Fear of stigma is the worst killer of all.

Fear is an emotion we all experience because it is linked to survival. Fear is always emotional and often irrational; yet, major decisions are based on fear factors. One of our greatest fears is the fear of stigma because it leads to discrimination, ostracism and even victimization.
Because the fear of stigma is so great, many sufferers of mental, emotional and physical illnesses fail to get treatment from licensed medical professionals, leaving themselves vulnerable to detrimental complications or emotional devastation. Fear often causes sufferers to neglect treatment for what are often very treatable illnesses.

Merriam-Webster defines "stigma" as a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. It is an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is judged as unfavorable and leads to discrimination and unfair treatment in a society. It discredits and classifies an individual based on negative stereotypes causing self-rejection and rejection by others. Stigmatization can lead to diminished self-esteem and victimization because it is socially discrediting and even, socially acceptable. When the fear of stigma exists, rather than face negative consequences, many sufferers of emotional, mental, and certain physical illnesses choose isolation or self-medication, while their symptoms go unreported and untreated.

Based on statistics, one in four individuals (25%) will suffer a mental or emotional illness during their lifetime, but most of these occurrences will go unreported. According to an article published by the American Psychological Association, "Americans may be as suspicious of people with mental illness as ever...The Journal of Health and Social Behavior (Vol. 41, No. 2), finds that 68 percent of Americans do not want someone with a mental illness marrying into their family and 58 percent do not want people with mental illness in their workplaces." In certain professions or work industries, seeking help for mental or emotional distress is equivalent to a death sentence. After treatment, credibility is diminished and trustworthiness is all but destroyed.

Psychology professor Patrick Corrigan at the Illinois Institute of Technology blames the news media for the way mental illness is viewed.Those suffering mental, emotional, and some physical illnesses are viewed with suspicion or considered a danger to others and to themselves. Compared to the 1950's, people today are twice as likely to suspect mentally ill people of being violent. Statements linking random acts of violence to mental illness run rampant in today's society. For example, says Corrigan, "If a woman drowns her children, people speculate--the media speculates--that she must be off her medication." Such attitudes create fear of stigma among those who suspect they might be suffering from certain illnesses, so instead of seeking professional help, they opt for alternative, even illicit forms of self-medication.

With the present negative attitudes regarding mental health and its treatment, it's no wonder most people suffering emotional and mental challenges don't seek help. Rather than face stigmatization, many hide their symptoms and choose "quick-fix" options as forms of self-medication for illnesses that are highly treatable by health care professionals. With increasing rates of addiction and suicide, fear of stigma is the greatest adversary and worst killer of all. Isn't it time we stopped condemning people for illnesses beyond their control?

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/stigma.aspx
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/mental-illness-stigma.html#.VvXOR-zuZZU.twitter

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