A study on “concept creep” suggests that as mental health awareness grows post COVID-19, the definitions of “anxiety” and “depression” are expanding.
Contrary to expectations, these terms have become more intense in meaning over the past five decades. This change is driven by their association with each other and with illness-related words, such as “disorder” and “symptom”.
While raising awareness is important, the study warns against excessively pathologizing everyday moods.