Stigma of Mental Illness

Many persons whose conditions fit the definition of psychological disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) feel stigmatized by society. Yet, the same sort of stigmatization does not normally occur with most physical diseases.
Discuss the following:
• What does it mean to be stigmatized?
• What forms does stigma take regarding mental illness?
• Why does stigma exist with regard to mental illness?
• What steps would you propose be taken to reduce the sense of shame and stigma often experienced by those suffering from psychological disorders?
In formulating your answer, you may want to consider how most physical diseases differ from psychological disorders in terms of society’s response to persons suffering from them.
You will be assigned one discussion question this week that is worth 28 points.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.
Assignment 2 Grading Criteria: Maximum Points
Discussion Question Response:
Discussed the meaning of stigma and the forms it takes regarding mental illness.
Explained the reasons for the existence of stigma with regard to mental illness.
Proposed and explained the steps that could be taken to reduce the sense of shame and stigma experienced by those suffering from psychological disorders.
Discussion Participation:
Participated in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with rationale, challenging a point of discussion, or making a relationship between one or more points of the discussion.
While responding, justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and references from texts, Web sites, and other references or personal experience.
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources, displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Please use the DSM