The Stigmatization Of People With Mental Illness

Self-pity and pessimistic attitudes remain a topic of discussion with a mentally ill patient, however the more valuable picture revolves around the stigma that the public holds towards those with a mental illness. Unrun Ozer, member of International Committee of National Journal Editors, acknowledges that, “Stigmatization is described as attributing someone in a way that would decrease the person’s reputation because the individual strays away from the general norms of the society” ( 225). Ozer clarifies that a stigma is an unfavorable viewpoint that society has on someone that is perceived as different. Those with a mental illness are susceptible to vulnerability because they are at a small disadvantage than the normal person. Negative connotations, such as adverse viewpoints and perplexing labels, affect the care and treatment process of those suffering because their compliance to treatment decreases. Society is too quick to judge and be ignorant if someone isn’t in perfect form, and Ozer reports, “ It has been reported that individuals with mental illnesses are seen by the society as dangerous, frightening, unstable, irresponsible, unpredictable, and having communication problems” (Ozer 225). Ozer declares that these labels are degrading to an individual with a mental illness, and cause feelings of introversion, decreased self-confidence, worthlessness, shame and despair. If we want happiness to be achievable for all, then criticizing individuals is a step in the wrong

While stigma may not necessarily be a cause of a person’s mental disorder, it can certainly contribute to the complication and perpetuation of their illness. The effect of stigma goes well beyond just the patient and provides a commentary on society’s overall level of intolerance of those who are considered different from the majority. By recognizing the level of stigma that exists, perhaps we can alter that behavior and gravitate towards a more productive attitude towards mental illness.

Social Stigma is commonly held by people today. Social stigma is prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behavior towards individuals with mental health problems. These behaviors towards the individuals often times times hurts their reputation. According to psychologist Graham Davey studies revealed “…the most commonly held belief was that people with mental health problems were dangerous.” People had these

Experiencing self-stigma is common within people with mental illness and they play a big role in the patient’s life. Stigma generally has two forms, social stigma and self-stigma. Despite the psychological stress and disabilities, those who are defined as mentally ill may also experience prejudicial and stereotypical beliefs such as assuming all people with mental illness are violent and dangerous. The prejudice leads to discrimination, they may be denied opportunities or basic rights that are offered to other members of the society (Corrigan, Larson & Rusch, 2009).

In the past, extensive research has been documented on the relationship between mental illness and stigma. Decades of research have also been done on stereotypes of men and women. However, studies done on mental illness and stigma rarely have an emphasis on gender differences, which hugely contributes to the way stigma is perceived (Chandra & Minkovitz, 2006, p. 19). Mental illness stigma is a belief that individuals with mental illnesses are different; individuals dealing with mental illness are commonly labeled as weird, attention seeking, crazy, incompetent, and other negatively biased connotations. The attitude of stigma towards mental illness leads to discrimination and discouragement and is a barrier to living a life of full potential.

Stigmatization of mental illness is a universal struggle. Media and politicians calling non-mentally ill criminals ‘crazy’ or ‘insane’ has been a common issue and further increases the defaming of people with mental illness by associating them immediately with violence and crime. Studies throughout the world have shown stigmatization is a global issue though there are different degrees of stigmatization through different cultures and communities. For example in India people with somatic forms of depression less stigmatized than people with more, visible symptoms of depression. It was also found that people living in urban environments are more likely to experience stigma. Families are also known to stigmatize a mentally ill relative through

The stigma around mental illness acts as a barrier to the mentally ill. Individuals desire to avoid the public stigma which causes them to drop out of treatment. The prejudice and discrimination of mental illnesses are just as disabling as the illness itself (Corrigan).

society respond to those classified as having a mental illness. These questions can be answered

Stigma has been said to be “a feeling of being negatively differentiated owing to a particular condition, group membership or state in life”(Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012, p. 458). There are typically two types of mental illness stigma that are discussed. Public stigma, also known as societal stigma, is the stigma associated with the prejudicial attitudes the public holds towards those people who suffer from mental illness (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012; Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan & Kubiak, 2003). Self-stigma, also known as internalized stigma, is the loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, and personal shame that some with mental illness will experience. Self-stigma is usually developed when those who suffer from mental illness associate the negative stereotypes the public holds with themselves (Chronister, Chou, & Lieo, 2013; Corrigan et al., 2003).

Stigma can be expressed in various term, it can be a brand, labelling or identification. It is a differentiation of a person resulting to a boundary between “us” and “them” (Link and Phelan 2001). These affect consumers in a way they are discriminated and treated differently because they have mental illness. The effect of stigma can take away the rights of consumers who are suffering from mental illness causing social dilemmas (SANE Australia 2013). A survey shows 74% of consumers experience stigma from school, work, and social activities. Consumers had only one feedback, to reduce stigma so they can go with their life peacefully and engage in normal social activities without discrimination (SANE Australia 2006). It is

Corrigan argues that clinical diagnosis might exacerbate the stigma of mental illness. In Corrigan’s study clinical diagnosis adds groupness for the collection of people with mental illness which worsens the level of prejudice (Corrigan 34). Corrigan states that this ultimately leads to overgeneralization, as there is an assumption that all individuals diagnosed with the same mental disorders behave the same way (Corrigan 34). According to Corrigan the stereotypic description of mental illness perceives to the public that, people with diagnosis are not likely to recover from those disorders, which can lead to pessimistic attitudes from the public (Corrigan 35). Corrigan suggests that one of the solutions is to understand the diagnosis

The notion of “labelling” individuals with mental illness diagnoses and its subsequent consequences has in particular been a tremendous learning experience. The labelling theory proposes that cultural stereotypes of mental illness serves as a self-fulfilling prophecy, through which patients play a expected role, hence validating the original definition (Jones & Cochrane 1981, p.100). Furthermore, labelling companied with stigma associated with mental illness makes performance of social roles challenging; extensively lessening the quality of patients’ lives. Studies have depicted that individuals suffering from mental illness also suffer from the perceived stigma that they are damaging their material, social and psychological wellbeing. Furthermore,

To whomever it is from, it creates a big impact in different ways. First off, stigma is consisted of four social cognitive processes called cues, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination (Cummings, Lucas, and Druss, 1). According to Cummings, Lucas, and Druss, cues are the labels, physical appearances, symptoms, social skill deficits and triggers the stereotypes; these are the negative structures that are related to mental illness, for instance, the idea that they are thought to be more violent in behavior. The stereotypes relates to the prejudice which is the rejection while discrimination is the behavior of the person rejecting someone with a mental illness (Cummings, Lucas, and Druss, 1). Adding on to the idea of stigma, there are two kinds, public stigma and self stigma. Public stigma is the societal response that the people have to the attributes of mental illnesses and can be a form of prejudice and behavioral reaction (Bathje, Pryor, 163-163). Self stigma is the psychological impact of possessing the characteristic and the impact of public stigma. Knowing what stigma is, one of the troubles that can occur because of it is the negative emotional response a person with psychological challenges goes through. Because of the prejudice and discrimination, it is a likely response for them to feel low self-esteem, shame, fear, and embarrassment, and because of the negative emotional response, it can lead to isolation or limiting their social

When someone seems to be different from us, it is possible to deal with him, negative because of stereotypes. Individuals, who have been negatively evaluated by society, are described as stigmatized. Stigma is a reality for people with mental illness and is one of the biggest obstacles for an integrated and satisfying life.

Every human is born with his own uniqueness but sometimes this uniqueness can be bugged by a tragic mental illness. This mental illness can push the victim into the gloom of non-ending stigma. Stigma is defined as a sign of disgrace and discredit, which sets a person apart from others. (Byrne, 2000). Moreover, Stigma occurs when a person has some distinctive characteristics or personal trait which gives other people an opportunity to perceive negative thoughts about that particular person with typical characteristics besides; negative attitude and false belief towards people with mental illness are common. As a result of stigmatization these people prefer staying alone and bound themselves in the darkness of isolation.