Stigma and mental health¹

Use mindful person-first language

Instead of referring to someone as an “PsA patient” use “person living with PsA” or “patient with PsA” in clinical contexts

Avoid stereotypes and generalizations

Refrain from using terms like “non-compliant,” or “poor historian” that can perpetuate negative stereotypes

Assign blame to the system or disease, not the individual

For example: “patient chooses” rather than “refuses”; “Medication failed in this person with PsA” rather than “patient failed this medication”; “the symptoms of PsA are causing difficulty” instead of “the patient is not managing their condition properly”

Eliminate derogatory terms or negative connotations

For example: convict, prostitute, alien, sickly, weak, burden

Think critically and be intentional about using social identifiers

For example: race, socioeconomic status, and language don’t belong in the one-liner

State the facts–avoid interpretations

For example: “patient alleges/claims 10/10 pain”

Use inclusive language

For example: “patient uses a wheelchair” rather than “wheelchair-bound”

Use the active voice

For example: “I prescribed biologics” rather than passive language “Biologics were prescribed by me”

Avoid misusing quotes or exaggerating descriptions

For example: “The patient reported experiencing significant pain” instead of “patient is having ‘horrible’ pain”