{"id":6321,"date":"2025-09-08T09:22:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/?page_id=6321"},"modified":"2025-09-08T09:22:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T08:22:56","slug":"sod-chapter-8-subchapter-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/sod-chapter-8-subchapter-6\/","title":{"rendered":"SOD Chapter 8 – Subchapter 6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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8.6 Non-stigmatizing communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schizophrenia and substance use disorders can carry a lot of stigma, which often stops people from seeking help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Starting conversations in a way that doesn’t judge or shame can be really important for building trust<\/strong> and encouraging open communication<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using neutral and supportive language, avoiding labels<\/strong>, and focusing on how they’re feeling<\/strong> or what they’re experiencing can make them more comfortable with getting help. This approach helps reduce feelings of shame<\/strong> and makes them more receptive to support.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Putting the person first<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language can make a big difference<\/strong> in how someone feels. Referring to them as a person first – like “a person with schizophrenia”<\/em> or “someone facing substance use challenges”<\/em> – can show respect<\/strong> and acknowledge their individuality rather than focusing solely on their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Focusing on behaviors and feelings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking about specific behaviors or feelings instead of labels can make conversations feel more supportive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 For example, sharing something like,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019ve noticed you seem worried about things lately. Do you feel like talking about it?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

can create space for dialogue without making it about a diagnosis.
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Choosing neutral, supportive language<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using neutral terms that describe what someone is experiencing can feel less judgmental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 For example, saying<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“using substances” instead of “abusing drugs”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

keeps the focus on the situation rather than attaching negative connotations.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Showing empathy and understanding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging their feelings, even with simple phrases like<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That sounds really tough” or “I can see how that might feel overwhelming”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

can help them feel heard and valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a way of showing that their struggles are valid without minimizing their experience.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Working together as a team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using collaborative language, like “How can we work on this together?”<\/strong><\/em> or “Let\u2019s see what might make this feel more manageable”<\/strong><\/em> reinforces the idea that they\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shifts the focus to working together, empowering and building trust.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Example dialogue about nonstigmatizing communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I know things have been really challenging, and I\u2019m here to support you in whatever way feels right. If you\u2019re comfortable, would you like to share how you\u2019ve been feeling lately?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Sometimes I feel like nobody understands. I hate feeling like I\u2019m just seen as my diagnosis.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That must feel isolating, and I understand that you\u2019re so much more than any diagnosis. Let\u2019s focus on what\u2019s going on for you day-to-day. What\u2019s been most on your mind lately?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n



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This approach helps the person feel seen beyond their diagnosis, which can build trust and encourage more open, positive interactions about their experiences and needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Back to chapter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Next subchapter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8.6 Non-stigmatizing communication Schizophrenia and substance use disorders can carry a lot of stigma, which often stops people from seeking help. Starting conversations in a way that doesn’t judge or shame can be really important for building trust and encouraging open communication. Using neutral and supportive language, avoiding labels, and focusing on how they’re feeling […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sod.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6321","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6321\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schizophrenia.life\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}