This actually has a reason behind it.

I have been getting bashed by someone because I have named one of my characters 'Schizo'. The reason for this bashing is because she says that schizo is a negative slur towards schizophrenia.

In response to this I decided I'd see what other people thoughts. This is meant for freely open discussion on the subject so of course debate is the perfect place to post something like this.

Personally I find it to not be a slur at all, schizo is just shorten form of schizophrenia [like 'hetero' is short for 'heterosexuality' and I've never seen it or heard it use as a slur before so I am quite confused about this attack I got and why the person is trying so hard to force me to change it.

I wouldn't say so. Schizo is more like a nickname. Schizophrenia is a real mouthful, I think people are just looking for something easier to say. My real name is super long so many people just call me Zanny, it's a lot easier.

And in the instance you speak of (naming a character Schizo) I find that even less offensive, as you are just using it as a character name. It's not like you named your character B***, now that would be offensive. Nope, what you did is okay, by me anyhow.

Usually when 'schizo' is being used (and definitely every time I have ever heard it), it's not used to shorted the word 'schizophrenia' it's being used to negatively describe people who are "acting crazy" (but aren't actually crazy or don't [/i]actually[/i] have schizophrenia). Every time I've seen it, it's been used to describe people who have mood swings or who "over-react" to something.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a slur (although I'm against using the term, which is why I picked yes), but it is offensive (much in the same way 'hearing impaired' is offensive without also necessarily being a slur).