Causes and Recommendations of Stigma in PTSD

Abstract

In addition to suffering from symptoms, individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also suffer from self-stigma and public stigmatization due to PTSD. This article examines the stigma that patients with PTSD usually experience, and whether these stigmas are related to the identity, economic status, and other co-occurring mental illnesses of patients. Through reviewing the previous studies, this paper discusses the causes, forms and effects of stigma. In addition, it was found that individualized psychotherapy programs and mindfulness can be effective in alleviating the stress of stigma for PTSD patients. And social acceptance and support for the PTSD community can be increased by managing content about the disorder on social media and changing the content framework of news organizations, such as increasing anti-stigma and introducing knowledge about PTSD. The social acceptance and support of the PTSD community can be increased by, for example, increasing anti-stigma and knowledge about PTSD. Future research should focus on addressing the stigma associated with mental illnesses such as PTSD and addressing the psychological damage caused by stigma.