Why the stigma attached to the word "Disease"...

Post Reply New Topic

"Disease," "syndrome," "condition," I don't care what they call it.

It doesn't matter what they call it. They could make up new words-- the creeping attitude that it means "lesser," "broken," "needs to be fixed," "to be pitied or shunned," and et cetera will still end up being there.

Human nature. We are competitive little monkeys.

I dont know, but as soon as a I mention I am autistic, there is a sudden silence and cold uncomfortable air as people back away. Perhaps they fear they can catch it.

Because it is generally believed, perhaps more than ever, that people with diseases are to be blamed and not pitied for their suffering. That is true for physical as well as mental illness. "If you get the flu it's because you didn't get a flu shot". "You had a heart attack because you eat too much fast food", "You wouldn't have that cold if you washed your hands every time you touched anything", "You're diabetic because you tasted sugar", and on and on. It's like we're not allowed to get sick any more, not even occasionally. There are ads on TV saying no one "has time" to get sick, or that a mother's home will "fall into chaos" if she's sick because her husband and kids are blithering idiots. I think that as unpleasant as it is It might be a good thing we get sick once in a while. If we don't we'll all end up like the "bubble boy". I even read that people who are always healthy are more likely to get something life-threatening!

I hate this world.

autism is described as a disorder in the DSM IV AND V
no doctor or autism speaks has ever called autism a disease.i also dont think having a disease is shamefull but no has ever called autism a disease even curebees.

the autism supremists say autism is not a disease to imply the curebees say it is,which they dont.

Odd... The mental health professionals I have worked with, all over the united states... classified it as a disease... used the word and everything... Just saying

And for the record, disorder and disease are interchangeable in clinical settings

I think that the stigma associated with disease is driven by the same factors as most stigmas or derogatory perceptions toward anything. It's driven instinctively through fear on the basis of self preservation. Anything that appears unordinary, especially if it appears as less conducive toward survival, is shunned. It is pushed out from the environment or imposed upon to reduce its potential to survive. This behavioural pattern is evident in other species as well, but other species obviously don't try and make excuses for it. Instinct is an ignorance based system of a series of algorithms that determine perception and behaviour that, if practised, tend the species toward a greater potential of survival. In many cases the exploits of instinctive behaviour are not valid in any reasonable sense, but, especially in a state of abundant population, wasting a few needlessly is instinctively valid if it may increase your own potential to survive. To a great degree, a conscientious discussion about a particular human behaviour is of limited relevance, simply because most human behaviour is not conscientious. Mainly, only the excuses for it are.

for me it that most diseases will usually directly result in progression or death

C ancer is a disease. I hate everything about it. It is an unwanted enemy that I want to destroy. Autistic, that is part of who I am. Cancer? Cancer is not part of me. It is attempting to destroy my autisticy self. Me, and my autism, are fighting against that.

C ancer is a disease. I hate everything about it. It is an unwanted enemy that I want to destroy. Autistic, that is part of who I am. Cancer? Cancer is not part of me. It is attempting to destroy my autisticy self. Me, and my autism, are fighting against that.

This response seems confusing to me...

It seems to be a syllogism...
God is love.
Love is blind.
Therefore, Ray Charles is God.

Cancer is a disease
Cancer kills
Autism does not kill
Therefore, Autism cannot be a disease.

I believe I am a better person because of being autistic. I am not a lemming. I have extremely well developed sense of fairness. I am not shallow and I am happy that I have extreme empathy and compassion. These things I attribute to being autistic. it is difficult for me to think of a gift as a disease.

Cancer took away my breasts, aged me 20 years in i year, made me much more aware of the inside of a toilet bowl than I thought was possible. Cancer makes me tired and my body hurt all of the time. I will never consider it a gift, but I do know it is a disease.