Psychology: A Personal Analysis

There are three things that can be used to define stigma: stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination (Corrigan 16). One type of stigma is called public-stigma, which is “the reaction the general population has to people with mental illness” (Corrigan 16). The media plays a large role in creating stereotypes and misconceptions. People tend to believe whatever they see on television, in movies, on the Internet, etc. Three of the common misconceptions created by the media are, “ people with mental illness are homicidal maniacs who need to be feared; they have childlike perceptions of the world that should be marveled; or they are responsible for their illness because they have weak character.” (Corrigan 29-32). These are traits most frequently used to describe those with mental illness and almost all of them are inaccurate. While, yes, there are people who do possess one or more of those traits, they are almost never seen out and about in daily life. The media has an unfortunate responsibility in properly portraying any sort of minority, but yet they still continue to misrepresent these groups. The only reason public-stigma really exists is because people are not fully educated on what it is actually like to have a mental illness. The media’s poor representation is all they know. If the media were to either stop misrepresenting mental illness victims, or portray them in a way that is

Although mental illness cannot be seen in the same way as external injury, our society needs to become more aware of both the reality of mental illness and the effect of our actions on the mentally ill. There is not enough awareness and research of mental illness and this leads to people being afraid to seek treatment. The mentally ill deserve humane treatment because they are equal to all other humans. Mental illness is a result of chemical imbalances in the brain and traumatic events, and the mentally ill deserve the same treatment and respect as other people with illness and injury. Throughout American history, the mentally ill have not received equal treatment and we should work to help the mentally ill to gain respect and understanding.

Mental illness affects so many of us, and most of us do not even know it. You could have co-worker with depression. You could have a cousin with anxiety, or a neighbor with bipolar disorder. The point behind mental illness, is it’s not something to be ashamed of. It should not be something that it pushed to the side, or ignored. There are people in this world, who are accused of violent crimes every day because their mind is run by a disease. If politicians want to talk about gun violence and regulating more laws on guns, they should start at the base. Americans aren’t educated enough to realize mental illnesses plague minds. They turn people into criminals, and it happens to look like there is another heartless person in the world, committing these crimes. What about the truth? The truth is, maybe the person had schizophrenia. Maybe they had antisocial personality disorder. If Americans were educated on this topic, we might understand each other a little

We live in a very dynamic society that consist of many different cultures, beliefs, and values. There is common ground as well as differentiated opinions, perceptions and misconceptions. One such the perception and stigma of mental illnesses. Mental illness is probably the most misunderstood and abused illness. At one time it was an illness that no one would dare talk about. The stigma was so strong it was looked upon as a crime. Patients would be “put away” not necessarily to be treated, but to shield them from the public. It was an illness to be ashamed of, cursed with, and brought upon by the patients themselves. It was looked upon as anti social behavior, poor upbringing or simply a damning disease. A patient of the late Neuropsychiatrist

In the United States, the topic of mental health tends to be overlooked because of the negative stigma behind mental illness. Also, mental illness is not generally seen as a public health issue because it does not fit the narrative of epidemiology. However, mental illness is a topic of public health because mental illness can be prevented and treated. Mental illness is the central cause of many risky behaviors around the United States, such as gun violence, drug abuse, unhealthy eating, and suicidal tendencies. The damage does not stop there. Having mental illness causes risky behaviors, and then those risky behaviors cause even more health problems, for example, unhealthy eating leading to hypertension. Helping prevent mental illness and keep

There are many issues in the world that are in need of being addressed; one problem I'd like to concentrate on are the stigmas surrounding mental illness. 1 out of every 4 people will be diagnosed with a mental disorder in their lifetime, but only 2 in 3 people will seek help. Social stigma, discrimination, and the idea of being ostracized by society stop many from reaching out for the help they need. Often times, people do not understand the obstacles people with mental disorders face; those with mental disorders or disabilities are treated with prejudice and inequity. Those with a history of mental health issues are seen as attention seeking, they face isolation, and can be generally unhappy. People with psychiatric disabilities are

What does mental illness look like? Is it the “weird” kid at your school that everyone bullies? Or maybe the latest hair-raising movie about a psycho killer? Mental illness is constantly construed and made to seem dangerous, unnatural, and sickening. Mental illness, as defined by Mayo Clinic, is simply a “disorder that affects your mood, thinking, and behavior”(). These people, who live with mental health issues, including one out of ten teens and one out of five adults, are often treated as if it is their own fault that they are different(). From uncharged jailing to not being able to choose what is best for them to plain everyday interaction, persons with mental illness are ostracized and treated unfairly. As a country, we are failing our

With so many inaccurate an unfair public perceptions to individuals with a mental illness may be responsible for the violent crimes being committed in neighborhoods and all around the world. When a violent crime has been committed the media will always link it to a person being mentally ill. Which can be damaging to the people who really suffer from a mental illness. They may be to embarrass to seek medical care, causing a fear of them being judged. Others may not really care on the person’s wellbeing and think that all people who commit violent crimes should be considered with having some type of mental illness

Mental health and illness is something that unfortunately lacks aid in our world and society. Not only is mental illness something that is difficult to handle for those that are suffering from the symptoms and trying to live with them day in and day out. These people are also stuck dealing with the huge stereotypes and stigmas of mental illness and lack of knowledge by others.

We constantly hear that mental health is not a thing and mental illness is only for crazy people, or people saying why can't you just snap out of it. People assuming that others are just doing it for attention. Also, there is this fear that comes along from mental illness that it is linked to burglars, murders, terrorist, and serial killers because of how the news podcasts them as having a mental illness without specifying what exactly they have. Even the people that acknowledge it is real, believe that it is not much of an importance and it has little if not no impact on our life. People also have colored mental illness with shame and embarrassment, and you can't wear it publicly and have to hide it no matter what. If you do wear it publicly while dealing with the shame and embarrassment you’ll also have to endure the fact that people won't define you as who you are but instead see your illness as the definition of

But what could attribute to this stigma? Approximately seventy-five percent of the population views people with a mental illness as dangerous (Corrigan et. al—2). Such a high percentage indicates that the majority of the population holds a negative connotation both about the prospect of mental illness, and towards the individuals who were unfortunate enough to contract the illness. A reasonable person would object to this, claiming that those people were making uneducated assumptions of the mentally ill population, which an informed person would be able to make the clear distinction between a dangerous individual and one who is not. A 2004 study performed by P.Corrigan, A. Watson, A.Warpinsku and G.Garcia, collected data from 161 people from a community college who were randomly assigned to one of three conditions concerning the education of mental illness; education about violence, education about stigma and a control where either mental illness or physical disability issues were taught or discussed. The results of this study found that those who were in the group “concerning education about violence were more consistent in their demonstration of negative attitudes towards people with mental illness” (Corrigan et al—2). This directly challenges the practices by some community groups that insist that education of people about mental illness should focus on the dangers of not getting treatment, which often includes depicting a violent picture of

In today’s society we are becoming more aware of the way our words or judgement can hurt others. However, there’s still a lot of stigma around mental illness. This judgement we have towards people with mental illness is what keeps some of them from seeking the help they need. The stigma isn’t just from those without mental illness though. People with mental illness often have their own stigmas as well. We need to come together and show men and women with mental illness that it is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, mental illness can be overcome and improved.

When most people hear about mental illness, they automatically think that it is something dangerous. This is because of all the stigma attached to disorders and what is being shown in the media. Most shows and productions portray people with mental illnesses as being crazy and committing acts of violence. Stigma and discrimination make a barrier to diagnosis, treatment, and also to acceptance in the community (Fast Facts about Mental Illness). It can be harder to find a job, because employers believe that hiring someone with a mental illness can lead to workplace violence. Having a mental illness also affects social life at school, as it is easy to be ignored and left out for being different or weird. But when it is thought about, there are

“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” -Malcolm X. It can be said without a doubt that media plays a massive role in how society views certain things. A negative media portrayal ultimately leads to negativity and stigma towards whichever group. One of the groups that is severely impacted by these dismissive representations is mental illness. The portrayal of mental illness in mass media as violent, amusing, or downright “nuts”, is inaccurate and vilifying, but can be resolved by the inclusion of mental health specialist in program planning.

Around the U.S. and other countries stigma has been an issue that has caused treatment for mental health to be less effective than it should be. It is a huge issue when people believe that getting help for something that ills them is a sign of weakness or that it is not a real problem. No one ever thought that about a stomach bug or a headache, but when it comes to depression, anxiety or any other psychological issue people view it in a different light. Kids are going excused from school because they had a stomach ache but are not excused if there is a mental problem. Children are being effected the worst from the stigma. If their parents are not taking the issue seriously then they will not either. This in a nutshell is stigma at its finest. The biggest detriment to the fight against mental health illness is stigma. The irony of it all is that stigma is a social construction which basically means it is made up. If it was not for the way people think than mental health problems would be combatted much easier. . If society could find a way to eliminate it as a problem then the grasp on the mental health outbreak can be contained. Kids would not be afraid or embarrassed to discuss their problems. The goal should be molding society where fighting mental illness is considered a strength rather than having one is a weakness.