![]() ![]() Reference Black, Peters, Rui, Milliken, Whitehorn and Kopala18 Therefore, avoidance must be overcome to promote better outcomes for individuals.įollowing diagnosis, professionals may have used alternative labels such as ‘psychosis’ to limit the impact of the unique stigma associated with schizophrenia. Previous research suggests individuals with longer duration of untreated psychosis have worse clinical outcomes regarding symptom severity and social disadvantage. This highlights participants' determination to evade the specific diagnosis of schizophrenia to protect themselves from stigma at the price of receiving more appropriate treatment. Reference Corrigan and Watson17Īn important finding was that avoidance preceded diagnosis participants hid their experiences to avoid being labelled with schizophrenia, consequently receiving inappropriate treatments. Reference Link, Cullen, Struening, Shrout and Dohrenwend4 This finding draws on more recent literature on the apparent paradox of stigma as potentially resulting in a significant loss of self-esteem for some, whereas others may be energised or righteously angry about stigma and resist or denounce it. This contradicts long-standing theories that represent self-stigma as inherent for individuals labelled as ‘mentally ill’. Interestingly, there was a distinct lack of self-stigma in participants' statements all but one set concealment in the context of anticipating stigmatising reactions from others, rather than believing themselves to be in some way defective. Reference Dinos, Stevens, Serfaty, Weich and King12, Reference Link, Mirotznik and Cullen15, Reference Corrigan, Larson and Rusch16 Reference Brockington, Hall, Levings and Murphy13 There was an indication that professionals withheld detailed diagnostic information from participants, Reference Clafferty, McCabe and Brown7, Reference Leavey, King, Cole, Hoar and Johnson-Sabine14 contributing to their anticipation of negative reactions, which resulted in diagnostic secrecy and decreased social relationships. Reference Dinos, Stevens, Serfaty, Weich and King12 Participants also appeared to experience ‘benevolent stigma’, a reportedly common attitude towards people with other mental health problems but not specifically schizophrenia. Reference Corrigan, Markowitz and Watson10, Reference Link, Phelan, Bresnahan, Stueve and Pescosolido11 The findings also reflect those found elsewhere that the diagnostic label of schizophrenia, in part reflected in media reporting, is associated with greater stigma than other psychiatric diagnoses. a source of stigma and social exclusion, Reference Hayne1, Reference Pitt, Kilbride, Welford, Nothard and Morrison2 and reported being subject especially to perceptions of dangerousness and incompetence. Participants described the contradictory nature of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a means of access v. The findings reflect and expand on the literature. Participants were seen to describe constant social and psychological processes involved in avoiding schizophrenia, trying to understand it, managing the stigma surrounding it, and becoming it (i.e. Reference Harrison and Gill8 The current research aimed to contribute to existing literature and inform the practice of giving the diagnosis of schizophrenia by exploring individuals' subjective experiences of receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia and stigma relating to the diagnostic label. Research has neglected perceptions of diagnosed individuals about the experience, thus failing to substantiate diagnosis as a phenomenon of consequence. Reference Shea6 However, the importance of this experience remains largely silent within psychiatry and mental health services. Reference Watson, Corrigan, Larson and Sells5 Incorporating the ‘schizophrenic’ identity into a new self-concept may be part of the recovery process. ![]() Reference Link, Cullen, Struening, Shrout and Dohrenwend4 Alternatively, individuals may resist stigma and have a strong sense of group identity and empowerment. Reference Deegan3 Stigma can lead individuals to internalise negative attitudes, resulting in low self-esteem and social isolation. Reference Hayne1, Reference Pitt, Kilbride, Welford, Nothard and Morrison2 Evidence suggests it is an extremely powerful diagnosis that can have a devastating impact on a person's self-identity. a source of labelling and social exclusion. The diagnosis of schizophrenia may be contradictory: as a means of access and explanation v. ![]()
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