Stigma and Misconceptions: Your Stories

Stigma is when people have negative ideas, perceptions or beliefs around a condition or a person's identity that aren't based on fact.

Medical conditions can carry with them certain opinions that are untrue. These misconceptions often have a detrimental impact on those affected, as they can make a person feel they are being labelled. Negative attitudes caused or enforced by stigma can also lead to discrimination.

Sometimes people innocently misunderstand what it means to have a certain illness or condition. Often this is due to ignorance - a person doesn't have direct experience of the condition so does not know otherwise. Education and raising awareness are key to addressing stigma - many organisations and individuals are working towards this in relation to various conditions and illnesses.

We asked you whether you'd ever faced stigma around an illness or condition you're dealing with. Join in the conversation over on our forum at The Student Room.