Self Stigma And Mental Illness
Self-stigma has long been an issue and consequence for people suffering from a mental illness, despite an increased understanding of diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, negative attitudes and misperceptions about those living with mental disorders are still prominent today (Ward, 2014). When individuals are faced with the onset of a mental illness such as schizophrenia, stereotypes become more relevant to the self. That is, those suffering from the mental illness may choose to incorporate the prejudice and stereotypes that society has constructed into their own self-concept. This is because ideas about ourselves are often profoundly shaped by how we believe others see us, therefore one’s self-concept can be viewed as a social-construct
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In particular, individuals living with conditions such as schizophrenia are vulnerable to internalising the public stigma and discrimination (Corrigan & Rao, 2012). Consequently, they begin to believe the negative attitudes held by society such as dangerousness, blame, social incompetence resulting in self-discrimination particularly in the form of self-isolation (Corrigan et al., 2009). Additionally, stigmatised individuals also tend to share the same beliefs and views of what is 'good' and what is 'bad' as those who stigmatise them (Ward, 2014). As a result of the processes of self-stigma, a vicious cycle is reinforced between the interaction of social and self-stigma, most importantly it creates a barrier to recovery and produces feelings of shame leading to poorer treatment adherence (Kamaradova, et al., 2016). Another consequence which results from internalising self-stigma results in the “why try” effect, in which self-stigmatisation interferes with fundamental motivation to attain life goals while harming self-esteem and self-efficacy. Other studies also confirm that the negative effects from self-stigma diminishes self-esteem and feelings of self-worth which significantly hinders management of their illness (Drapalski et al., 2013). However, not everyone who experiences stigma will suffer its negative effects, some people react to stigma with empowerment while others remain indifferent and unaffected (Corrigan & Watson,
In particular, individuals living with conditions such as schizophrenia are vulnerable to internalising the public stigma and discrimination (Corrigan & Rao, 2012). Consequently, they begin to believe the negative attitudes held by society such as dangerousness, blame, social incompetence resulting in self-discrimination particularly in the form of self-isolation (Corrigan et al., 2009). Additionally, stigmatised individuals also tend to share the same beliefs and views of what is 'good' and what is 'bad' as those who stigmatise them (Ward, 2014). As a result of the processes of self-stigma, a vicious cycle is reinforced between the interaction of social and self-stigma, most importantly it creates a barrier to recovery and produces feelings of shame leading to poorer treatment adherence (Kamaradova, et al., 2016). Another consequence which results from internalising self-stigma results in the “why try” effect, in which self-stigmatisation interferes with fundamental motivation to attain life goals while harming self-esteem and self-efficacy. Other studies also confirm that the negative effects from self-stigma diminishes self-esteem and feelings of self-worth which significantly hinders management of their illness (Drapalski et al., 2013). However, not everyone who experiences stigma will suffer its negative effects, some people react to stigma with empowerment while others remain indifferent and unaffected (Corrigan & Watson,