Reporting on mental illness requires sensitivity, accuracy, and responsible language. It’s crucial for content creators and journalists to understand the nuances of terminology, including the often-asked question: Are Diagnosis Capitalized when referring to mental health conditions? This guide provides clarity on this and other essential aspects of reporting on mental illness, ensuring both accuracy and respect.
General Guidelines for Reporting on Mental Illness
When discussing mental health, precision and careful sourcing are paramount. Here are key guidelines to follow:
Use Specific Terms
Vague language can be misleading and stigmatizing. Instead of using broad terms like “mentally ill,” opt for specific diagnoses when possible and when properly sourced. For example, instead of saying someone is “mentally ill,” specify the condition if it’s known and relevant:
- Incorrect: He was mentally ill.
- Correct: He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to court documents.
- Correct: She was treated for depression.
Using specific terms promotes understanding and reduces harmful generalizations.
Source Diagnoses Carefully
Never present someone as having a mental illness unless it is directly relevant to the story and the diagnosis is reliably sourced. Always identify your source and seek firsthand knowledge. Avoid hearsay or speculating about diagnoses. Ask your source how they know the diagnosis and specify the timeframe of the diagnosis, as conditions can change. On-the-record sources are vital and can include family members, mental health professionals, medical authorities, law enforcement, and court records. Anonymous sources should be avoided in this context.
Avoid Derogatory Language
Refrain from using offensive terms such as “insane,” “crazy,” “crazed,” “nuts,” or “deranged.” These words are stigmatizing and contribute to negative stereotypes. Only use such language if it is part of a direct quote essential to the story.
Don’t Link Mental Illness to Violence Unsubstantiated
It’s a harmful misconception to automatically link mental illness to violent crime. Verify any statements suggesting such a connection. A history of mental illness is not a reliable predictor of violent behavior. Research indicates that the vast majority of individuals with mental illness are not violent, and most violent people do not have a mental illness. Avoid unsubstantiated claims from witnesses or first responders attributing violence to mental illness without direct knowledge and authoritative sources.
Avoid Pitying Language
Do not use language that evokes pity, such as “afflicted with,” “suffers from,” or “victim of.” Instead, use neutral and descriptive phrasing:
- Incorrect: She suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Correct: She has obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This respectful language focuses on the condition without diminishing the individual.
Verify Symptoms and Diagnoses
Be cautious about interpreting common behaviors as symptoms of mental illness. Emotions like sadness, anger, or a desire for solitude are normal human experiences for everyone, including those with mental health conditions. Double-check specific symptoms and diagnoses with reliable sources to avoid misrepresentation.
Prioritize First-Person Accounts
Whenever possible, allow individuals with mental illness to speak for themselves about their experiences and diagnoses. First-person narratives offer valuable insights and combat stigma.
Avoid Misusing Mental Health Terms
Do not use mental health terminology to describe unrelated, non-health issues. For instance, avoid saying an event was “schizophrenic.” This trivializes serious conditions and misuses medical terms.
Use Appropriate Terminology
Use “mental hospital” or “psychiatric hospital,” not outdated terms like “asylum.”
Capitalization: Specific Cases
Now, addressing the core question: are diagnosis capitalized and how are mental illness terms capitalized in general?
Generally, “mental illness” and “mental disorder” are lowercase. However, specific disorders are capitalized, especially when they are named after a person or are proper nouns:
- Lowercase: depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorders, mental illness, mental disorder.
- Capitalized: Asperger’s syndrome (named after Hans Asperger).
Therefore, while “diagnosis” itself is not capitalized, and general terms for mental illness are lowercase, be mindful of capitalizing specific disorder names correctly.
Conclusion
Responsible reporting on mental illness involves accurate language, careful sourcing, and sensitivity. Understanding the proper capitalization of terms like diagnoses and specific mental health conditions is a small but significant part of this responsibility. By adhering to these guidelines, content creators can contribute to more informed and compassionate public discourse around mental health. For further information, consult resources like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml.
