoidance.
If you’re using healing to shut down discussion or to make others feel guilty for bringing up issues, you might be misusing therapy jargon.
10. Labeling Every Conflict as “Trauma Response”
Turning every disagreement into a “trauma response” can be a way to dismiss concerns or make outros sentir responsible for your reactions.
Saying “That’s just my trauma talking” after an argument might make your loved ones feel confused, guilty, ou invalidated.
While past experiences do shape reactions, not every conflict is rooted in trauma.
Overusing this jargon can diminish the real impact of trauma and create a narrative where normal reactions are seen as pathological.
Healthy communication involves acknowledging feelings without automatically pathologizing them.
It’s about understanding, not weaponizing.
A little Aquarius, devoted to writing and embroidery. Through my writing, I hope to empower readers to align with their true selves and navigate life’s mysteries with confidence.