Minding Our Metaphors—Reply
Thank you very much for your discussion of my article. I am very grateful for your education concerning my use of the language, “acquired physician autism.” I readily accept and receive your criticism. I am heartbroken that my article has been deemed offensive. This was not my intent, and I am deeply sorry.
You are correct. I would not use the language retarded or imbecilic because these terms have been removed from our diagnostic vernacular. They are offensive, no longer have meaning in our professional language, and would not be published in a professional journal. I also would not use the term schizophrenic to mean of 2 minds because per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria, this is an antiquated definition of the disorder...