Hydrocephalus Stereotypes

Ever since the concept of mental illness became more mainstream, it has become a widely controversial topic. Based on what has been seen in society, people who are involved with mental disorders are often dehumanized in some way.

Stigma can be expressed in various term, it can be a brand, labelling or identification. It is a differentiation of a person resulting to a boundary between “us” and “them” (Link and Phelan 2001). These affect consumers in a way they are discriminated and treated differently because they have mental illness. The effect of stigma can take away the rights of consumers who are suffering from mental illness causing social dilemmas (SANE Australia 2013). A survey shows 74% of consumers experience stigma from school, work, and social activities. Consumers had only one feedback, to reduce stigma so they can go with their life peacefully and engage in normal social activities without discrimination (SANE Australia 2006). It is

Encephalomalacia is a condition that’s characterized by the softening of brain tissue due to inflammation or hemorrhage. Encephalomalacia is regarded as one of the most serious types of brain condition that can bring irreversible damage and affect the normal function of the body as a whole. In some cases, the brain is known to deteriorate and this often leads to extensive softening of the substances within. This softening can be in one specific area or spread to other areas. Tissue and organ damage is possible and may easily occur during this condition within the occipital lobe, frontal lobe, temporal lobe and parietal lobe. Effects within this specific part of the brain cause immediate stoppage of functions and is known as cerebral softening.

While stigma may not necessarily be a cause of a person’s mental disorder, it can certainly contribute to the complication and perpetuation of their illness. The effect of stigma goes well beyond just the patient and provides a commentary on society’s overall level of intolerance of those who are considered different from the majority. By recognizing the level of stigma that exists, perhaps we can alter that behavior and gravitate towards a more productive attitude towards mental illness.

Within the past two decades there’s been a revival in efforts to reduce stigmatization attached to mental illnesses. It was concluded that if mental illnesses were perceived better as ‘real’ diseases by the public that stigma would go down greatly. Reports proposed the idea that better scientific understanding of mental illnesses by the general public could greatly reduce stigma. Stigma is intensely rooted in social and cultural norms it’s patterns devalue and dehumanize groups of individuals within society (in this case mentally ill people). Stigma constructs barriers for individuals, barriers that limit a person’s abilities to have equal opportunities for employment, safe housing, health care and social relationships.Efforts to reduce stigma in recent years have

Microcephaly is a condition that affects infants. It is characterized by a smaller than typical head circumference due to problems with brain development. Typically, as a baby’s brain grows in utero, the head and skull grow as well, however if the brain is not developing as it should, the head will not grow as expected (CDC). It can be caused by genetic disorders such as Down’s syndrome, as well as other chromosomal syndromes and neurometabolic syndromes (NINDS). Microcephaly can also be caused in utero if the pregnant mother abuses alcohol or drugs, or becomes infected with certain viruses.

Our skull growth is determined by our brain growth that takes place while we’re inside the womb and during infancy. Microcephaly occurs when our brain does not grow at a normal rate. In majority of babies, the causes are unknown, and in others it occurs because of changes in genes. Other causes of microcephaly can include exposures during pregnancy to certain infections, such as rubella and toxoplasmosis. Premature fusing of the joints (sutures) between the bony plates can cause microcephaly as well. According to CDC, exposure to harmful substances, such as alcohol, drugs, or toxic chemicals and severe malnutrition can cause microcephaly. An announcement was made by the CDC scientist that there is now enough evidence to conclude that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. CDC is currently studying birth defects such as

Brain cells die within minutes when they are deprived of oxygen. Neurological disorders are classified by congenital, degenerative, movement and seizure, infectious, neoplastic, traumatic and vascular. There are two congenital disorders, hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Hydrocephalus is known as an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, known as CSF, is in any way cut or interfered, the fluid accumulates under ventricles in the brain causing pressure. To relieve this pressure, a catheter is placed from the ventricle of the brain into the

Stigma has been said to be “a feeling of being negatively differentiated owing to a particular condition, group membership or state in life”(Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012, p. 458). There are typically two types of mental illness stigma that are discussed. Public stigma, also known as societal stigma, is the stigma associated with the prejudicial attitudes the public holds towards those people who suffer from mental illness (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012; Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan & Kubiak, 2003). Self-stigma, also known as internalized stigma, is the loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, and personal shame that some with mental illness will experience. Self-stigma is usually developed when those who suffer from mental illness associate the negative stereotypes the public holds with themselves (Chronister, Chou, & Lieo, 2013; Corrigan et al., 2003).

The idea of stigma and what it is like to be a stigmatized person was conducted by sociologist Erving Goffman. He analyzed how stigmatized individuals feel about themselves and their relationships with people that are considered “normal”. Stigmatized individuals are people who are not socially accepted and are constantly eager to alter their social identifies: physically deformed people, mentally ill patients, drug addicts, homosexuals, etc.

There are many stigmas, or misconceptions and misperceptions in our society which need to be shattered. I believe that one of the worse possible effects of stigma is that it causes those affected by psychological disorders, or mental illness, to crawl more deeply into themselves because it provokes a sense of shame. Stigma thrusts those suffering with mental illness into a sense of isolation, social exclusion, and discrimination. “Stigma can lead to discrimination … It may be obvious or direct … Or it may be unintentional or subtle…” (Staff). Stigma is often as big as the illness itself and I confess to having been a perpetuator of this dreaded thing, although not consciously aware and without the intent of furthering the harm of someone.

Changes in personality and having a seizure (fit) are other general symptoms. A brain tumour can also increase the pressure in the skull. The main symptoms of this are headaches, sickness, vomiting and confusion.

Microcephaly results in babies being born with abnormally small heads that cause, often serious, developmental issues and sometimes early death.

The problem with the stigma of a psychological disorder is the understanding that the client or patient understands how society views those who have psychological

Hydrocephalus most often occurs in children, but may also occur in adults and the elderly.