Joaquín Díaz Atienza
INTRODUCTION
The social stigma surrounding psychiatrists is closely linked to the stigma faced by those with mental illness. Contrary to what we might think, this stigmatization of psychiatrists is not only perpetuated by the general population but is also disseminated within some (perhaps most) psychology departments, with the sole aim of empowering a profession with virtually no history in the specific field of healthcare. But let's take a broader look at the most common stereotypes, both among the general population and within other medical professions, medical students, patients and their families, and finally, the media.
The statements that follow are a summary of the content that appears in two guides published by the World Psychiatric Association (2009) and European Association of Psychiatry (2015), guides that contain a series of recommendations to fight against the stigmatization of psychiatry, the psychiatrist and, therefore, the mentally ill person.
1. Stereotypes about psychiatrists in the general population
The first thing that emerges from the research is a lack of awareness regarding the theoretical and practical training of psychiatrists. Most people are unaware that psychiatrists are medical doctors and that psychiatry is a medical specialty. Those who are aware of their medical qualifications tend to undervalue their training.
– A large part of the population doesn't know the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist. They mistakenly believe that psychologists are medical doctors, even though they use non-pharmacological therapeutic procedures. Similarly, they think that psychiatrists can only prescribe medication. Others believe that psychiatrists deal with truly "crazy" patients, while psychologists deal with less serious problems (psychologist = doctor who deals with less serious, unimportant problems; psychiatrist = professional who deals with truly "crazy" people). As is easily understood, this approach, based on fear of mental illness, contributes to the stigmatization of psychiatrists as "crazy" and "pill-pushers," and elevates the professional image of the clinical psychologist.
-The idea has also spread that psychiatrists exercise a repressive function and are hostile towards patients.
– Some people think that when a psychiatrist performs forensic examinations, rather than issuing an objective report, he is interested in the economic aspects, thus providing an alibi for lawbreakers and criminals.
– There is a considerable body of literature that portrays the psychiatrist as crazy, strange, and abusive towards patients, exploitative, who abuses his power and, on occasion, tries to obtain sexual favors from his patients.
2. Stereotypes in the assessment of the psychiatrist among health professionals
– Within the medical community, psychiatrists are considered professionally inferior, like crazy or oddballs whose knowledge doesn't belong in medicine. We frequently hear phrases like, "You have to be crazy to work with crazy people." This stereotype, sometimes even accepted by psychiatrists themselves, leads to discrimination and marginalization among medical professionals.
– Some people consider psychiatrists to be emotionally unstable and therefore incapable of helping patients.
– Psychology departments promote a derogatory view of psychiatry and psychiatrists among students. The idea is that psychiatrists lack the necessary training to provide satisfactory therapeutic care to patients. This view has been and continues to be used in social engineering techniques through official colleges of psychologists and professional associations, disseminating and reinforcing these stereotypes through their media appearances.
3. Stereotypes among medical students
Some surveys of medical students have revealed opinions such as that psychiatrists are not truly doctors, but rather deserters of medicine, confused, insecure, ineffective, useless, and using language incomprehensible to the medical profession. This opinion varies depending on whether or not they have completed clinical rotations in psychiatric services.
4. Stereotypes among patients and family members
The opinion among patients and their families is quite ambivalent: on the one hand, he is valued positively and, on the other, as a controlling and arrogant person.
5. Stereotypes in the media
It's not uncommon to encounter stereotypes such as the uselessness of psychiatrists and the ineffectiveness of their treatments. There's a persistent and deliberate perpetuation of stereotypes portraying psychiatrists as controlling, malicious, prone to collaborating with the most repressive elements of the state, and even as human rights violators. They are held responsible for the shortcomings of the mental health system. In a US study of films dealing with mental health issues, 50% depicted psychiatrists as helpful and friendly, while the other 50% portrayed them as evil and human rights violators.
In the next post: PSYCHIATRY: A STIGMATIZED SPECIALTY. SOME STEREOTYPES
