Can We Breakdown Invisible Disabilities Stigma?

I use "Invisible Disabilities" in exchange for "Mental Illness" or "Mental Heath!" I bring this question up after a Warriors for Life (WFL) Group Support session we just had this last Saturday evening (19 Dec 2020) and below I will share a quick quiz and (5) steps from an article by Dr. David Susman, Ph.D., The Recovery Coach on how we can reduce the Stigma of Invisible Disabilities. Something I believe our veterans, active service members, and civilians need to practice and be edcuated on.

How do we become more aware of stigma? It’s usually easier to take a look at ourselves first before we try to change the rest of the world. To that end, here’s a brief self-assessment quiz on stigma and mental illness. Answer honestly; no one else will need to know your answers:

True or False:

1. There’s no real difference between the terms “mentally ill” and “has a mental illness.”
2. People with mental illness tend to be dangerous and unpredictable.
3. I would worry about my son or daughter marrying someone with a mental illness.
4. I’ve made fun of people with mental illness in the past.
5. I don’t know if I could trust a co-worker who has a mental illness.
6. I’m scared of or stay away from people who appear to have a mental illness.
7. People with a mental illness are lazy or weak and need to just “get over it.”
8. Once someone has a mental illness, they will never recover.
9. I would hesitate to hire someone with a history of mental illness.
10. I’ve used terms like “crazy,” “psycho,” “nut job,” or “retarded” in reference to someone with a mental illness.

The scoring is simple: One point for every true response. Unless your score is zero, you have had thoughts, feelings, or behaviors which can contribute to increased stigma toward people with mental illness. The higher your score, the more likely it is you have had these types of experiences. If you scored a zero, congratulate yourself.

Here are (5) simple steps you can do as a new stigma fighter:

1. Don’t label people who have an Invisible Disability.

Don’t say, “He’s bipolar” or “She’s schizophrenic.” People are people, not diagnoses. Instead, say, “He has a bipolar disorder” or “She has schizophrenia.” And say “has an Invisible Disability” instead of “is mentally ill.” This is known as “person-first” language, and it’s far more respectful, for it recognizes that the disability doesn’t define the person.

2. Don’t be afraid of people with Invisible Disabilities.

Yes, they may sometimes display unusual behaviors when their illness is more severe, but people with Invisible Disabilities aren’t more likely to be violent than the general population. In fact, they are more likely to be victims of violence. Don’t fall prey to other inaccurate stereotypes from movies, such as that of the disturbed killer or the weird co-worker.

3. Don’t use disrespectful terms for people with Invisible Disabilities.

In a research study with British 14-year-olds, teens came up with over 250 terms to describe Invisible Disabilities, and the majority were negative. These terms are far too common in our everyday conversations. Also, be careful about casually using “diagnostic” terms to describe everyday behavior, like “That’s my OCD," or, "She’s so borderline.” Given that 1 in 4 adults experience a Invisible Disability, you quite likely may be offending someone and not be aware of it.

4. Don’t be insensitive or blame people with Invisible Disabilities.

It would be silly to tell someone to just “buckle down” and “get over” cancer. The same applies to Invisible Disabilities. Also, don’t assume that someone is okay just because they look or act okay or sometimes smile or laugh. Depression, anxiety, and other Invisible Disabilities can often be hidden, but the person can still be in considerable internal distress. Provide support and reassurance when you know someone is having difficulty managing their disability.

5. Be a role model.

Stigma is often fueled by lack of awareness and inaccurate information. Model these stigma-reducing strategies through your own comments and behavior and politely teach them to your friends, family, co-workers and other veterans or service members in your sphere of influence. Spread the word that treatment works and recovery is possible. Changing attitudes takes time, but repetition is the key, so keep getting the word out to bring about a positive shift in how we treat others.