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How does stigma affect mental health Essay
Mental health stigma introduction
Mental health stigma introduction
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Mental illnesses are one of the most misconceived and stigmatized disorders. As a result, those who suffer from mental illness are dually challenged. On one hand, they are challenged with the ramifications of their disease. On the other, they struggle with the typecasts and prejudice that are the outcome of having a mental illness.
The stigma and negative associations that go with mental illness have been around as long as mental illness itself has been recognized. As society has advanced, little changes have been made to the deep-rooted ideas that go along with psychological disorders. It is clearly seen throughout history that people with mental illness are discriminated against, cast out of society, and deemed “damaged”. They are unable to escape the stigma that goes along with their illness, and are often left to defend themselves in a world that is not accepting of differences in people. Society needs to realize what it is doing, and how it is affecting these people who are affected with mental illness.
In today’s society, the stigma around mental health has caused many people to fear seeking medical treatment for problems they are dealing with. With an abundance of hateful outlooks and stereotypical labels such as: crazy, psycho, and dangerous, it is clear that people with a mental illness have a genuine reason to avoid pursuing medical treatments. Along with mental health stigma, psychiatric facilities that patients with a mental health issue attend in order to receive treatment obtain an excessive amount of unfavorable stereotypes.
Mental illnesses are daily blockades for many people. These illnesses can restrict people from functioning in their daily lives. It can be a simple tic to severe schizophrenia. They can render your ability to care for yourself or others. The obstacle that is having to be dealt with is different for everyone. For some leaving the house is a struggle, while for
Mental illness stigma is an issue that plagues many members of society. The consequences are not well known by the public and include, but are not limited to; family discord, job discrimination and social rejection (Feldman & Crandall, 2007). The most common stigma is the assumption every mentally ill person is dangerous to themselves and others. There are many conflicting articles both supporting and refuting this claim.
The only instances that cause a debate on mental health is when an individual does something that is criminal or hard to comprehend. The media get experts to look in on the catastrophe, and explain why they did it. Mental Illness is a worldwide problem and is often considered a "Hidden epidemic" as it stretches to institutions like jail, schools, family, and the media. Most mentally ill people are afraid to seek treatment mostly due to the stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that are attached to the label. The Label that comes with being mentally ill often leads to depression. Mental illness is largely misunderstood in the United States and can be treated; the following paragraphs reveal treatment, as well as causes and effects of stigmas on society, poverty, Insurance, the educational system, and the media.
“One in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental illness in a given year” (~). Society looks at mental illness differently than physical illness. The public stigma that is associated with mental illness can affect the attitude of those with mental health issues and unfortunately, slow down the recovery process. By making the public aware of what mental illness really is, how it affects individuals, their families, and the treatments that are available, the long road to recovery can be shortened.
Mental illness can be defined as a variety of disorders within the brain that can affect an individual’s mood, way of thinking and behaviour. These illnesses are caused by biological, psychological and sociological influences. Mental illnesses have become more prominent throughout communities while the seeking for help or a cure has appeared to become less evident. In today’s society, mental illnesses are portrayed through various media platforms in a way that causes such a stigma around the illness that it affects those who suffer almost as much as the illness itself.
Mental illness is a disease that is misunderstood, miscommunicated, and viewed as predominantly negative in our society. Even in ancient times, anyone thought to be mentally ill was locked away in a facility for fear that they were a danger to others. Sometimes, the mentally ill person was even thought to even be possessed. The public’s view on mental health has improved with time and education, but the mental health stigmas still exist. Being someone who works full time within a behavioral health unit, my perception of mental health and the public’s perspective of mental health significantly differ.
Why is there a cloud of judgment and misunderstanding still surrounding the subject? People with a mental disorder or with a history of mental health issues are continually ostracized by society. This results in it being more difficult than it already is for the mentally ill to admit their symptoms to others and to seek treatment. To towards understanding mental illness is to finally lift the stigma, and to finally let sufferers feel safe and accepted within today’s society. There are many ways in which the mentally ill are degraded and shamed.
People with a mental illness are often feared and rejected by society. This occurs because of the stigma of mental illness. The stigma of mental illness causes the perception of individuals with mental illnesses to be viewed as being dangerous and insane. They are viewed and treated in a negative way. They are almost seen as being less of a human. The stigma affects the individual with a mental illness in such a cruel way. The individual cannot even seek help without the fear of being stigmatized by their loved ones or the general public. The stigma even leads to some individuals developing self-stigma. This means having a negative perception of one’s self, such as viewing one’s self as being dangerous. The worst part is that the effects of
The mental illness is a condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood and ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental illness includes major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic character and poor upbringing. The mental illness can affect any person of any age, race, religion or income. People with mental illness they experience many different problems in their life like for example prejudice and discrimination are one of the problems they face in every aspect of their lives. Graham suggest that attitudes that most people hold towards those labelled with mental illness are, major barriers to does with people with mental illness because they can’t lead their lives in the away they want, they are hold down jobs they are qualified for, they live in ordinary houses, to engage in social relations and to enjoy their basic rights as citizens it’s very difficult. Sometimes the family attitude also have a very important influence on the person with mental illness, because family are the ones that should be on our sides and protect us and support us from harm, but sometimes people with mental illness they don’t have the protection from their family they are...
In the past, mental illness was taboo to discuss and there was fear surrounding the topic. However, remarkable strides have been made in figuring out the causes of the disease and weighing the most effective treatments specialized for each specific disease. According to the American Psychotic Association, “A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.”
Mental illness refers to a broad range of mental health conditions. Mental illnesses have many consequences such as struggling with day to day life, work, relationships, and more. The disease can make people miserable resulting in poor decision making, inappropriate coping mechanisms, and in worse cases death. Mental health problems are challenging and can go undetected for a long period of time. Suicide, self esteem, mental health, school, and treatment are all factors that are difficult with one who is suffering with a mental illness. There are many consequences for those suffering from mental illness if they are untreated, but it is possible to overcome mental illness with correct diagnosis, appropriate medication, supplemented with alternative therapies.
Emily Shaw Snelgrove English 12 03/26/15 Eradicating Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental illness each year (Mental Health Foundation). Though mental illness is so common there is an extreme stigma surrounding it. Unfortunately people dealing with mental illness not only have to deal with an arsenal of serious symptoms, but also with hurtful social and self-stigmas. Names like psycho, nutcase, and freak have been prevalent through society for years. These social stigmas increase the fear and shame in people who may be dealing with mental illness and soon develop into self stigmas such as: “I’m crazy” and “I can’t be helped.” Behaviors such as these reinforce the negative stereotypes that bombard society. Gaining an understanding of why there is a stigma, how inaccurate stereotypes are debilitating to the function of those with mental illnesses, and how recognizing social and self-stigma surrounding mental illness will be the first steps to eradicate this problem. People with mental disorders or illnesses are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of crimes. However in newspapers and during media coverage violent criminals are often labeled psychos, maniacs, or schizophrenics. Media, television, and music often dramatize and portray people with mental illnesses inaccurately (Polatis.) “TV shows can also damage people 's perspective of mental illness by only showing the most extreme cases. When you do that with mental illness, you’re creating a stigma that stays with people because people don’t know what the illness is”(Polatis). At this current time when the media is so prevalent in society people’s opinions easily result from depiction displayed on T.V. or in gossip magazine...
In the medical world, defining mental illness can be as equally diverse as an Olympic opening. Much negativity has gained in popularity and is not only directed towards the patient but also the psychiatrist and other mental health professionals who diagnose and then treat the many different issues that may come with these illnesses. How does one single issue bring together citizens, psychiatrists, and critics at a global level? And how does it tear them all apart, initiating verbal brawls over who is “right,” what is “real,” and if mental illness is not even real – is the stigma “all in our