Dealing with Prejudice and Ignorance
You cannot change everyone's attitude. You can try to educate and inform those you come in contact with informally, and you can join organizations to work to increase understanding on a wider scale. These are important efforts if you have the energy and time to devote to them. They will not change the fact, however, that during your day-to-day struggles you will encounter people who perpetuate the stigma against people overcoming psychiatric illnesses.
The challenges presented by uninformed individuals who promote harmful, stereotyped ideas about psychiatric illnesses will be your problem more than theirs. Therefore it is as important for you to learn how to deal with your reactions to stigma as it is for you to try to change this unfortunate fact of life. You can educate others, but you can't completely eliminate the ignorance behind the stigma.
Fact
Uninformed members of the general public easily misinterpret many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms involving lack of emotional expression and motivation, for example, may look like signs of laziness or of a weak personality. Of course, they are really symptoms of the brain disease.
Possible Sources of Stigma
Belief that patients are violent
Fear of what is not understood; ignorance of the disease
Negative media images of the mentally ill
Fear of being associated with mental illness
Unease with anything different
Seek the advice of a friend, therapist, or social worker. Share your feelings and frustrations with her. Talk to her about strategies for dealing with the problems you face. Listen to what she has to say.
Stigma's Effect on You as a Caregiver
Ultimately, dealing with stigma is a personal problem for which you must find a personal solution. You must recognize how you respond to the insult and how you let it affect you.
This is a difficult concept to realize. It requires considerable personal strength. You may need help reaching a mental state that enables you to care for your loved one and deal with negative attitudes with minimal effect on your morale. If you can't win over someone who is prejudiced against the mentally ill, let his ignorance pass around you.
Get on with the task of convincing yourself or the person you care for that some progress and recovery are possible. Continue your efforts to improve the care you are giving. Continue to seek benefits from self-help groups, therapy, and/or stress reduction programs.
Fighting Back
If stigma affects employment, housing, or other services, you can first confront the person or agency that is denying you or your loved one what is legally yours. If you receive no satisfaction, you have two choices. You can try someplace else — another employer or landlord, for example — or you can appeal to a regulatory agency or a court of law.
