everyminute

Stigma

Posted on 08/21/08, 11:04 am

I just found a great article about stigma: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/...

Stigma is a mark of disgrace or shame. It has four components:

* Labeling someone with a condition

* Stereotyping people with that condition

* Creating a division - a superior "us" group and a devalued "them" group, resulting in loss of status in the community

* Discriminating against someone on the basis of their label



Here are some ways you can cope with and help end stigma:

* Get appropriate treatment. Don't let the fear or anticipation of being stigmatized prevent you from seeking treatment for your illness. For some people, a specific diagnosis provides relief because it lifts the burden of keeping silent and also underscores that you aren't alone - that many others share your same illness and issues.

* Surround yourself with supportive people. Because stigma can lead to social isolation, it's important to stay in touch with family and friends who are understanding. Isolation can make you feel even worse.

* Make your expectations known. People may not know how to support you, even if they want to help. Offer specific suggestions and remind people of appropriate language.

* Don't equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "a schizophrenic," call yourself "a person with schizophrenia." Don't say you "are depressed." Say you "have depression."

* Share your own experiences. Speaking at events can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and also educate the public about mental illness. Until you gain confidence, you may want to start at small events, such as talks at a support group or a local chapter of a national advocacy group.

* Monitor the media. If you spot stigmatizing stories, comic strips, movies, television shows or even greeting cards, write letters of protest that identify the problem and offer solutions.

* Join an advocacy group. Some local and national groups have programs to watch for and correct archaic stereotypes, misinformation and disrespectful portrayals of people with mental illnesses.

• Reply #1 08/28/08  3:43am
  
  tom2687
  This all takes courage to step up and be recognized. It is very hard to stand up and stand out because you will be calling attention to yourself. Tom
• Reply #2 08/30/08  10:16am
  
  sugarbaker01
  I agree with tom2687, it takes alot of courage to stand up and be recognized. I haven't told alot of people in my life about my illness because I don't know how they will react. I'm afraid that they will have a poor reaction or will stop talking to me as one so-called friend did when I told her about my depression. I can't afford to lose more people in my life.
• Reply #3 09/01/08  12:43am
  
  JenJen2174
  I don't feel stigmatised...but, I see what you are saying to speak out about Bipolar disorder. It is hard to place yourself on the front of something so intimidating, and I use that word because of the ignorance of others perceptions of the Mentally Ill... For example, look at the news report of the woman who was Mentally Ill and killed her five children. I was actually compared to her when I opened up to a family member while we were having a conversation.
  To say I feel stigmatised--hope I spelled it right---is like saying I can't function as a person. I refuse to place myself in a situation where I may feel vunerable to others...Which is why I am adament about my own Mental Health and support system. The woman that said that awful statement has no clue about Mental Illness, and my guess is that she has no empathy for anyone.
  Yes, it is necessary to stand up for who we are, but the first thing Mentally Ill people have to do is live our own lives, and make sure we seek treatment to live as functioning life as possible.
  They aren't standing up for the stigmatisism of Mental Illness, I believe that they are standing up for the fight of Mental Illness. We need the respect that we are strong and we can live normally.
• Reply #4 09/19/08  11:29am
  
  Teardrop665
  thanxs for the great info
• Reply #5 01/19/09  12:41am
  
  LaVivre
  Great information. Thanks.
• Reply #6 01/22/09  5:22pm
  
  EnderJ
  I was up camping last summer and the campground host came up to us to collect the fare to stay in the park. He was an older man late 40's early 50's and enjoyed talking to the campers in the area. He starts talking about a kid that he worked with and how he was segregated from everyone else because he admitted having bipolar. He compared opening up as having bipolar to coming out of the closet and saying you are a homosexual. I cleaned it up a bit for this discussion but, you get the point.
  Last year I had to quit my job because of medical reasons. I tried going back and had to admit that the medical reasons were linked to me having bipolar. Now they don't want to bring me back even though I am very capable of doing the job. The first time I spoke with head of HR he said there were two guys in front of me that they had already promised jobs to and then a couple weeks later that number turned to four.
  He made his point loud and clear. I voluntarily quit so they don't have to bring me back on and because I voluntarily quit I have no rights to sue them or say that they are going against the ADA in this.
  Going back to the campground host and listening to him I kept thinking that there are many people in management positions that look at people with mental illness that exact same way. Only close friends and family members will know about my illness otherwise I will not talk about having it.
• Reply #7 02/13/09  8:23am
  
  pattycake04
  when I think of the word stigma I think of a action that is done intentionally because of ignorance. the act or action displayed has never thought of as mental abuse. But come to think of it is the main way that society has overlooked how that it can affect and has affected mentally ill people for ages.Instead of people learning more about the illness people just assume the way that it has been should be the stay. In people's mind.
• Reply #8 03/15/09  9:03am
  
  mishaC
  I'm a prisoner of my own home because of stigmatism. I know it's of my own choosing, but I find it's more trouble than its worth, going out & dealing with the hostile & ignorant people who'd just as soon as sweep you under the rug or not have to look at you or deal with you.
  A few years ago a person with schizophrenia here shot & killed 5 people including 2 police officers. That really wigged people out. Now I'm dealt with extreme predjudice & hostility.
  I wish the markets werent so bad now, I'd be more than willing to move to an area thats more open & liberal.
• Reply #9 03/16/09  2:36am
  
  LaVivre
  the most important thing the diagnosed individual can do for themselves is realize that nobody can see their illness, so they really have no need to identify themselves with the illness when interacting with others...I have met a few people who felt the need to explain away their conditions, when there really was no need for them to do so, other than if they felt better doing it,
  
  it really isn't anyone's business in my opinion what diagnosed illness a person has, I mean come on already, are the folks with constipation and hemorhoids fessing up? should we get them to apologize to everyone they meet for being constipated??? me thinks my point is made (grin)
• Reply #10 03/16/09  11:15am
  
  mishaC
  Dont be so proud of yourself. I for one am not out putting myself on exhibition or telling the world what ales me. Thats my business, no one elses. The public isnt stupid though, they figure things out by themselves sooner or later, especially when they see you enough times at the store or around town.
  

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