Mental illness has been stigmatized in many societies all over the world for many years. People are not comfortable with the term “mental illness,” and any information regarding it is often swept under the rug. This can be seen as a direct result of the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
This stigma has become so prevalent that even today, individuals who have a mental illness may be reluctant to seek treatment because they’re afraid they’ll be judged by those around them. Other reasons highlighted by the American Psychiatric Association why individuals living with a mental illness might delay seeking treatment include not knowing where to find help and feeling ashamed and embarrassed to ask for help.
Stigma in Healthcare
The NCBI defines stigma as “…the negative attitudes and behaviors that result from the tendency to negatively judge or stereotype people with a particular disease, social condition or nonconforming behavior.”
Negative Impact of Stigma on Mental Illnesses
For those suffering from any kind of mental illness, the stigma surrounding it can be devastating. It can lead to
- Complete isolation from society
- Loss of self-esteem
- Suicide in severe cases
Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health mentions that every 1 in 5 US citizen suffers from mental illness. NIMH also reports 19.4 million US adults are depressed and 2.4% have schizophrenia. Even more staggering are the suicide rates associated with mental illnesses; those with bipolar disorder have a 19% lifetime risk, and those with schizophrenia have a 4.9% lifetime risk.
The stigma surrounding mental illness can be seen in various healthcare situations, including:
1. Insurance
Some insurance companies charge higher rates for individuals who have been treated in psychiatric hospitals or have had certain types of procedures performed on them such as electroconvulsive therapy.
2. Therapeutic Pessimism
Perhaps the most dangerous impact of mental illness stigma in healthcare settings is its negative effect on treatment and recovery. Therapeutic pessimism has been defined as the expression of negative views about a person’s ability to experience change or growth in response to psychotherapy.
Pessimistic beliefs about recovery may lead some healthcare providers to treat people with mental illnesses as if they have no hope for getting better, creating a barrier to disclosure, lack of engagement in care, and therapeutic alliance, which can contribute to the avoidance of treatment, non-adherence with treatment, and lower levels of self-efficacy and hope.
3. Lack of Awareness and Skills
Inadequate treatment may stem from a lack of awareness among primary care physicians as well as a lack of skills in addressing mental health issues in patients. It may also be caused by fear or anxiety related to stigma and discrimination on the part of health professionals that can negatively impact patient-provider interactions.
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