Definition of Terms

Stigma
Before we consider what damage stigma can cause to someone with a mental health difficulty, we must firstly consider what 'stigma' means.

The most basic definition, as given by the Collins English Dictionary, is that Stigma means a distinguishing mark of social disgrace. 

Many writers have explored the concept of stigma in great detail, and many have come up with their own definitions.  One such definition is given by B. Link and JC Phelan in their paper 'Conceptualizing Stigma' (published in the Annual Review of Sociology, vol. 27).  They suggest that stigma occurs when "elements of labelling, stereotyping, status loss and discrimination co-occur in a power situation that allows the components of stigma to unfold".

This definition suggests that stigma is a set of various process and conditions, which when combined cause stigma.  It highlights the fact that stigma is not just about the attitude towards a person, but also how they are treated, and what effect this treatment has on the persons life.

Mental Health Difficulties - A Definition
While writing for this blog I was unsure about what all encompassing term I should use for describing the various disorders/illnesses I address.  In some cases I refer to mental illnesses but realise that this is not always the preferred term.  Many of the sources of information included here have their own preference.  Some examples include Mental Health Problems, Mental Health Disorders, Mental Health Difficulties and Mental Illnesses.

'AVision for Change - A Report of the expert group on mental health policy in Ireland' (2006) gave the the following definition for what they class as Mental Health Difficulties

'The full range of mental health difficulties that might be encountered, from the psychological distress experienced by many people, to serious mental disorders and illnesses that affect a smaller population.'

As this definition suggests, mental health difficulties encompasses a wide and varied group of illnesses and disorders.  The World Health Organisation classifies these in the 'International Classification of Diseases'. The classification of mental illnesses is confusing and not without its problems. Definitions are often confusing for someone without a medical background.  In addition classification can sometimes be a driver of stigmatisation - when a person becomes labelled with a specific 'title'. 

In its most basic, mental illnesses can be broken into the five most common catergories:

1. Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
2. Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia)
3. Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa)
4. Anxiety disorders (social anxieties, phobias)
5. Personality disorders (obsessive compuslive disorder)

This blog will contain information and resources on a few of the lesser understood conditions, in an attempt to raise awareness, and perhaps reduce the stigma surrounding them.

I am in no way an expert in mental health difficulties, and this will be a journey to increase my own knowledge and challenge my own perceptions and attitudes - I hope that this blog will also challenge you, the reader.

The following article published in the Irish Medical Times in September 2010, gives a good overview of some of the issue of stigma in an Irish context: Stigma of Mental Illness