Clinical Case Database / Category: Clinical Care

Triple jeopardy in a person with Fragile X syndrome: how to address stigma

Publication details

Rohit Gumber MRCPsych, Asit B. Biswas MD, FRCPsych
Foundation Years Journal, volume 5, issue 10, p.51 (123Doc Education, London, December 2011)

Abstract

Throughout history, people with learning disability have been labelled, and subsequently suffered from poor treatment and abuse. We describe a case of a twenty year old Afro-Caribbean gentleman who has learning disability, Fragile X syndrome with dysmorphic features and a history of mental illness (triple jeopardy). His experience of stigma and subsequent discrimination resulted in him suffering bullying and social rejection. The magnitude of this kind of stigma poses a particular challenge for the development of interventions that will make a real difference to the discrimination and social exclusion experienced by people with mental illness and learning disability. Unfortunately, there have been reports that anti-stigma campaigns are not particularly effective. This is noted in the constant search for de-stigmatising terminology. More effective strategies are reported, backed up by legal and regulatory frameworks, thereby changing attitudes, respecting rights and promoting independence, access and choice of individuals with learning disability, as social inclusion becomes the norm.

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Authors

Rohit Gumber MRCPsych

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Groby Road,
LE3 9QF

Asit B. Biswas MD, FRCPsych

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Groby Road,
LE3 9QF.
asitbiswas@yahoo.co.uk

References

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