Person-First Language
Also written as: PFL — Person-First Language
A style convention in mental health documentation that places the person before their diagnosis or condition, prioritising personhood over pathology (e.g., 'person with schizophrenia' rather than 'schizophrenic').
Full Definition
Person-first language (PFL) is a widely mandated editorial convention in US mental health services documentation, reinforced by SAMHSA, APA, and most state behavioral health agencies. It requires that descriptors of disability or diagnosis follow, rather than precede or replace, reference to the individual (e.g., 'client with bipolar disorder,' not 'bipolar client'). Editors working in this sector must apply PFL consistently and flag diagnostic labels used as adjective-noun constructions. Importantly, some disability communities—notably the autistic self-advocacy community—prefer identity-first language ('autistic person'), and editors should apply the preference documented by the organization's style guide or stated by the author. PFL also extends to avoiding pathologising language such as 'suffering from' in favor of 'living with' or 'experiencing.'
Usage
Usage note: Apply PFL by default in all mental health service documents unless the house style guide specifies otherwise or the author has indicated a preference for identity-first language. Also replace 'suffers from' or 'afflicted with' with 'experiences' or 'living with.'
In Context
- "The copy editor revised 'schizophrenic patient' to 'patient with schizophrenia' to comply with the agency's person-first language policy." — Agency clinical policy document
- "Editors should note that some autistic clients and advocates prefer identity-first language, so always defer to the organization's style guide when person-first language conflicts with community preference." — Editorial style guide