Stigma: A Vicious Circle Of Burden For Sufferers

The experience of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often fraught with stigma, confusion, embarrassment, belittlement, and loneliness. Cerner Enviza conducted qualitative research with IBS sufferers in UK, US, Germany and China to learn more about the experiences of living with IBS.

There are a multitude of health conditions where stigma plays a role. Sufferers may feel a sense of shame which impacts behavior, meaning that stigmatized conditions are often kept hidden from others. These conditions may be under-diagnosed and undertreated, creating a vicious circle of burden for sufferers.