There is a very good chance that you know someone who has an invisible illness, whether physical, mental, or both. This person may be a friend, partner, colleague, employer, teacher, or healthcare provider. Regardless of your relationship or their diagnosis, people with invisible illnesses need your support and respect. To help end the stigma, consider the following…
Understanding and Addressing the Stigma Experienced by People with First Episode Psychosis
This issue brief from the Illinois Institute of Technology examines research on how stigma impacts adults with serious mental illness and how these experiences are different for individuals who are experiencing first episode psychosis. Click Read More to see some of our favorite quotes or click the title to access the full report from SAMHSA.
VIDEO: "This is me, I've lived with schizophrenia for over thirty years and I've managed it"
In this video for Time to Change, Stephen shares about his experiences living with schizophrenia. “My condition fluctuates- today I'm feeling quite well, but other days I don't feel quite well. I've lived with this diagnosis over 30 years. It's not a nice thing to have to live with, but I've managed it.”
Overcoming Stigma
In an article for the NAMI blog, Gretchen Grappone talks about her personal journey with depression, including 10 years on Social Security Disability, unhelpful attitudes from health professionals, and completing her MSW by rejecting stigma. In response to the seeing the harmful effects of stigma in her own life and the lives of her clients, Grappone has developed a stigma-reduction training curriculum for health care providers called “Overcoming Stigma.” Click the title to learn more about her personal story, the 7 types of stigma, and examples from the curriculum.
Personal Story: Brenda, Bipolar Disorder
Since her initial diagnosis during the 1960’s, Brenda sought treatment for her bipolar disorder but kept it a secret for over 50 years. “Mental health stigma is something that causes fear, mistrust, or disgust, and it keeps people from accepting something or someone. Fortunately, those who don’t or won’t understand mental illness are fewer and fewer every day.” Click the title to access her full interview with Deconstructing Stigma.
Personal Story: Maria, Social Anxiety
Living Under the Stigma of an Invisible Illness
This Distorted Perceptions original article outlines one woman’s experience living with invisible physical and behavioral health conditions and it’s impact in the workplace, educational system, healthcare, and personal relationships. Check out the infographics for practical suggestions on combating stigma for loved ones, employers/ colleagues, educators, healthcare providers, and people experiencing invisible illness.
You're Faking It: Stigma Around Invisible Disability
"Because we live in a visual society, we assume that people are ‘more disabled,’ if we can see their disabilities. What do we do with this information?” This article from Custom Mobility Inc. has 2 calls to action: 1) it challenges “able-bodied people” not to make assumptions about people and their conditions before getting to know them, and 2) it challenges people with disabilities to fight stigma both internally and externally by understanding the distorted perceptions that can come from society. Click the title to access the full article.