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Self-Stigmatization In Military

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Ever since the twin towers fell in 2001, the United States deployed over a million service members to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight the war on terror (Jaycox, Tanielian, Rand, C., Rand, H., 2008). Unlike past wars the United States has participated in, the war in the Middle East has yielded the fewer casualties and wounded soldiers. However, while seemingly healthy on the outside, many of the service members have been returning with “invisible scars,” which are mental illnesses due to combat (Jaycox, Tanielian, Rand, C & Rand, H., 2008). The list includes concussions, depression, traumatic brain injury, and most notably post-traumatic stress disorder. Research indicates that of the veterans redeploying from the Middle East, almost 22 percent …show more content…
The main reason is because these veterans are fearful of being diagnosed, and avoid seeking help as a result (Greene-Shortridge, Britt, & Castro, 2007). Self-stigmatization can manifest itself when a person develops negative thoughts about themselves due to absorbing the attitudes of society (Barney, Griffiths, Jorm, & Christensen, 2006). In a military society where toughness is a trade, admittance of weakness may affect unit cohesion, promotions, security clearances, and personal records. Due to the drawbacks of the military system, a service member who has acknowledged that he or she has post-traumatic stress disorder may continue to negatively stigmatize themselves to avoid the idea of seeking help (Greene-Shortridge, Britt, & Castro, 2007). Therefore continuing to feed the cycle of mental illness stigmas and avoidance of …show more content…
Whereas rape victims are more readily accepted and sympathized with by society, soldiers are perceived as dangerous and kept at a distance. Society attributes this as a character flaw and considers those who are afflicted to be a lesser human, thereby opening up possibilities for discrimination (Goffman, 1963). Since the history of stereotyping and prejudice towards those with mental illnesses is anything but short, it has been proven that those with a mental illness have lesser opportunities with health care, employment, and purchasing a home (Corrigan & Kleinlein, 2005). Looking beyond self-sufficiency issues, the stigma of mental illness affects personal relationships with family and friends as well (Jaycox, Tanielian, Rand, C., Rand, H., 2008). If this trend continues, post-traumatic stress order victims will continue to conceal, avoid, and resist treatment that would be beneficial for them (Kelly,

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