Stigma of Schizophrenia
Stigma leaves a strong mark on the lives of people with mental illness and among those with Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is one of the most stigmatized of all mental illnesses. The most common myths about people with schizophrenia are that they are frequently violent, childlike, or irresponsible which leaves people treating them in a negative fashion. In addition, people with mental illness are held more responsible for their disorders than people with other disabilities, resulting in discrimination in areas such as work and housing, and self-stigma leading to poor self-esteem. There are even beliefs that people with mental illness are making it up and that it's "all in there mind." Another unseen aspect of stigma is that it can also contribute to the patients denying they even have the illness. By feeling like the illness is something to be ashamed of or thinking that the illness is something it is not this can cause people to refuse treatment and not seek out the help they need.