Stigma Common Among Danish Adolescents with Psychosis Diagnosis: Study

Introduction

A recent study published in Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry sheds light on the common experiences of Danish adolescents who have been diagnosed with psychosis. The study found that stigma related to psychosis is a significant issue for these individuals. The work is part of a larger research project called the Tolerability and Efficacy of Antipsychotics (TEA) trial and aimed to explore how adolescents experience and manage stigma around psychosis.

Strategic Disclosure as a Common Stigma Management Strategy

The study found that strategic disclosure (or non-disclosure) of the experience of psychosis is a common stigma management strategy used by adolescents. The participants reported that psychosis was more stigmatizing than other mental health diagnoses. Disclosure can be therapeutic and normalizing when the audience is understanding, but it can also lead to stigmatization. As such, participants carefully managed their choices around disclosure to navigate potential stigma.

Fear of Not Being Understood Can Discourage Disclosure

Fear of not being understood was a common consideration in disclosure decisions. This fear played into decisions around disclosure before, during, and after the event. Participants reported greatly valuing people who understood what they were going through.

Careful Consideration When Disclosing Diagnosis

The participants carefully considered when, how, with who, and to what extent to disclose their diagnosis. This included strategies such as assessing other’s states of mind and previous experience around psychosis, assessing the closeness and strength of the relationship, choosing which aspects of their diagnosis may be necessary or beneficial to share, choosing the method of disclosure, and timing disclosure to be less stigmatizing. Participants frequently reported having to revise disclosure strategies based on poor outcomes.

External and Structural Factors Influencing Disclosure Decisions

The study found that external and structural factors, like the expectation of openness in maintaining relationships, can also heavily influence disclosure decisions. Adolescents may be especially susceptible to social pressure to disclose as they are more peer-oriented than adults.

Finding Understanding: Importance of Centering Participants’ Experiences

Participants also reported experiencing social pressure to disclose. The authors note that finding understanding and shared experiences is a key factor in managing stigma. The researchers emphasized the importance of centering the participants’ experiences, especially when non-stigmatized experts study issues related to stigmatized groups.

Conclusion

Stigma around mental health diagnoses continues to be a significant issue for individuals living with mental health conditions such as psychosis. The study highlights the importance of centering individuals’ experiences and the need for psychosocial approaches to mental health care to combat stigma. Developing strategies to combat stigma is crucial for improving the mental healthcare system and improving the lives of those living with mental health diagnoses.

Originally Post From https://www.madinamerica.com/2024/07/adolescents-with-psychosis-in-denmark-i-didnt-want-the-psychotic-thing-to-get-out/

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