[The stigma of mental illness from the patient's view--an overview].
OBJECTIVE
This study provides an overview of the research on subjective stigmatization of mentally ill people.


METHODS
All articles on this topic that have been published since the mid 1980 were analyzed.


RESULTS
Mentally ill people are exposed to stigmatization in many ways. The anticipated and experienced stigmatizations as well as their attempts chosen for coping have fatal effects on their social relationships, their working situation, and their quality of life. The same is true for the emotional well-being and the self-esteem of the ill. In addition, the fear of stigmatization has a negative effect on the help seeking behavior and the compliance of the ill with the psychiatric treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts aimed at reducing stigmatization of mentally ill people should not be confined to fighting the discrimination objectively existing, but should also take into consideration the subjective stigma experiences of the persons affected.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Universität Leipzig. krausem@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Matthias C
MC
Angermeyer
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role