Mona Shattell: What Is Mental Illness Real?

When people think of an “illness” they typically don’t automatically think of mental illness. They think about HIV, cancer, or even a cold or flu. However when it comes to mental illness it is a whole different idea. But is mental illness even real? Addressed in the book, The Myth of Mental Illness (1961), a psychiatrist Thomas Szasz argues that the idea of classifying psychological and emotional difficulties as “illnesses” takes away sense of control. Instead of holding people personally and morally responsible for their actions, he states, doctors attempt to “treat” the person, often with medications. Diagnosing mental illness, on the other hand, argue that mental disorders are as real as physical diseases and diagnosing them allows people

Mental health is essential to overall health as well as efficiency. It is the foundation for thriving contributions to family, district, and culture. All through the lifespan, mental health is the source of thoughts and communication skills, knowledge, pliability, and self-esteem. It is all too easy to dismiss the worth of mental health until troubles emerges (Brager, G. & Holloway, S., 1978). Mental health troubles and illnesses are factual and disabling conditions that are experienced by one in five Americans. Those who do not get treatment, mental illnesses can consequence in disability and desolation for families, schools, societies, and the workplace.

Mental illness becomes a bigger issue with a long lasting cultural stereotyped due to the manner in which it has long been labelled (Miles, 1988). Although mental illness is very much connected to instabilities in one’s mental health state, as previously mentioned, a person can be mentally healthy but still suffer from a mental illness. What is understood by mental illness is that it

Mental health is defined as the state of satisfactory use of mental function, which results in productive activities, interactions, adjustment to change and coping with challenges (Healthy People 2020, 2012). It is fundamental to one's personal well-being, his interpersonal relationships, and fruitful participation in, and contribution to, society in general. Mental illness or mental disorder refers as a whole to all diagnosable disturbances of the mind. These disturbances are characterized by changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior, which produce pain, discomfort, abnormal functioning or death. Mental illnesses are serious medical conditions, which cannot be overcome by simple will power. They are not caused by personality weakness or intelligence (Healthy People 2020; NAMI, 2012).

Or they see them as violent and aggressive, but the truth is a person with mental health problems is more likely to be harmed or to harm themselves than someone else. The only reason a mentally ill person is violent or aggressive is from the lack of treatment and care. According to Mental Health Foundation, “People with mental health problems say that the social stigma attached to mental ill health and the discrimination they experience makes their difficulties worse and make it harder to recover.” People with a mental health problem have to battle their condition everyday on two ends. Frist they have to deal with their mental illness itself. Then they have to learn how to live with it in a world filled with stigma and discrimination. Society doesn’t understand that the mentally ill are not their mental illness. They are human beings first, they have likes, dislikes, hobbies, skills, fears, dreams and passions just like we do. As I mentioned before Liza Long, the author of the article “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother”, has a son with a mental health problem, but he is also a “13-year old genius who loves Harry Potter and his snuggle animal collection.” Many people with mental health problems have jobs, family, school, friends, pets, businesses and responsibilities like we do. A number of people with a mental health condition learn how to cope with

Although about 450 million people in the world currently are suffering from a mental illness, many untreated, the topic still remains taboo in modern society (Mental Health). For years, people with mental illnesses have been shut away or institutionalized, and despite cultural progression in many areas, mental illnesses are still shamed and rarely brought to light outside of the psychiatric community. The many different forms in which mental illness can occur are incredibly prevalent in the world today, and there is a substantial debate about the way that they should be handled. Some people are of the opinion that mental illness is merely a variance in perception and that it either can be fixed through therapy or should not be treated at

In fact, there still are many attitudes within most societies that view symptoms of mental disorders as threatening which frequently cause stigma towards people with mental health problems. Many stereotypes lead people to believe that people with mental health issues are violent, crazy & unpredictable. Those with mental illnesses are usually inaccurately accused of being downright lazy & weak, however, studies have worked to prove this myth untrue. According to Healthy People.gov, mental health is a state of successful mental functioning, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. Many would agree that mental health is vital to a productive, healthy

Firstly, mental illness is a metaphorical disease. According to the article, “disease” implies a biological process that has an impact on the body of living organisms, such as plants, humans, and animals. “Mental illness” indicated the unwanted thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that one performs. Organizing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as diseases is an ethical and semantic error. Those who have a brain disease or heart diseases are in critical condition and are sick, but those

According to the Webster dictionary, mental health is any disease of the mind; psychological state of someone who has emotional or

I detected that there was a difference between an individual being crazy and being mentally ill; until two years ago my perception of both was identical. I can now conclude with certainty that there is a difference between both; an individual being “crazy” is someone who is acting irrationally or not in an ordinary fashion,whereas, an individual being mentally ill is someone who thinks that they are portraying normal behavior and doesn’t

Everyday aches, pains, disappointments, stresses, and existential sufferings are being reframed as mental illnesses with such exuberance that it is getting hard for anyone to get through life without a psychiatric diagnosis

Health is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental Health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental Illness is an illness with psychological or behavioral manifestation and/or impairment in functioning due to social, psychological, genetic, physical, or biological disturbances. Mentally ill person means a person who is in need of treatment by reason of any mental disorder other than mental retardation.

Additionally, the essay will deliver an understanding of mental health and illness by focusing on the underlying perspectives (biomedical). According to Reynolds et al. (2009, p. 8) “compared with other areas of health practice, the mental health field is particularly subjected to heated debate”. Therefore, the essay will attempt to look at the contemporary issues within mental health care by drawing on relevant research.

Mental illness is a serious disease which causes slight to severe turbulences in thought and behavior, resulting in an incapacity to cope with life’s demands or routines. There are over 200 forms of mental illness (Mohlman, 2005). A few familiar mental disorders are depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and dementia. Symptoms include fluctuations in personality, mood, social withdrawal, and personal habits. Many believe mental illness is not an actual disease and the ones affected are imagining their disease or they are making a big deal about nothing. I disagree completely. Mental illness is a real disease and affects more than the one directly affected.

Whenever you hear the word “mental illness” what do you think of? Many people will think of depression or being crazy, but those are not the only segments of mental illness. According to the Mayo clinic, “Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions or disorder that affect your mood, thinking, and behavior”. Some example of mental illnesses are anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and addictive behaviors. I understand that a lot of people battle with some sort of mental illness and are scared to find help in fear for being bashed. I think this topic is interesting because I have witnessed a lot of people having the wrong conception of mental illness.