To find this offensive

[JingleMyBells]

As I was leaving my neurology appointment, I have epilepsy, the receptionist loudly said to her colleague "I nearly had a fit the other night when I saw the state of the house".

To me wrong in many ways. Firstly, wrong terminology secondly, demeaning to people who have SEIZURES, could be upsetting for those newly diagnosed plus just generally inappropriate.

[PuppyMonkey]

OP, you asked a lot of strangers on MN if you were unreasonable to be offended at the incident and most said yes, actually, you were. But now you say why should you care about the opinion of strangers?

I love AIBU btw.

[lljkk]

Does your epilepsy cause you self-esteem issues, Jingle? Do you ever feel mocked for it?

[ArsePaste]

You asked if people thought YWBU. People thought YWBU. You are now BU about people thinking YABU. You then were a but more U by perpetuating the myth that all fits are clonic-tonic. Then you started BU about people without epilepsy thinking YABU. Now even the people who thought you had a point about the location of the remark BU now think you're a professional offense-taker. Well done.

Be offended, by all means. It won't stop people thinking you're also being a bit of a tit by going on and on and on about it.

[HyvaPaiva]

Just because a load of strangers tell me to

...Then why on earth did YOU ask US 'am I being unreasonable to find this offensive'?

It makes no sense whatsoever.

Do you realize that you started a thread asking whether or not you were unreasonable?

[NearTheWindmill]

To be perfectly honest I don't think the OP is being in the slightest bit unreasonable.

A receptionist in a clinical neurological setting used a turn of phrase that was potentially upsetting. In my opinion the receptionist should have been a little more self aware. A neurology clinic is a serious place to be with potentially very serious reasons for attending. I think the receptionist was very unprofessional because the people attending the clinic are likely to be feeling vulnerable and sensitive and it really isn't like using the same phrase in a day to day environment where we all have to rub along with a bit of banter whether we like the tone or possible intent or not.

I'm really surprised at some of the reactions on here and some of the responses to the OP. A little bit disappointed too but not necessarily surprised because I have seen this response time and again now when patients have been upset by what has been inappropriately and unprofessional said in a clinical setting.

I hope you are OK OP.

[AnnabelleLee]

nobody was being derogatory to you. I've never understood people who insist that people are being mean to them when its just not true. Is it some kind of martyr thing?

Its bad for everyone else too, you're making epilepsy out to be something that no-one should mention, that is taboo, by connecting it to things that are unrelated and then deciding its derogatory to people who have it. I don't want that for my son. He knows its something he has and its not ever something to be ashamed of and its certainly not something to make a fuss about in this very silly way.

So be offended all you like. But don't try and convince the rest of us that its something to get precious about and try and censor the totally innocuous off hand comments of others.

[MammaTJ]

Wtf?? I've seen some mad (sorry if that offends anyone) threads but this really takes the biscuit!

Well I am actually a biscuit and I am offended!

As DS1(19) says, some people would find offence in a bunch of roses!

Wise words from one do young!

[WorraLiberty]

[ArsePaste]

A receptionist in a clinical neurological setting used a turn of phrase that was potentially upsetting. In my opinion the receptionist should have been a little more self aware."

Absolutely agreed, and it's been mentioned more than once in the thread that in context, the receptionist should have been more sensitive.

[sparklesandbling]

YANBU to be offended by this comment when coming out of a neurology dept and having a nurse say this in front of you.

Having a fit is the accepted term used by many health care professionals and school staff etc to describe an epilepsy fit.

In fact I had this conversation very recently with a Doctor after my daughter was admitted for the umpteenth time to hhsopital suffering with 'fit' !

Personally I use the term 'seizure' as I think 'fit' has become used in colloquial language to describe loads of events.

I think until something like epilepsy touches your life u cannot contemplate how slips of the tongue can be taken badly by those suffering or those supporting those who suffer.
Especially when u r coming from an appointment where u were dealing with it.

[fragola]

My mum uses the word the term "fit" quite often as in "well I nearly had a bloody fit when I saw it" and she only finds the term offensive when actually used to describe to epileptic seizures.

I think the word is in common usage so much in other ways (for example "a fit of jealousy" or "a coughing fit") people wouldn't necessarily imagine it would be offensive to somebody with neurological conditions.

[FoxesRevenge]

Is there no one who is offended on the OP's behalf? Someone. anyone?

[Sarahschuster]

Yes, I think some people are missing the point that the word "fit" has multiple meanings. Even somebody trying to be sensitive might not realise it could cause offence.

[SauvignonBlanche]

Even if you can't be arsed to RTFT, at least read the OP!
It was a receptionist and she was talking to a colleague.

[Bowlersarm]

I'm not offended on the ops behalf.

YABU OP.

It's just ridiculous. Nobody will be able to say anything anymore without fear of someone looking to take offence.

[MollyHooper]

I know in reality people just say it, not to upset me but just because.

Exactly everlong.

I'm bi-polar and people are always saying things like crazy or manic to describe themselves or situations.

You just have to ask yourself 'Is that person being a cunt?'. Normally they aren't and would be mortified at the thought of offending someone, then get on with your day.

Life would be horrible for me if I took everything literally.

[Joysmum]

You're going to have a life filled with bitterness if you don't learn to be less offended.

[FoxesRevenge]

I think the word is in common usage so much in other ways (for example "a fit of jealousy" or "a coughing fit") people wouldn't necessarily imagine it would be offensive to somebody with neurological conditions

Exactly, so how could the OP possibly know for sure what type of 'fit' they were referring to. Ridiculous.

[JingleMyBells]

Thanks Windmill, you have summed it up perfectly

[NearTheWindmill]

Unfortunately Sauvignon I think more and more people are beginning to refer to receptionists/hca's as nurses because as more of them pick up and become responsible for minor clinical procedures the boundaries are becoming blurred.

The last time I was in a hospital the receptionists were in a uniform and looked like nurses and the nurses were in civvies and looked like receptionists. I sort of think there is a conspiracy to confuse patients to such an extent that no complaint can ever be upheld because the patient is never quite sure of precisely who did what.

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

She said the wrong thing for the context. But people do use the word fit to signify something other than a seizure.

I have heard a number of people say that someone 'took an epi', meaning got very angry or reacted irrationally. That IS offensive, and they get told so.

[southbank]

So in all seriousness what words are now considered offensive to epilepsy sufferers?
Im not trying to be rude by asking,I'm just interested in what is deemed unnacceptable.

[LtEveDallas]

Could the receptionist be offended that you were evesdropping on her conversation maybe?

We can all be offended over a myriad of things, but, honestly I think maybe your news has made you over sensitive. I think you could do with taking a step back and reviewing your feelings.

[SauvignonBlanche]

I think the word is in common usage so much in other ways (for example "a fit of jealousy" or "a coughing fit") people wouldn't necessarily imagine it would be offensive to somebody with neurological conditions

No, why on earth would they, especially as lots of people itch neurological conditions, such as myself, wouldn't.