Mental Illness In Hidden Lives By Liza Long: An Analysis

Diagnosing an individual with a mental illness balances on a fine line between giving a life-long label and misdiagnosing. Mental illness is best viewed on a continuum allowing for a varying degree of severity. In the field, mental health professionals are faced with determining what signifies the appropriateness of diagnosing a mental illness. A professional’s judgment is impacted by their personal perceptions and observations, societies views and norms, and the patient’s history. The film, “How Mad Are You? A Search for Insanity” demonstrates the difficulties in distinguishing those who are mentally ill from those seen as healthy ( ). I will explore my reactions and thoughts regarding the participants’ experience as well as the mental health professionals. Additionally, I will share how this information is applicable to my future career in the field of social work.

People with mental health issues have been viewed and treated in a variety of ways within western society throughout time. Historically if an individual displayed behaviours which disrupted their function in society and defied social norms they were viewed as lunatics, insane or even cursed (Cowan, 2008; Elder & Evans & Nizette, 2009). It is from these past issues that many people still have unreasonable thoughts about mental illness; their misconceptions have created unreasonable fears and negative attitudes toward those who experience it. This negativity brings for many the barriers of not only

Self-pity and pessimistic attitudes remain a topic of discussion with a mentally ill patient, however the more valuable picture revolves around the stigma that the public holds towards those with a mental illness. Unrun Ozer, member of International Committee of National Journal Editors, acknowledges that, “Stigmatization is described as attributing someone in a way that would decrease the person’s reputation because the individual strays away from the general norms of the society” ( 225). Ozer clarifies that a stigma is an unfavorable viewpoint that society has on someone that is perceived as different. Those with a mental illness are susceptible to vulnerability because they are at a small disadvantage than the normal person. Negative connotations, such as adverse viewpoints and perplexing labels, affect the care and treatment process of those suffering because their compliance to treatment decreases. Society is too quick to judge and be ignorant if someone isn’t in perfect form, and Ozer reports, “ It has been reported that individuals with mental illnesses are seen by the society as dangerous, frightening, unstable, irresponsible, unpredictable, and having communication problems” (Ozer 225). Ozer declares that these labels are degrading to an individual with a mental illness, and cause feelings of introversion, decreased self-confidence, worthlessness, shame and despair. If we want happiness to be achievable for all, then criticizing individuals is a step in the wrong

Mental illness covers a range of illnesses involving a person’s mental state. Even with increased knowledge and understanding today people with mental health issues may still be discriminated against and, as a result, many cases are undiagnosed as people are afraid of being stigmatized. Despite this approximately 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness each year. With mental illness covering a

''There's a tremendous need to implode the myths of mental illness, to put a face on it, to show people that a diagnosis does not have to lead to a painful and oblique life.” Those are the words of Elyn R. Sacs, a successful woman who happens to carry a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Mental illness has been plagued by stigma and misunderstanding throughout history, due to a lack of necessary research by professionals as well as a lack of education for the public. The disorders which face the most stigma, both historically and in present times, are the more severe afflictions such as schizophrenia or personality disorders. However, as time passes, more information becomes known about these disorders, and thus our perspective of them becomes a

The authors of this journal Alina Coman, a professor in social sciences and communication and Corina Sas, who has a PhD human computer interaction, believe that stigma of mental illness negatively impacts the people with mental illness leading them to avoid mental health services. This idea ties right in to what I will be discussing in my article. The avoidance of getting help from professionals is one of my reasons as to why stigma of mental health is worsening them. This stigma is making it harder for the mentally ill to seek treatment. Throughout the journal, they support their claim by presenting a novel strategy which is really useful because the they present scenarios and poems that express the emotional world mentally ill people face.

In society, there is much stereotyping and stigma surrounding the issue of mental health. Stereotyping happens because humans take common characteristics and behaviours, and link them to groups in society known as social groups; because of the amount of stereotyping that exists in today’s society there is a great deal of stigma surrounding mental illness and the mentally ill. A common misconception about individuals suffering with mental illness is that they are all unintelligible and are a danger to other members of society, this opinion has been largely criticised by mental health professionals as it is viewed as narrow minded and potentially very misleading. Stereotyping mentally ill individuals causes them to lose a sense of identity as

Although, as time has progressed mental illness has gradually become less taboo, to the point an author can openly represent the mental illness

Although the documentary was filmed more than 15 years ago, it reminded me of the time when I volunteered at the Metropolitan State Hospital a few years ago. In particular, the building that appeared in the documentary gave off cold, depressive, eerie feelings through the screen, and I vividly recall how eerie I felt each time I stepped into the old Metropolitan building. I used to wonder how these patients with mental illness could be successfully treated and be socially adjusted behind the iron-barred windows in the dreary building. Indeed, gradual improvement of symptoms and maintenance of good health in this type of institution seem very rare and arduous. The article written by Hickey (2015) explains that the general view of mental health

In turn, self-stigma creates its own problems, such as delaying disclosure of the mental illness to friends, family, and even health care professionals. Jackie Davis reveals that the stigma “intimidates and scares people [with mental illness], and they have a more difficult time if they disclose their illness.” Davis narrates the story of her daughter’s refusal to mention her history of mental illness in a job interview. Davis expresses the irony of the whole situation saying, “she works in the entertainment industry, so it is open to all races, religion, sexuality, and here she is, afraid to disclose that.” This story is befuddling as it shows people are accepting of differences in anything but mental health. Moreover, stigma prevents people

In her article, Margarita Tartakovsky talks about the common misconceptions held by people about mental illnesses, and how the media plays a significant role in shaping our view regarding mental illnesses. I agree that media has a strong influence in the attitude public shows towards mental illnesses. According to the article, some common misconceptions about the mentally ill includes violence, unpredictability, whether they get better or not etc. The author suggests that we should become critical consumers in order to contest against the misrepresentations made in the media. Once again, I agree with Tartakovsky on her remarks about becoming critical consumers of media. Considering media’s motive is to catch consumers’ attention, it should

Life with a serious mental disorder such as schizophrenia and others, usually never falls within the boundaries of what could be considered ‘easy.’ Long treatment regiments, intense medications and sometimes debilitating symptoms are just a few headlines in the laundry list of hardships that befall those diagnosed with a serious mental disorder. Even with all this, they then must face society and its uncanny ability to stigmatize and isolate these people. While certainly not anything new to this group of individuals, stigma has shifted and changed shape to conform to the current standards of society, and what is ‘normal.’ Is the distancing of mainstream society away from the mentally ill due to ignorance on their (society’s) part or

Like most of you guys mentioned, the most impressive idea that stayed with me is once you are diagnosed with mental illness, you are first a psychiatric, and no matter what you do, other people will interpret your action through a psychiatric lens. According to Pat’s story, mental health professionals perceive individuals with mental illness as a disease rather than a person. They simply treat patient’s disagreement as a further proof of their mental illness. All of those professionals’ words and actions can erode patient’s hope on recovery and their future. They may start to believe that they are really ‘badly ill’ and cannot go back to their normal life, which can have negative influence on personal recovery. Through this week’s readings

Mental illness is stigmatized in mainstream media sources, such as articles, books and movies. The character who is suffering from a mental disorder, is often stigmatized or exaggerated for the sake of entertainment. The stigmatization of mental disorders is unfair to those who suffer from mental disorders. The viewers of media are viewing those suffering from the disorders as “psychotic” or “crazy”, which is inaccurate and unjust to those affected. The media representation of the disorder provides vague and inaccurate causes and treatments.

Mental disorders were hard enough to deal with, but throw in the surrounding stigmas, and the situation only gets worse. According to a study carried out by a group of doctors “Stigmas associated with mental illness have malignant effects on the lives of people with serious mental illness”(Corrigon). Having a mental illness had been frowned upon for decades. Nobody fully understood what was wrong and that caused fear among the general population. When facts are distorted and media spreads false knowledge, everyone thinks they know the truth. Therefore, people are abandoned, by their friends, their family, everyone. Jerry, just a young boy was abandoned by his parents because they ‘couldn’t’ deal with his disability. In an interview Jerry stated, “I guess it’s about time I face up to the fact that they don’t want me and they never will”(Kotuk). After a while of hearing about all the stigmas that surround their illness, people start to succumb to what they