Stigma: Impacts and Strategies to Reduce

Running head: Stigma 1
Stigma
Name
Institution

Stigma 2
Stigma
Stigma is the shame attached to a condition or disorder which is considered socially
unacceptable by the society. It is a perceived negative attribute which causes an individual to
think less of another (Falvo, & Holland, 2017). Basically, stigma is a negative mindset which
leads to devaluation of another person. In most cases, the stigmatized people are marked out to
be different and are usually being blamed for the difference. Stigmatizing people with chronic
diseases means having fixed ideas and judgements
Impacts of stigma on chronic diseases
People who experience stigma are discriminated and marginalized and thereby becoming
more vulnerable. Stigmatized people may experience exclusion from the rest of the society hence
limiting their abilities. People with chronic diseases often identify stigma as a barrier to their
health and well-being. The social impacts on these people include reducing self-esteem and
dignity, damaging their social relationships and interactions. This may lead to a feeling of
embarrassment and fear (Hatzenbuehler, Phelan, & Link, 2013). Stigma also affects the
behaviors of people suffering from chronic diseases. In most cases, the stigmatized people are
bullied or even isolated which makes them shy away from asking for assistance
(HassanpourDehkordi, Mohammadi, & NikbakhatNasrabadi, 2016). The stigmatized people
often lack confidence and may never seek medical help until their conditions worsens. Others
may in turn disengage from the therapeutic interventions or even stop taking medications thereby
hindering their recovery. Additionally, stigma affects the cognitive thinking of the people
suffering from mental illness. Stigma can result into suicidal thoughts, delusions, hallucinations,