Final answer:
The stigma surrounding psychological disorders results in discrimination, systemic issues, and inadequate healthcare, affecting individuals' social integration and overall mental and physical health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stigma of psychological disorders has a profound impact on those suffering from mental health conditions. According to sociologist Erving Goffman, stigma can impede an individual's full integration into society by perpetuating discrimination and a spoiled identity. This societal prejudice extends to various healthcare institutions where individuals with mental disorders can receive substandard care. Further complicating the issue, stigma can deter people from seeking necessary help, potentially exacerbating their illnesses.
Discrimination faced by those with mental illnesses not only affects interpersonal relationships but also impacts the wider perception of those individuals within their community. Studies, including those from the field of social psychology, reveal how such discrimination contributes to negative mental and physical health outcomes for marginalized groups. Additionally, systemic issues and structural discrimination, as highlighted in the media and local policies, can also adversely affect the lives of those stigmatized for their mental health status.
Mental health issues, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders, to name a few, are categorized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is vital for diagnosis and understanding these illnesses. Being stigmatized due to mental illness can lead to being labeled and defined by the illness rather than being seen as a person with a full and complete identity.