Anti-stigmatizing practices: An Autoethnographic on the Depression Recovery

Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with depressive illnesses can be subtle or it can be obvious—but no matter the magnitude, it can lead to harm. Often, people with depressive illnesses avoid or delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood. While many studies have explored means of removing the stigma of depression, few have focused on how depressed people engage in anti-stigma practices.

The first author personally experienced depression, developing symptoms in March 2022, being diagnosed in June, and showing significant improvement by December. To reflect the journey of suffering from and recovering from depression, the first author used autoethnography, a method that allows the interrogation of personal experiences within broader socio-cultural constructs, ensuring the reflexivity and co-construction of knowledge. Thus, after reading the autoethnography, the second author conducted in-depth interviews with the first author four times, to identify critical struggling stages and the influencing factors therein. All interview data were transcribed, cleaned and coded. Based on thematic analysis, the concept of “anti-stigma practice” was emerged to dynamically explain how the first author confronted and recovered from depression.

The research findings elucidate that the first author, while navigating depression throughout her recovery, encountered various forms of stigma, including moral stigma, self-stigma, role stigma, and public stigma. In response to these challenges, she employed practices characterized by enduring suffering, engaging in self-directed reflection and critique, concealing her condition, and actively seeking cognitive liberation. In addition, the discussion section will further examine the critical factors underpinning the efficacy of anti-stigma practices, including self-directed learning and the role of community support. These insights pave the way for individual-centric therapeutic approaches and enhanced societal support mechanisms. Furthermore, this study contributes to cross-cultural mental health insights, emphasizing individuals' active role in combating stigma.