Paradigms Lost

Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned

Norman Sartorius author Julio Arboleda-Florez author Heather Stuart author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:28th Jun '12

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Paradigms Lost cover

Paradigms Lost challenges key paradigms currently held about the prevention or reduction of stigma attached to mental illness using evidence and the experience the authors gathered during the many years of their work in this field. Each chapter examines one currently held paradigm and presents reasons why it should be replaced with a new perspective. The book argues for enlightened opportunism (using every opportunity to fight stigma), rather than more time consuming planning, and emphasizes that the best way to approach anti-stigma work is to select targets jointly with those who are most concerned. The most radical change of paradigms concerns the evaluation of outcome for anti-stigma activities. Previously, changes in stigmatizing attitudes were used as the best indicator of success. Paradigms Lost and its authors argue that it is now necessary to measure changes in behaviors (both from the perspective of those stigmatized and those who stigmatize) to obtain a more valid measure of a program's success. Other myths to be challenged: providing knowledge about mental illness will reduce stigma; community care will de-stigmatize mental illness and psychiatry; people with a mental illness are less discriminated against in developing countries. Paradigms Lost concludes by describing key elements in successful anti stigma work including the recommended duration of anti-stigma programmes, the involvement of those with mental illness in designing programmes, and the definition of programmes in accordance with local circumstances. A summary of weaknesses of currently held paradigms and corresponding lists of best practice principles to guide future anti-stigma action and research bring this insightful volume to an apt conclusion.

' Paradigms Lost is simply excellent. The chapters are clearly written and well organized and the material is relevant to the aim of the book, i.e., to inform those wishing to undertake anti-stigma programmes. I am sure that it will be a vitally important contribution to the field.' * Professor Graham Thornicroft, King's College London, UK *
'Paradigms Lost: Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned illustrates the long standing stigma attached to mental illness and its continued prominence today. Although the problem of stigma appears daunting, the authors offer an innovative approach to help combat social exclusion. Their proposed new paradigm constructs an optimistic and practical way to break down the social barriers to recovery' * Rebecca G. Palpant, The Carter Mental Health Programme, Atlanta, Georgia, USA *
'Stuart, Arboleda-Florez, and Sartorius provide a masterful tour-de-force of the scholarly literature to carefully unpack what we know about stigma so we can move ahead to eliminate its egregious impact. But their book does not end with a review of the science. They then provide a practical, hands-on guide to setting up anti-stigma programs meant to reflect the wisdom of their reviewed paradigms.' * Patrick W. Corrigan, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA *
'This extraordinary book by international experts stands on its head the accepted wisdom about fighting the stigma of mental illness. This is the most important book yet published on what we must do to reduce the insidious and powerful force that can paralyze attempts to improve recovery from psychiatric disorder' * Professor Richard Warner, University of Colorado, Denver, USA *
With a unique 2 part format that addresses stigma but also personal clinical and field experiences, this book is a historical compendium with a passionate call to action. To help readers move ahead quickly, tip sheets and assessments are included. The boldness of the statements in this book are refreshing and should help fight stigma around the world to improve the lives of people living with mental illness. Hats off to the publishers for recognizing the importance of this work. * Linda B. Cottler, University of Florida, USA *
We are all opposed to the stigma of mental illness, but that is not enough. We needed this book to remind us of what we previously misunderstood, and to reinforce what we now know. As Kuhn said, looking at a contour map, the student sees lines on paper, the cartographer a picture of a terrain. We may be redrawing our old map, but we have not as yet found a new one. * The British Journal of Psychiatry, Feb 2013 *

ISBN: 9780199797639

Dimensions: 157mm x 236mm x 25mm

Weight: 454g

240 pages