Before we get started, we would like to address the fact that stigmas are nearly impossible to stamp out completely. However, in a world of fake news and internet trolls, itâs more important than ever for people to do their part to make sure these false beliefs donât become more popular, especially in the medical field.
Even though healthcare professionals know the truth, itâs up to them to make sure others donât believe the lies that still exist about certain illnesses and diseases. Without further ado, here are some medical problems that are still over-stigmatized by the public.
Mental Illness
Letâs start with the one that had a lot more light shed on it recently: mental illnesses. There has been good progress with this issue. People have become much more understanding of those suffering from various mental problems, and companies have been much more forgiving to those who need a mental health day.
However, even though the public has become better about this, we still have a long way to go. Many people with mental illnesses still go misunderstood by those who donât care enough to learn the truth about their problems. Some even get penalized in their line of work for it. Because of these issues, many people are left untreated due to the fear of others finding out. We need to normalize this topic to better help those in need.
Troubles With Incontinence
While not as widespread as a problem like mental illness, another medical issue with a surprising level of stigmatization for people who deal with it is incontinence. No one wants to admit they need to wear an adult diaper because they will most likely get laughed at for it. No one feels comfortable asking questions like âwhat kinds of foods and drinks trigger incontinence?â to friends or even online because they donât want to admit they have an issue.
Even though older adults are a bit more open about this problem due to the number of them that deal with it, itâs basically a crime to have it if youâre still young, which is very much a possibility. To make these people feel more comfortable and open about this issue, we need to stop making jokes at their expense.
Lung Cancer
Even though many forms of cancer received a lot of attention and support from communities, like breast cancer, many are still heavily stigmatized. One example is lung cancer. When someone hears that another person was diagnosed with lung cancer, their first assumption is that they did it to themselves by smoking. However, many people who get lung cancer have never smoked a day in their life.
We would like to note, though, that this stigma goes both ways. Not only do people who never smoked get shamed, but those who have smoked are sometimes told that they donât deserve treatment. Obviously, the general public does this, not medical professionals. Still, these people can have a lot of influence over those suffering, causing them to decide not to seek treatment. No matter your life choices, everyone deserves to have a fighting chance, so beliefs like this need to be shut down immediately.