Stigma (continued)

Back on December 7th 2009 I wrote about the use of the term "stigma" in relation to mental illness (specifically depression), and how it's a euphemism for "shame", but sounds much better.

Today I would like to further the topic of the use of the term "stigma", and how it relates to other facets of depression.

Numerous articles and publications suggest that depression manifests itself differently in men and women adding that "Male Depression contains an extra stigma" (IE. Cultural gender bias). Once again, the word "stigma" sounds better to the ear. Synonyms of "stigma" in this context can include: "gender bias", "unfair disadvantage", and "inequality". Use of these terms (for male depression) would never be accepted.

Another part of mental illness and depression which is stigmatized is compliance (The word adherence can also be used). Compliance is defined as "The degree to which patients follow the medical recommendations of practitioners."

Compliance of mental illness and depression medications is judged much more severely than any other conditions. The person with lung cancer or emphysema who continues smoking, the person with high blood pressure who continues to drink heavily, not get regular exercise, continue eating a high fat diet, even not take their medication will likely get reprimanded, but they will not be portrayed as "weak-willed", or "just not wanting to help themselves".

Also, the idea that psychiatric medications are "more important" than medications for other conditions is false. The diabetic who misses his insulin is at much higher risk than the depressive who misses his anti-depressive medication or even the schizophrenic who misses his lithium.