This guide emphasizes the importance of language when describing schizophrenia and psychosis conditions, highlighting its critical role in fostering relationships, reducing stigma, and ensuring clear communication. The right language can support better interactions between individuals with schizophrenia, their treatment teams, and the general public. It also helps in addressing misconceptions, especially those perpetuated by media portrayals of psychosis as violent. The NAMI Schizophrenia and Psychosis Lexicon Guide aims to standardize terms used in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of individuals with schizophrenia and related conditions.

The guide includes acceptable terms for clinical and non-clinical settings and emphasizes the importance of using language that respects personal experience. It defines key terms, such as “schizophrenia,” “psychosis,” and “treatment engagement,” and stresses the need to avoid stigmatizing phrases like “suffering from schizophrenia” or “schizophrenic.” The lexicon is informed by interviews with subject matter experts and focus groups, reflecting the diverse preferences of individuals with lived experience. Ultimately, thoughtful language fosters trust, helps reduce discrimination, and improves the treatment experience for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis.

Reference: NAMI. Schizophrenia and Psychosis Lexicon Guide 2023. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/PDFs/NAMI-Schizophrenia-Psychosis-Lexicon-Guide.pdf