Does the Stigma Prevent Seeking Treatment?

[katharina]

I know there are some diseases, mostly mental and sexually transmitted, that carry stigmas causing sufferers to be slow to seek treatment. I assume that schizophrenia is one of them. Has perception gotten better over the last decade... or worse?

[Taggart]

I'd be interested in the answer to this.

My perception is that in most cases, people suffering from Schizophrenia are urged by friends and family to seek help, rather than voluntarily seeking it.

[Green-Moo]

Many sufferers of schiophrenia don't view themselves as having a problem.

There are so many books and articles telling horror stories of people who have been institutionalised due to mental illness that I sometimes wonder that anybody seeks help.

[mollyL]

Since the schizophrenic has, by definition, impaired perception, they must rely on the judgment of others to guide them in a realistic and objective way. But concerning the other issues you bring up, we may still be in the dark ages.

[tater03]

I agree that it is others that help them to end up getting the help they need. I will say that there is a stigma though in the way others will look at a person once they are diagnosed with this which is sad and could stop someone from teaching others about having and how to live with this disorder.

[Calypso]

Often people with schizophrenia don't know they need help, at least at first. They believe their hallucinations and delusions are real. Family members sometimes put off seeking help for them because of the stigma of having a "crazy" relative. It's all very sad.

[tater03]

It is sad and honestly if I suspected a family member of having it the stigma for me personally would be the last thing I would be worried about.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by Calypso

Family members sometimes put off seeking help for them because of the stigma of having a "crazy" relative. It's all very sad.

Yep, that's what I was thinking, too. There are all kinds of meds that may help but I do think that a lot of families would just rather sweep it under the rug because of the stigma. You're right... very sad.

[tater03]

That is sad that so many doors are closed once you are diagnosed. That right there might stop people from getting diagnosed.

[Green-Moo]

Most people don't understand mental health problems, and the media don't help. Most stories you see about people with mental health issues are all about them pushing people under trains or something awful. You rarely see anything about ordinary people living ordinary lives who are no threat to anyone.

[Ambe]

Yes, there is still a stigma attached with Schizophrenia. As for this stopping people from getting help, I don’t believe that is the main reason. Impaired perception is the main reason. It usually starts in the late teen years, which is when hormonal changes are occurring and a person is dealing with many issues. Family members usually feel helpless and sometimes are unable to do anything for the person until he/she is a danger to himself/herself or others.
My daughter and two of my sisters suffer from Schizophrenia, and so did my deceased mom.

[Nutrition Counselor]

I think the stigma to fear the unknown will always be around which is very unfortunate.
B3 has been shown to treat schizophrenia!

[Ambe]

Just a thought, but is this forum for people and their family who suffer from Schizophrenia? I feel like that we're being talked about (I'm not being paranoid). Just my observation. I've come for help to deal specificaly with my daughter. I know other people can discuss this topic, but I want to seek help from those who know what I am going through and maybe get some insight from those who suffer from the illness. If I am in the wrong forum, could anyone make a suggestion to a forum that is for that? Thx for reading

Ambe