Bodily self-stigmatization can take multiple forms. This can include tattoos, piercings, changes to body, self-harm, and more. Bodily self-stigmatization is the process of affecting your body as a result of a self-stigma that you have against yourself. This could be due to any kind of stigma that you or the people around you have. This stigma could be due to an illness, disease, mental health issue, etc… There are also social, mental, and physical stigmas.
The figure above contains a picture of a tattoo resembling a serotonin molecule. Serotonin is released during the process of self-harm and low levels of serotonin are linked with depression. Taylor E, the person in the picture says, “I got a serotonin molecule because it is released in the act of self-harm. I got this as a reminder that I don’t have to hurt myself to be happy. There has been a major lack of stability in my life growing up so I turned to some pretty unfortunate coping mechanisms, but I’m trying so hard to move forward and focus on being a victor, not a victim.”
For Taylor, having a permanent tattoo that has meaning to her and makes sense to those who may see it, may have made her struggle easier to overcome. This, along with many other similar types of tattoos that help people cope with personal struggle, often seems to be a successful way to overcome a stigma. This stigma could be held by that person or by others, and in tattooing the body, one is able to accept and overcome the self-stigmatization they may of have placed around themselves. In this instance, Taylor’s “self-stigma” against self-harm may have helped her overcome it. By accepting this stigma over an issue she used to battle with, she was able to more easily overcome this obstacle. In the example of self-harm, there are stigmas surrounding the practice for good and healthy reasons. Taylor’s ability to recognize the stigma against self-harm and accept it (internally and in the form of a tattoo) may be the reason she is better today.
Article: https://themighty.com/2018/09/childhood-trauma-tattoos/
Thinking Rhetorically at GCSU 