People living with schizophrenia often face stigma. This is due to a limited understanding of the condition and harmful stereotypes.
Unlike what you might see in movies and on TV, people with schizophrenia aren't more dangerous than others. They can also attend school, go to work, and maintain relationships with the right support.
When people with schizophrenia have access to psychiatric care, they can lead fulfilling lives. Psychiatrists combat stigma by providing effective treatment.
Most people can sympathize with someone who has a physical injury. But people don’t always have the same attitude toward mental health conditions. This can be especially true for psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
To the untrained eye, schizophrenia symptoms can be confusing. Without prior knowledge, witnessing hallucinations or delusions can be unsettling. That’s one of the main reasons why the condition is so stigmatized. And, unfortunately, that stigma can make it harder to ask for help.
However, most psychiatric providers genuinely want to help their patients. They typically do this by prescribing medication to help people manage their symptoms. But they can also help patients challenge the misconceptions around schizophrenia. In the following guide, we'll dive into how working with a psychiatric provider to combat stigma can support your well-being.
1. Education and self-advocacy
Media is full of inaccurate, stigmatizing portrayals of schizophrenia [1]. Movies and TV shows often depict people with schizophrenia as violent or scary. It’s true that, without support, psychotic disorders can lead to unsafe behavior. But research shows [1] that this is far less common than you might think.
In fact, violence is more prevalent among people who don’t have schizophrenia. And people with schizophrenia are more likely to be the victims of violence.
A psychiatric provider can help you challenge these harmful misconceptions and strengthen your self-esteem. Learning the truth about schizophrenia can help you become a better advocate for yourself.
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2. Stronger relationships
Left untreated, schizophrenia can make it harder to maintain relationships. Symptoms like hallucinations and delusions can cause an isolating break in reality [2]. But these symptoms aren’t the only reason schizophrenia affects relationships.
Research shows that many people with schizophrenia often expect social stigma [3]. In other words, they anticipate discrimination before it even happens. This may prevent them from making friends or forming intimate relationships. They may isolate themselves to avoid rejection — especially if it’s happened in the past.
If stigma is negatively affecting your social well-being, you aren't alone. A psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) can provide medication to help you manage your symptoms. This, in turn, can make it easier to connect with others.
Your provider can also help you strengthen your support network in other ways. For example, they can refer you to group therapy, social skills groups, or other resources to help you feel less alone.
3. Improved functioning
One stigmatizing misconception about schizophrenia is that it prevents people from living independently. That can happen sometimes — especially if symptoms are severe and unmanaged. But it isn’t always the case. Many people with schizophrenia go to work, attend school, and maintain relationships.
If you have schizophrenia, remember that recovery is possible [4]. Psychiatric care can make a major difference in your daily functioning. With medication, therapy, and other types of support, you can work toward your goals and live a fulfilling life.
What’s more, when people with schizophrenia take highly visible roles in society, it challenges assumptions. Increased visibility can help reduce stigma and pave the way for greater acceptance.
4. Early and ongoing support
Most people have some knowledge of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. These conditions are so common that you likely know at least one person who lives with one of them. But this isn't always the case with less common conditions like schizophrenia. Stigma around schizophrenia persists because people tend to fear what they don't understand [5].
One person can’t overcome negative attitudes about schizophrenia on their own. But we all have a role to play in combating stereotypes and misconceptions. One of the most powerful ways to reduce the impact of stigma in your life is through psychiatric care.
As with other mental health conditions, early detection and intervention [6] are key. Accessing psychiatric services at the first sign of trouble can improve outcomes. And staying engaged with this type of care throughout your life can improve your functioning and quality of life.
A common mistake people make when talking about schizophrenia is believing that it’s always scary or threatening to other people. But the reality is that violence is typically very minimal in people with schizophrenia.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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Left untreated, schizophrenia can cause psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. Sadly, this condition is often stigmatized because it isn’t widely understood. Some people mistakenly believe that people with schizophrenia are violent or dangerous. These harmful misconceptions can make it harder for people to ask for help.
Fortunately, psychiatrists can play a meaningful role in combating the stigma surrounding schizophrenia. They can help you challenge stereotypes, increase your functioning, and manage your symptoms. They can also help you improve your relationships, grow your support network, and achieve your goals.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
References
- The Consequences of Stigma Surrounding Schizophrenia https://www.nami.org/media-and-pop-culture/the-consequences-of-stigma-surrounding-schizophrenia/
- Loneliness in schizophrenia: Construct clarification, measurement, and clinical relevance https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5863980/#abstract1
- Stigma, discrimination and medication adherence in schizophrenia: Results from the Swedish COAST study https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269186290_Stigma_discrimination_and_medication_adherence_in_schizophrenia_Results_from_the_Swedish_COAST_study
- Recovery from schizophrenia: is it possible? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29474266/
- Why Stereotypes About Psychosis Are Harmful https://www.nami.org/schizophrenia-spectrum-and-other-psychotic-disorders/why-stereotypes-about-psychosis-are-harmful/
- Detecting schizophrenia early: Prediagnosis healthcare utilization characteristics of patients with schizophrenia may aid early detection https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920996419303524
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Halee Fullerton, PMHNP-BC
Halee is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in outpatient community health with children/adolescents as well as inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She currently sees patients via outpatient telehealth. Before becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, she worked in emergency rooms, medical-surgical units, long-term care facilities (including Alzheimer/dementia units) and the intensive care unit.
She chose a career in mental health because she wanted to help people and to contribute to breaking down stigma around mental health. She is especially passionate about working with people who are navigating substance use disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety/trauma-related disorders. She has three labradoodles that she adores.
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