Stigma onwards Flashcards
What is stigma?
A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person
What is social construction?
The enactment of stigma is about social interaction- it is about people’s responses to behaviour or physical appearance
What is the process of producing stigma?
Labelling- labelling human differences
Stereotyping- differences are linked to characteristics which form a stereotype
Othering- separating yourself (us and them)
Stigmatising- Devaluing people based on an attribute considered undesirable
Discrimination- acting differently towards people based on their attributes
What are the types of stigma?
Discreditable- keeping stigma hidden
Discrediting- stigma that can’t be hidden
Felt- shame you feel as a result of stigma
Enacted- discrimination by others
Courtesy- Felt by someone who is with someone who is stigmatised
What is the impact on individuals of stigma?
Internalising- absorbing the social views of others on you
Passing- passing ones self off as being normal but can still have felt stigma
Covering- not disclosing something which they could be stigmatised for- like a blind person wearing sunglasses
What is stress?
An imbalance between demands made on us and our personal resources for dealing with these demands
What are the primary and secondary appraisal of stress?
Primary- appraisal of event
Secondary- Appraisal of personal coping skills to deal with event
What are the 4 components of the stress response?
Emotional- feeling sad, on edge, irritable
Cognitive- can’t concentrate, difficulty switching off
Behavioural- change in appetite, smoking, drinking
Physiological- raised heart rate and resp rate
What is symptom amplification?
Misinterpretation and amplification of symptoms due to stress and other psychological factors
Who is more likely to misinterpret symptoms?
People with: A tendency to worry Mental illness Illness beliefs Previous serious illnesses
How do MUS arise during times of stress?
Misinterpretation of normal bodily sensation
Exaggeration of minor pathology due to stress
What is illness cognitions?
A patients own implicit common sense beliefs about their illness
What are Leventhal’s 5 dimensions to illness cognition?
Identity Consequences Cause Control/ cure Timeline
What are positive coping strategies to illness?
Problem-solving- controlling problem and reconstructing it as manageable, seeking information and support
Emotion focused- involves managing emotions and maintaining emotional equilibrium
What are negative coping strategies to illness?
Problem focused- focuses on problem, unlikely to help reduce stress
What are MUS?
Physical symptoms not explained by organic disease and causing or impairing function, and where there is positive evidence that symptoms are linked to psychological factors
What are the consequences of living with MUS?
Uncertainty- no diagnosis or prognosis
Lack of social support
Can’t enter sick role
Strained relationships with family/ friends
What are the keys to manage MUS?
Acknowledge symptoms genuine Avoid implying symptoms in the mind Provide clear explanations of investigations and results etc. Promote self efficacy Help symptom management Initiate depression treatment if needed
What does the patient want in regard to MUS?
Alliance with doctor over problems
Wants the doctor to recognise they are suffering and its not their fault
A convincing explanation that is plausible and credible
What is exculpation?
Recognise reality of patient suffering and confirm that they are not the patients fault or responsibility
What is addiction?
Continued repetition of behaviour despite negative consequences
What are the symptoms of dependence syndromes?
Salience Tolerance Compulsion Physiological withdrawal symptoms Relief of symptoms by further use Neglect of other interests
What factors make a drug addictive?
Pleasure producing potency
Rapid onset of action
Short duration of action
Tolerance and withdrawal
