The Stigma Depression - An Interaction Between the Public Discourse and Accounts on the Lived Experience

Abstract

The public discourse on depression holds a negative picture of depression as opposed to the widespread normative desire to be a healthy and happy being. This norm strengthens the negative associations with depression and supports the stigmatization process. The aim of this study is to analyse media representations illustrating public opinion on depression and the way in which those representations interact with accounts on the lived experience. A qualitative discourse analysis was conducted with 22 sources for the media analysis and 9 for the individual accounts. Media representations increasingly portray the norm of the happy individual that is characterized by its energized, motivated and powerful personality. This implicitly underlines that people suffering from depression are diametrically opposed to the desired norm. In order to diminish the negative attitude towards depression and to reduce additional suffering, it is important to demystify the notion depression, especially in the therapeutic context.