Introduction: We live in a society that strongly emphasizes certain body ideals, thinness has become a commandment, and obesity is a stigma. Eating disorders have become a major social problem, which is also associated with the contribution of media. The fact, that eating disorders are classified as mental disorders, further increases the discriminating, discriminatory and stigmatizing behavior of the society towards the suffering individuals. Nurses have the power to influence wider society through our knowledge, communication skills and behavior, and to change the view of society on patients with eating disorders. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to present the stigmatization in the field of mental health, to define the influence it has on the patients with eating disorders and to explore the role of nurses in destigmatization process. Methods: In the writing of diploma, we used the descriptive method in which we did a systematic review of scientific and technical literature. The literature was used in Slovene and English language, issued between years of 2007 and 2018. Keywords nursing care, psychiatry, destigmatization, discrimination, taboo were used in the search on the databases COBIBI.SI, CINAHL and Medline. Only articles with freely available texts, which were evaluated on a six-stage scale based on the power of evidence, were used. Results: Stigmatization is already present since the existence of humanity, because the dominant part of society has defined certain characteristics as unacceptable. Such a widespread opinion in society is best felt by patients with mental disorders, especially those with eating disorders, because the cause of the stigma is physically expressed. Stigmatization leads to social deviation and isolation, and even more worrying is that due to fear of stigma, affected individuals refuse professional help and avoid treatment, which increases the symptoms of the disease and negatively affects the course of treatment and rehabilitation. Discussion and conclusion: Due to the increase in the stigmatization of eating disorders, the active functioning of nurses in the fight against stigma is crucial. By our own conduct, we must be an example to other health care professionals, as well as to a wider society. We must act ethically, respect the rights of patients and the fundamental freedoms of individuals and thus ensure equal treatment for them. In addition, education of a wider society is also crucial, as in this way we will eradicate stereotyped and discriminatory opinions about patients who suffer from mental disorders.
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