Aberer E, Riedl A
Universitäts-Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Graz, Osterreich.
Hautarzt. 2004 Dec;55(12):1168-71. doi: 10.1007/s00105-004-0836-y.
Stigmatization is associated with considerable psychosocial impairment. Patients with chronic skin disease are especially prone to stigmatization and reduced quality of life. In contrast, patients with self-produced cutaneous artifacts receive an emotional response from family members and doctors. Stigmatization of a religious nature is always difficult for non-participants to understand. We focus on the suffering of the patient, using the example of a historical person, Saint Rita of Cascia, who bore a stigma on her forehead. We discuss why suffering is presented in this manner, and how salvation can be the positive effect of suffering.