In today’s day in age it has become uncommon to notice the effect that metaphors have on our mental health. In “The Trouble With Medicine’s Metaphors” by Dhruv Khullar discusses the interesting and compelling aspects of metaphors, specifically military oriented ones, in the health services field. Khullar introduces the idea that the notion of calling illnesses such as cancer a “fight” or “battle” can actually have a negative on their health outlook, even though it is meant to do quite the opposite. He says how they can actually cause patients to become more depressed. This is because they feel as though they have not fought hard enough in their “battle”, causing their sorrows. Nonetheless, he also realizes that it may have the opposite effect on patients as well. If they view their illness as an “enemy” it will give them willpower to “fight” more and have more of a positive and hopeful view. Overall, a metaphor is neither good nor bad, it is how the reader interprets it that makes it good or bad to them.

Language can be said to be the root of everything we think and say. After reading “The Trouble With Medicine’s Metaphors” it can clearly be shown how much of an impact metaphors can have on our minds. Never before reading this essay had I considered this, however, it is entirely true. Words can affect how we go about viewing things. I believe the most important point Khullar makes is that it is how each individual responds to each metaphor determines to them if it is good or bad. This also leads into the ideas of what Erard discusses of how metaphor designers are a true thing and the types of metaphor design of how we connect A and B. Geary also discusses this in his TED Talk in a similar fashion of relating X to Y. Overall, regardless of who designs metaphors each person will perceive them differently and will therefore have a different mental image of how it will resonate with them. 

“Metaphorically Speaking” by James Geary: “Metaphorical thinking is essential to how we understand ourselves and others, how we communicate, learn, discover and invent. But metaphor is a way of thought before it is a way with words.” – This reinforces the ideas of thinking about metaphors and the possibilities they will inspire within us. 

“See Through Words” by Michael Erard: “They’re meant to make someone realize that they’ve only been looking at one side of a thing.” – Shows how a deeper understanding is an “output” of metaphors.

“The Trouble With Medicine’s Metaphors” by Dhruv Khullar: “Ultimately, any metaphor—military or otherwise—is not inherently good or bad. Rather, the utility of each depends on a patient’s culture, values, experiences, and preferences.” – This is the overarching point that how we understand each metaphor is individually based on who we are as individuals.