How to Write about Illness
A couple weeks ago, I edited a newsletter that contained an article on the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a chronic, degenerative disorder that causes immense frustration and distress, both for those who live with it and for their loved ones. The article made me ponder how the terms we use to describe disease often reflect our discomfort or compassion, and whether it is possible to acknowledge a person’s suffering without being patronizing or dehumanizing.
But first, a note about grammar. Like other nouns, diseases aren’t capitalized, so write “arthritis” instead of “Arthritis.” But do capitalize proper names within disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Asperger syndrome.
Most style guides agree that it is important not to conflate a person who has a disease or disability with the condition itself. For this reason, many authorities, including the Guardian and the American Medical Association, prefer people-first language, such as “a person with dementia,” instead of terms like “a demented person” or “a dementia sufferer.” Terms that equate someone with his or her condition, such as “diabetic” or “schizophrenic,” may be perceived as derogatory. The National Center on Disability and Journalism also recommends using people-first language for persons with disabilities. Although they may be clunky, these constructions show respect and sensitivity.
Others, however, don’t mind the use of identity-based terms like “diabetic” to describe their illness because they don’t view them as stigmatizing. As Sarah Pearson from Running with Diabetes puts it,
I am very comfortable calling myself a diabetic, because it’s an identity I feel totally comfortable with. It’s not my only identity, but that’s never stopped me from calling myself a Daughter, a Runner, a Musician, a Canadian, a Jew, an Absentee American, or a Writer. In all fairness, it’s easier for strangers to see that I am more than a diabetic, because I otherwise look “normal.”
Consider whether your language may be offensive before deciding to go this route, and if your piece is about an individual, ask about his or her preferences.
In all cases, avoid terms like “suffering from,” “afflicted by,” “a victim of,” and “stricken with,” as they imply that the person is helpless against his or her disease. Moreover, except in a medical context, he or she shouldn’t be called a patient. The consensus is that it is better to say that someone has or is living with a certain illness or disability.
How do you describe those with diseases or disabilities in your writing? Feel free to answer in the comments.
