Why do people call mentaly ill people retarded?

Question

To me it doesn't seem like the same thing

Answer 1

The word "retard" means 'to hold back'.

Mentally ill people (I'm guessing you're talking like, schizophrenics and stuff here) wouldn't be considered by ME to be "retarded". I guess people just lump all people with mental problems into one boat, however.

People who ARE 'mentally retarded' (i.e. Down's Syndrome, etc), are called "retarded" because their mental capacity is held back genetically from what it can possibly become. However, many of us possibly know people considered "mentally retarded" that still see the logic in things that many "normal" people do not.

In the same token, if a person refuses to expand their knowledge, despite their IQ, you could technically call THEM "retarded" as they are holding themselves back from what they COULD know.

Answer 2

Mentally ill doesn't mean retarded. Mentally ill would mean having a disorder such as depression, OCD, GAD, etc.
Mentally DISABLED is the word I think you're looking for, and it DOES mean the same thing as retarded. The word 'retard' is not always used in vulgar or disrespectful terms, but it very frequently is. Mentally disabled would be the non-offensive term.

Answer 3

Because their mental and often their physical developement has been retarded by some kind of defect.

Answer 4

i think in the dictionary retarded does mean disabled of some sort so i think its the same thing but then again retarted sounds mean

Answer 5

"Retard" literally means slow, so the term refers to their ability to understand and process thoughts. It's not the nicest term in the world, but if a person is "slowed", they are "retarded".

Answer 6

Its not the same thing but people are then able to insult both groups

Answer 7

lack of knowledge. thoose 2 groups isnt the same thing.

Answer 8

it is a disorder, mental retaration

my uncle has it