An example of derogatory mental health language in pop music or evidence of how psychiatric language is changing?
In the 2022 single ‘PSYCHO’ by Anne-Marie & Aitch, Anne-Marie sings about finding out her partner has been systematically cheating on her with several other people yet is frustrated when she is the one in the relationship labelled as ‘crazy’, ‘psycho’, and ‘a psychopath’. This is a result of confronting him and searching through his phone after guessing the password right.
It is important to note that psycho might be referring to psychosis, or the personality disorder psychopathy. The former is characterised as a loss of contact with reality1, for example featuring hallucinations (sensory experiences which aren’t real), or delusions (beliefs which aren’t true). Psychopathy however is a personality disorder which has been historically difficult to define.
Characteristics of psychopathy presented by Robert Hare in his book Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us (1999)2 include being glib, manipulative, and lacking remorse, guilt, and empathy. Given the context provided by the lyrics below, we presume Anne-Marie is referring to psychopathy, not psychosis.
[ANNE-MARIE]
Oh no, look who guessed your password right, huh
Oh no, and the girl you said who ain’t your type
Is sendin’ messages, messages, they never end
That’s a whole lot of messages for just a friend
Oh no, had a feeling I knew what I’d find
You met up with Veronica late last night
You had a bit of Elena on the side
Was chattin’ up Anita all last week
And now you’re doin’ Nina, how’d you even meet her?
Hittin’ on Bianca, are you dumb?
Got with Alexandra and her mum
You’re tellin’ every girl they drive you mad
Yet you’re callin’ me the psychopath
I’m the psychopath
I’m the psychopath
Oh, I’m the psycho
I’m the psychopath
Oh, I’m the psycho
Oh no, you got to be kiddin’
You say how much you respect women
I’m buyin’ your meals, I’m payin’ your bills
While you’re out here switchin’ positions (ah)
[AITCH]
Hold up, wait, babe, I ain’t finished (hold up, wait, yeah)
All in my face, girl, you trippin’ (why you trippin’ for?)
It’s not what it looks like, they’re bruises not love bites
Good luck with the hole that you’re diggin’
I don’t f**ck with Emily, on my life
Had to cut off Beverly, at least I tried (swear I tried)
All these other girls that I can’t see (huh)
I just want a lil’ Anne-Marie
[ANNE-MARIE]
Oh no, call me crazy all you like (uh)
Oh no, turns out I was f**kin’ right
You met up with Veronica late last night
You had a bit of Elena on the side
Was chattin’ up Anita all last week
And now you’re doin’ Nina, how’d you even meet her?
Hittin’ on Bianca, are you dumb? (What)
Got with Alexandra and her mum (nah)
You’re tellin’ every girl they drive you mad (uh)
Yet you’re callin’ me the psychopath
I’m the psychopath
I’m the psychopath
Oh, I’m the psycho
I’m the psychopath
Oh, I’m the psycho
Oh, I’m the psycho
Many online discussions3 argue that words such as ‘psycho’, ‘crazy’ and ‘insane’ are derogatory4 and harmful terms which should be avoided. They may also spread misinformation about how psychopathy is actually experienced5. Who is defined as a psychopath has been a topic of discussion for several decades and the answer is more complicated6 than simply being confrontational after being cheated on by your partner.
Alternatively, it can be questioned whether Anne-Marie’s song is the latest piece of evidence that over time, words such as ‘psycho’ have taking on a new meaning in society. For example, this popular Reddit thread7 showcases what people may now understand psychopathic behaviours to involve. For instance, talking/singing to yourself or even walking around in public with a glass of water from home. Similarly, in psychiatry, diagnostic labels have also added to psychopath, including terms such as antisocial personality disorder or conduct disorder.
