The World Health Organization’s Mental Health Consortium Surveys indicate that mental disorders constitute an increasing cause of disability and illness worldwide. Regrettably, while a significant number of affected individuals do not seek medical care, those who seek psychiatric care encounter several challenges, including stigmatization. Schizophrenia and trauma are two of the most complex mental health disorders, often with debilitating effects on individuals, families, and communities. Both disorders can be challenging to diagnose and treat and can have profound impacts on the quality of life of those affected. In this paper, I will discuss my fear associated with contacting patients with schizophrenia disorder and trauma disorder, provide examples of the diagnostic criteria used to identify these disorders, and explain the importance of understanding the complexities of the two disorders. Further, the paper proposes advocacy and creating opportunities for dialogue among affected patients as additional approaches for managing stigmatization at individual and social levels.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that affects how individuals think, feel, and behave (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). People with schizophrenia can experience psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking or speech. These symptoms can be frightening and disorienting and can profoundly impact how individuals interact with the world around them. People with schizophrenia may also experience difficulty in forming relationships and maintaining employment. The fear associated with contacting a patient with schizophrenia disorder is often related to the unpredictability of their symptoms and the potential for a dangerous episode to occur.
Trauma disorder is a mental health condition that can develop when an individual is exposed to a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, sexual or physical assault, or war (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Symptoms of trauma disorder can include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt or shame. Individuals with trauma disorder can also experience social isolation, as they may feel unsafe or uncomfortable in certain situations. As such, the fear associated with contacting a patient with trauma disorder is often related to the fear of triggering a traumatic memory or episode.
The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and trauma disorder are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). For schizophrenia, the DSM-5 outlines the criteria for diagnosis, which includes two or more of the following symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behaviour, or negative symptoms (Carter, 2014). For trauma disorder, the DSM-5 outlines the criteria for diagnosis, which includes the presence of intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself, and persistent symptoms of arousal.
Understanding the complexities of schizophrenia and trauma disorders is vital to providing effective treatment and support (Mattingly, Nasrallah, & Weiden, 2011). Healthcare professionals need to recognize the fear of contacting patients with these disorders and provide a safe and supportive environment for the patient. It is also essential for healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable of the diagnostic criteria and to use evidence-based approaches to identify and treat these disorders. Fear may be a normal response to contacting patients with schizophrenia disorder and trauma disorder. However, it is essential to be aware of the diagnostic criteria for these disorders and understand the complexities of these conditions to provide adequate and appropriate treatment (Corrigan & Kosyluk, 2013). Healthcare professionals must be sensitive to the fear associated with these disorders and provide a safe and supportive environment for the patient.
Stigmatization of individuals with trauma and schizophrenia has long been a significant societal challenge. Stigma can lead to social exclusion, lack of access to resources, and even physical and emotional harm (Corrigan, Watson, & Barr, 2004). Fortunately, besides the general approaches learnt in class for managing this stigmatization through education and exposure, several strategies can be employed to help overcome the stigma of these groups of individuals.
Quite inclusively, the stigmatization of individuals with trauma and schizophrenia can be combated by advocacy initiatives. Advocacy refers to the act or course of supporting a cause or proposal. Advocacy endeavours in psychiatric clinical care can be utilized to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and create lasting change for individuals with trauma and schizophrenia. For instance, a study conducted by Fovet et al. (2015) found that laws and policies that criminalize individuals with mental health issues, such as homelessness and substance use, can further marginalize and stigmatize these individuals.
Thus, advocacy initiatives can be used to change such laws and policies and create a more equitable and supportive environment for individuals with trauma and schizophrenia. Creating policies that protect individuals with mental health conditions can help reduce stigma (Glaize et al., 2019). Policies should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with mental health conditions. As Sugiura et al. (2020), policies can ensure access to services, protect against discrimination, and advocate for the rights of individuals with mental health conditions. By creating a supportive environment, considerate policymaking can reduce stigma and create a more inclusive society for those affected by mental health conditions.
Another strategy for addressing stigma is to create opportunities for dialogue and interaction between individuals with mental health conditions and the general public. For example, peer-support groups can provide a safe space for individuals with mental health conditions to share their stories and experiences in a supportive and non-judgmental environment (Corrigan, Watson, & Barr, 2004). This can help create an understanding of mental health conditions and reduce stigma. Creating opportunities for individuals with mental health conditions to interact with the general public can foster understanding and reduce stigma. This could be done through public events or forums where individuals with mental health conditions can share their stories and create a dialogue with the public.
Support groups allow individuals with similar experiences to share their stories and offer support to each other. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation and help create a sense of normalcy in the lives of those affected (Pathare, Kalha, & Krishnamoorthy, 2018). Additionally, support groups can provide a safe space for individuals to discuss their feelings and thoughts and to receive validation, understanding and empathy from others who have been through a similar experience. Support groups can also provide practical advice and guidance to individuals on how to cope with their trauma and schizophrenia, enabling them to gain control over their lives and manage their conditions more effectively. In addition, support groups can help to reduce stigma by educating individuals about the causes and effects of trauma and schizophrenia and by allowing them to challenge common misconceptions about these conditions.
In conclusion, approaches towards stigma control need to be multifaceted to respond to the numerous mechanisms that may result in disadvantageous outcomes. Such approaches should focus on addressing stigmatization in both individual and social settings. Accordingly, the stigma surrounding trauma and schizophrenia can be overcome by expanding management strategies beyond public campaigns and education to incorporate dialogue and advocacy. By taking these steps, clinical care can create a more supportive environment for those affected by mental health conditions and reduce the stigma associated with them.
References
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Carter, M. J. (2014). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Therapeutic recreation journal, 48(3), 275.
Corrigan, P. W., & Kosyluk, K. A. (2013). Erasing the stigma: Where science meets advocacy. Basic and applied social psychology, 35(1), 131–140.
Corrigan, P. W., Watson, A., & Barr, L. (2004). Strategies for reducing stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(4), 511–531. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a007137
Fovet, T., Geoffroy, P. A., Vaiva, G., Adins, C., Thomas, P., & Amad, A. (2015). Individuals with bipolar disorder and their relationship with the criminal justice system: a critical review. Psychiatric services, 66(4), 348-353.
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Pathare, S., Kalha, J., & Krishnamoorthy, S. (2018). Peer support for mental illness in India: an underutilized resource. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 27(5), 415–419.
Sugiura, K., Mahomed, F., Saxena, S., & Patel, V. (2020). An end to coercion: rights and decision-making in mental health care. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 98(1), 52.
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