Stigma of Mental Illness Paper (Singapore)

This is a paper in Singapore Medical Journal 2000 Vol42(3) called "Stigma of Mental Illness".

http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4203/4203a4.pdf

Here's an excerpt

Secondly, in the course of the survey, we found that
our questionnaire items did not cover the more subtle
ramifications of stigma. We asked about the effects of
stigma on extra-familial relationships, but overlooked
the more damaging manifestations of stigma within the
family. It also became more apparent to us that there
were many shades of stigma. The questionnaire item
phrased social rejection in terms of being avoided by
others. The patients, however, experienced stigma in
other ways. They reported that people treated them differently, in a condescending manner that diminished their personhood, or ignoring them and making them
feel devalued. Similarly, we had not thought of exploring the angle
of social avoidance. For instance, the fear of stigma might
stop patients from going to social events or entering into
steady relationships with the opposite sex. Finally, the questionnaire item on low self-esteem did not distinguish between the actual experience of
stigma and the patients’ own fears of stigma. It is possible
that the patients themselves have their own views of
mental illness and they project their ideas and feelings
of diminished self-esteem onto society.