Labels and stigma

LABELS AND STIGMA

POSITIVE: easier name for it --> can treat it determining prevalence communication among experts can find others with similar experiences they feel validated quickly medicalisation reduces stigma? access to services pharmaceutical interests involved useful for reading information/research about it avoiding them can seem unprofessional - our world likes labels

NEGATIVE: process of 'othering' puts them in a box - identity understood in relation to that dehumanising seen as unable to speak for selves fixed biological statements can be scary clients can be affirmed in other ways- eg empathy subtle effects on how patients think of  themselves, how they feel and behave 'one size fits all' - but it doesn't made to feel like a hypochondriac - not always feeling bad, feel stupid seeing them then makes certainty out of uncertainty pathologising everyday life (eg DSM - childhood, removing bereavement clause) easy way out - causes not engaged with closes down conversation create distance - 'us and them'

Social workers should learn to be okay with uncertainty and learn to 'lean in' to messiness.

Positives and Negatives