Psychiatric stigma and mental health professionals (stigmatizers and destigmatizers)

This article presents a definition of the term psychiatric stigma, its development, dynamics and role in society. The role that psychiatrists have played in the past and are playing in the present is described. The different factors that influence this role are elucidated culturally, professionally and economically. Examples are given of where psychiatrists act as destigmatizers and, on the other hand, as stigmatizers. The article stresses the point that psychiatrists should always be on the alert that in fulfilling their therapeutic role they can either stigmatize more or destigmatize their patients. Consideration should be taken in the overall approach so that the benefits to a patient are always more than his or her losses. Psychiatrists and mental health professionals must constantly be alert to ensure that they are acting in the best interest of the patient.