Question

While stigma is often considered to be something that happens to people with mental disorders, there is also a concept of self-stigma, in which those who suffer with mental illness turn the stigma and prejudice towards themselves. How might this ‘self-stigma’ harm a person and how might it keep them from seeking treatment?

Answer 1

Self stigma occurs when people with mental illnesses start believing and internalizing the prejudices that exist against them. If people are consistently exposed to stereotypes about mental illness they may come to internalize them. Thus, they may end up believing that they are worthless or unworthy of love. It drastically lowers an individual's self esteem. It also lowers self efficacy in people with mental illness i.e.. the belief that they can successfully overcome the illness. As a result, they do not seek treatment for their illness because they develop this attitude of 'why bother if i am bound to stay like this'.