Stigma

Stigma refers to a perception of shame or discredit resulting from a particular condition, behavior, or experience. These conditions, behaviors, and experiences may include psychological issues such as substance abuse or schizophrenia; physical characteristics such as body weight, a need for corrective vision lenses, or skin color; medical conditions such as cancer, HIV, or skin lesions; and other issues such as sexual preference, gender identity, and age.

The topic of stigma may be closely related to trauma in general. In many cases, exposure to trauma may directly result in stigma (as in the case of combat veterans who perceive that others pity or scorn them because of their experiences). In others, the perception of stigma may itself result in trauma (as in the case of a ...