Essay On Social Stigma

Erving Goffman first introduced stigma as a social theory. These social theories involves stigma as the reason for dehumanization or loss of identity. There are three main types of stigma all related to social well being. Social stigmas consist of external, internal, and tribal. All three types are similar in that social isolation results in the end (Milne, 2010, pp 228). People with Alzheimer’s experience social isolation and eventually social death. This will occur many times long before physical death occurs (Brannelly, 2011, pp 664).
Exploring the meaning of external stigma. This can occur with disfiguring illness, but can easily victimize people with mental illness or cognitive impairments. There is a label placed on the stigmatized

It starts within the person and then gets externalized through social isolation. There is a loss of self control or self determination. This is followed by loss of self esteem which can lead to feelings of shame or fear. Eventually the person isolates themselves by avoiding contact with others. In some instances the individual may push others away (Kwait, Types of Stigma). Joe’s story best fits this type of social stigma. He is definitely feeling a loss of self control as his disease progresses. He expresses his fears and concerns publically on his blog. He talks of end of life and potential suicide is efforts to push his family away. The more shut down his loved ones are early in his disease the less they might feel in his death (Cookson,

This type of stigma is when a group of people are singled out due to particular characteristics. This results in discrimination against the group and social isolation occurs (Kwait, Types of Stigma). A good example of this is age discrimination which those with Alzheimer’s face often times prior to diagnosis. The best example of this type is Josie. Even though she looses her driving privileges based on safety she feel that she is being targeted. She is losing her sense of independence. Her greatest concern with the loss of her license is not being able to come and go when she pleases. This will limit her socialization. She is very active in her church and that is also a concern. How is she going to get to church if she can not drive herself (Cookson, 2009).
Any of these types of stigmatizations would be difficult to endure. When it comes to the perspective of the patient, the impact would be dependent on the stage of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Individuals who are more advances are most likely not impacted as hard as those individuals early in the disease. Early Alzheimer’s patients are still independent and still have those social ties. As the disease advances and some changes in social life occurs the patient is impacted by the