Chapter 30 Labelling and stigma
We all use labels to name and describe things. Such labelling can have both positive and negative associations, for example the ‘good doctor’, the ‘caring nurse’ or the ‘lazy medical student’! Labelling and its associated idea of stigma are useful in understanding the importance of the social consequences of medical diagnosis. We are particularly interested here in the way neutral medical labels acquire negative and stigmatizing connotations. Labelling and stigma are important for medical practitioners for two reasons. Firstly, negative labels are often applied by the public at large to people with particular diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia or psoriasis which are thought to signify some moral failing, social disgrace or separation from normal society. Such beliefs may be rooted in superstition, fear and ignorance but they are quite common. Secondly, medical practitioners act as important arbiters of the labels that get applied in much of what they do.
