How is sickness stigmatized? Some illnesses are stigmatized. This occurs often with mental illness, which is both socially constructed and poorly understood. Mentally ill individuals are feared and...

How is sickness stigmatized? Some illnesses are stigmatized. This occurs often with mental illness, which is both socially constructed and poorly understood. Mentally ill individuals are feared and stigmatized, although that is decreasing as mental illness is becoming medicalized. Drug and alcohol addictions are also being medicalized, although there is strong social disapproval for these addictions and a tendency to blame the victim. HIV/ AIDS is a worldwide problem currently localized in Africa and other poor countries where medical care is not affordable. HIV/AIDS carries a particularly strong stigma.