Psychiatric, psychological and ethical determinants of the phenomenon of self-stigmatization of mental illness – literature review

AbstractIntroduction: In psychiatry and psychology stigmatization consists in labelling a person suffering from a disorder with the stigma of mental illness, associated with numerous negative stereotypes that are established in both individual and social mentality.Objective: The aim of the present article is to present the phenomenon of self-stigma from the perspective of psychiatric patients, including patients suffering from schizophrenia, to scientific consideration.The state of knowledge: The available data on this subject suggests that schizophrenia is particularly stigmatized, and the degree of stigmatization of patients with this diagnosis is worsening. Self-stigma plays a significant role in various areas of patients’ lives, sometimes discouraging them to continue therapy. Psychiatric patients have to face not only the symptoms of their disorders, but also stigmatization. In the event patient’s self-stigmatization of mental illness occurs, a responsible psychiatrist and psychologist conducting the therapy has the moral obligation to supervise the process of psychiatric and psychological assistance in the context of the aforelisted issues.Conclusions: The problem of self-stigmatization of a psychiatric patients is a topical issue that is well worth further exploration in order to better understand and help patients more effectively.

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Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness and Its Relation with Self- Esteem and Social Support among Psychiatric Patients

Evidence-Based Nursing Research ◽

10.47104/ebnrojs3.v1i3.50 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Amany A. Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Addiction Treatment ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Internalized Stigma ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Stigma Score ◽

Stigma Of Mental Illness

Context: Mentally ill patients challenging dual difficulties that are illness and stigma. Internalized stigma viewed as maladaptive psychosocial phenomena that can affect all aspects of mentally ill patient life. Aim: The current study emerged aiming to assess internalized stigma of mental illness and its relation with self-esteem and social support among psychiatric patients. Methods: Descriptive research design used to achieve the aim of this study. A convenience sample of one hundred hospitalized psychiatric patients recruited for the study from inpatient units of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Hospital in Minia governorate. The data collection tools included socio-demographic and clinical data questionnaire, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: The findings show that less than half of patients have a severe level of total internalized stigma score. There is a highly significant correlation between overall internalized stigma score and its all subscales with self-esteem and social support. Conclusions: Internalized stigma level was high among psychiatric patients. A significant negative correlation found between total internalized stigma score with self-esteem and social support of the studied patients. The study recommended further studies regarding educational interventions to raise awareness and decrease internalized stigma among patient with mental illness. Besides, providing support for patient and families of mentally ill patients to promote their capacity to manage and cope with stigma.

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‘You don't bring me flowers any more’: an investigation into the experience of stigma by psychiatric in-patients

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.28.10.371 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 371-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joanna S. Bromley ◽

Sara J. Cunningham

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Patient Treatment ◽

Medical Patients ◽

Stigma Of Mental Illness ◽

The Status ◽

And Gender ◽

Relapse Rates

Aims and MethodA structured interview-based questionnaire was used to measure the number of cards and gifts received by 40 people undergoing psychiatric in-patient treatment, compared with an age- and gender-matched group of medical in-patients. The study also assessed the amount of disclosure of admission and diagnosis to family and friends in the two groups.ResultsThe psychiatric patients received about half as many cards as the medical patients (60 v. 112). Gifts to the psychiatric patients were often practical in nature and seldom included luxury items such as flowers. Disclosure of admission for mental illness (compared with the physical illness group) was significantly lower, both to family members (139 v. 193, P=0.041) and friends (74 v. 332, P=0.0001).Clinical ImplicationsThe stigma of mental illness is reflected in the secrecy surrounding disclosure of hospital admission and the lack of tokens of support. Clinicians should be aware of the resulting sense of isolation and shame, and the consequences for mental health in view of reduced social networks increasing the risk of future relapse rates. Reduced contact with mentally ill patients has implications for society as a whole in maintaining the status quo of stigma.

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Psychiatric Stigma and the Role of the Psychiatrist

Australasian Psychiatry ◽

10.3109/10398569709082096 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 72-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Garry Walter ◽

Alan Rosen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Interest Group ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Consumer Participation ◽

Broad Group ◽

The World ◽

Stigma Of Mental Illness

In 1996 the World Psychiatric I-Association (WPA) in conjunction with Lilly Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of a co-ordinated, multidisciplinary approach to counter the stigma of mental illness. In Australia a similar initiative – albeit on a much smaller scale – began six years ago with the establishment of ‘STIGMA’ (‘Stereotypes and Tags Interest Group in the Mental Health Arena’). The STIGMA Group was consulted to determine Australian consumer participation in the WPA initiative. The following paper describes how the STIGMA group emerged out of a preoccupation with public portrayals of psychiatric patients, their families and psychiatric professionals to become a broad group of stakeholders studying psychiatric stigma and possible ways of combating it. To our knowledge, an ongoing group devoted to the study of stigma had no precedent locally or overseas. It is beyond the scope of this paper to describe the origins, phenomenon and painful consequences of stigmatising individuals with mental illness and their families which has been considered in detail elsewhere [1–3].

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The stigma of psychiatric in-patient care

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.19.6.349 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 349-351 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jennie McCarthy ◽

Richard Prettyman ◽

Trevor Friedman

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Public Education ◽

Patient Care ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Family Members ◽

Hospital Site ◽

Willingness To Disclose ◽

Stigma Of Mental Illness

The differences in attitudes to their illness between selected groups of medical and psychiatric in-patients admitted to units on the same hospital site were investigated. Patients new to the services were asked about their willingness to disclose information about their admission to hospital and their diagnosis to family members, friends and people at work. Psychiatric patients were more likely to want to keep their admission and diagnosis a secret. They were also less sure of the nature of their diagnosis and the necessity of their admission. The results suggest that wider public education is needed to reduce the stigma of mental Illness.

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