Stigma… and why we must dethrone it
What exactly is stigma and why does this all matter? Here is an excerpt from our founder’s graduate thesis to give you an introduction :)
Stigma is a social construct, and definitions vary between disciplines and circumstances. The word “stigma” is of Greek origin, signifying a mark that was pricked or burned into criminals or slaves to visibly distinguish them as inferior individuals who should be avoided. Historically, a variety of individuals have been stigmatized and discriminated against, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS patients, obese individuals, LGBTQ, psoriasis patients, those with mental illnesses, and individuals of diverse religions, cultures, and ethnicities.
Goffman’s (1963) definition of stigma is commonly used in the field of psychology. Goffman defines stigma as “an attribute that is deeply discrediting” and that minimizes an individual “from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one” (p. 3). Individuals that are stigmatized are devalued, regarded as deviant, and are the targets of prejudice by society. Link and Phelan (2001) extended Goffman’s (1963) notion of stigma to include four components: (1) labeling an individual based on differences, (2) associating the label with undesirable characteristics, (3) separating the labeled individual (i.e., “us” vs. “them”), and (4) discrimination/loss of status as a result of the label. Thus, individuals who are labeled experience detrimental consequences, whereas individuals who do not receive a label do not suffer the negative ramifications. Accordingly, being labeled as “mentally ill” or being identified by one’s diagnosis may result in experiencing stigma and its damaging effects.
Indeed, mental illness stigma is often considered a “second illness” as a result of its negative impact. Individuals with mental disorders frequently experience discrimination in the workplace, health care settings, and the community. Stigma can decrease self-esteem and tarnish social relationships, and is associated with poor well-being. Furthermore, stigma reduces life satisfaction with regard to employment, income, and housing, and is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, individuals with mental illness may anticipate and experience rejection due to their low opinions of themselves. This self-stigma (internalization of negative stereotypes, acceptance of others’ beliefs associated with the disorder, and resulting feelings of worthlessness) is common among individuals with mental illness. Stigma acts as a barrier for seeking treatment with various mental health disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, anxiety and affective disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders). Unfortunately, stigma can exacerbate mental illness symptoms and ultimately decrease chances for recovery. Even when individuals are in treatment and symptoms are improving, stigma continues to be an enduring factor that interferes with the lives of individuals with mental illness.
To put it simply, it’s time we d e t h r o n e stigma® from society!
Marie, Camille Mirabelle, "Obsessive-compulsive disorder stigma: Accurate and inaccurate portrayals in electronic media" (2017). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 402. https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/402