Psych Unit Gangs: An Autoethnography

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Social Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Stigma surrounding mental illness is widely acknowledged.
• Inter-group stigma among individuals with different mental illnesses within psychiatric settings is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the phenomenon of stigma and hierarchy formation among psychiatric inpatients.
• To examine the specific experience of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders at the bottom of this hierarchy.
• To analyze the power dynamics between stigmatized groups, specifically those with substance use/mood disorders and those with psychotic disorders.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a personal perspective informed by the author's experiences.
• Applies sociological theories, including Goffman's concept of total institutions and Tajfel's social identity theory.
• Analyzes the formation of in-groups and out-groups within a psychiatric hospital.

Main Results:

• Hierarchies are established within psychiatric hospitals based on diagnosis and symptomatology.
• Patients with psychotic disorders experience significant stigma and marginalization from those with less severe diagnoses.
• Individuals with substance use and mood disorders can exert power over patients with psychotic disorders, reinforcing marginalization.

Conclusions:

• Patients quickly identify their position within the established hierarchy upon admission.
• Recommendations are proposed to mitigate stigma associated with psychotic disorders in popular culture.
• Addressing inter-group stigma is crucial for improving the hospital environment for all patients.