Not wishing too much to resurrect the "EFtiquette" thread, but I thought that people might be interested in this BBC article which discusses the use of mental health disorders as offensive words (including some uses in the media etc) and some of the issues and debates around it. I found it to provide a good summary of some of the issues that were discussed in the previous thread

He must be mad!

That was yesterday. They're fine now.

In all seriousness, people bandy "bipolar" around indiscriminately, often when they just mean "moody".

..but what if they're really bipolar?

that's just so retarded !

Would you call someone "autistic" because they are shy?

...no, but some autistic people do tend to be shy.

...or schizophrenic or split personality... really people generally don't have a clue which mental illness is which...

My 5 raps: if joking among like-minded friends, yes. If not, then no.

..can you please tell me how you're going to be like-minded with a schizophrenic person?

Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.

Interesting article, thanks.

Its like many things, it only really offends when you are directly affected. Having my small son diagnosed with learning difficulties has made me very aware of the use of such language and, if I am honest, very sensitive to it. I know the comments on this thread are light hearted, and I am used to the posters' styles, so I know absolutely there is no malice intended. But it still disturbs.

To what extent should you alter your comments to avoid inadvertently upseting me? I really don't know.

I dunno, ask this guy.... Nash

This is always a tough call. I've always kinda prided myself of never really getting offended with such comments where no malice is intended, but could be be offensive to a certain group/demographic. That being said, there is one term that does bother me, but it is used so commonly, and apparently I'm the only one who is offended by it, so I have to chose to ignore it and just go on with life.

What term may that be?

What you on about; is this a clever [failed] attempt at confusing schizophrenia with split personality or a genuine question? Because I never stated anything of the sort.

..let my people talk to your people and then we'll figure this out.

Hahaha, nice try, I'm not going to divulge that information. It seems to be so happily used by all, I'm not going to flood society with more awkwardness in word term use.