The Role Of Mental Illness In Men And Women

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

Mental illness is often wrongly portrayed in the United States’ media creating stigmatization and misrepresentation. Mental illness “refers to a wide range of mental disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015). Examples of disorders include anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Any “negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are called stigma” (Wilson et al., 2016, p. 2) and stigma can contribute to progression of mental illness because of its harmful effects due to misrepresentation in the media. In the recent years, the United States media has began to address the reprehension around the topic of mental illness, as it has began to develop into a rising problem in citizens across the nation. In the past, any portrayal of a figure or character with a mental disorder would be wrongly depicted, therefore, creating a distorted perception for the viewers (Stout et al., 2004, p. 1). Television shows have started to establish characters with mental illness in hopes to lessen the stigma behind ill characters due to the wrongful associations viewers may make. The way media viewers’ stereotype the mentally ill into categories can be harmful to the well being of those with disorders. Stereotypes can be so harmful that even medical professionals “contend that stigma is a major reason why one-fourth of the estimated 50 million Americans experiencing mental illness yearly will not seek

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.

Despite the recent advancements in education and medical care, mental illness continues to thrive in modern society, destroying the lives of an estimated 60 million individual worldwide, which is precisely what Lexi Lyon discusses in Sustaining the Stigma, where she implores that healthy individuals around the world recognize the real and detrimental affects that mental health has. Unlike other health diagnoses, mental illnesses are not openly discussed nor does the majority of society accept it as a real health issue. Lyon explains that the culmination of false stereotypes, prejudice, and a lack of understanding have led to the perpetuation of ill-willed treatment toward those who suffer from illnesses that affect an individual’s way of thinking,

Nearly 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems expressed that stigma and discrimination has had a negative impact on their lives. Stigma is a mark of shame that separates a person from others, when someone is characterized by their mental illness, they are viewed as part of an often negatively stereotyped group. For those who suffer from mental illness life is already challenging, so having to cope with prejudice and stigma from those around them only worsens their condition and their day to day life harder. Stigmatisation of mental illness is caused by false stereotypes and creates many problems such as self stigmatisation, employability issues, misrepresentation in the media and a

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).

Mental illness stigma may be defined as “a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against people with mental illnesses” (Hogan, 2003, p.1467). There are three types of stigma; structural stigma, social stigma, and self-stigma. Structural stigma refers to policies that limit

“One in five adults in America experience mental illness,” (Mental Health, n.d., para 1). Many people define mental illness as a characteristic that makes one irrational or delusional and derives a belief that those who have mental disorders are not suffering from a real disease, resulting in a negative view of those who suffer. There are three ways to defy this stigma that everyone, from media producers to the sufferers themselves, must participate in to break down the shame and dishonor surrounding mental illness. Mental illness is a real disease and causes a stigma that those who suffer are dangerous and are the cause of their disorder

People with mental illness experience negative stereotypes. Such as stigmatization and ostracism from society. Stigmatization is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance .It can result from various factors such as personality traits and abnormalities such as overt or external (Hasa, 2015).People with mental illness are mostly stigmatized because they are labeled as “mentally ill “ or because of a certain behavior they manifest clearly indicates that they belong to that group. Stigmatization of people with psychological disorder is caused by the public misconception and lack of knowledge regarding people with mental illness or. In addition, those who are less educated people perceive the people with mental illness more negatively compared to those who are more educated. Therefore when people labeled as mentally ill, it leaves a negative effect on public attitudes towards them clearly

The topic of mental health is extremely important, yet it is rarely discussed by the media, in school, or in homes. Because of this, those with mental disorders are often regarded as strange, unable to function as a normal member of society, or even as violent and dangerous, none of which are necessarily true. This stigma leads to some people with mental illnesses feeling ashamed or embarrassed of their condition, and can possibly inhibit them from reaching out for support. An easy way to erase this toxic stigma is to discuss mental health more often. If mental illnesses and overall mental health were discussed more regularly, negative stigma associated with people who are mentally ill would be eliminated, the general public would gain a better

Mental health patients are often singled out out due to others’ fear of their mental state, and because of that they’re not given a chance to be understood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “about 25% of American adults (those ages 18 and older) and about 13% of American children (those ages 8 to 15) are diagnosed with a mental disorder during a given year.” Although anyone can be affected by mental health illness, stereotypes are still prevalent. But just because an individual is diagnosed with a mental disorder does not mean he or she is, “a wack job” or “crazy.” If caught early and treated, an individual may recover quickly. And even if not, the correct treatment can help them to function normally and go about their normal activities. The lack of understanding of mental disorders is often the reason that stigma towards it exist, and ultimately diminishes any possible compassion or empathy from others that’s essential to help those in

A stigma is defined as a “collection of adverse or unfair beliefs” (Bring Change 2 Mind, 2015). Most often, stigmas come into place due to lack of understand or fear; and in regards of mental illness: “bad teaching and inadequate treatment” (Mental Health, 2008). Nevertheless, an article from Mental Health states that the inability to discuss in an informed manner is not a justifiable excuse for stigmas to exist (2008). It is no surprise that having a mental illness comes with its own set of stigmas. While there is a plethora of fiction available about mental illness, the three foremost concerns are that mental illness are deleteriously lifelong, those often diagnosed are unsuccessful, and that mental illness only affects the individual diagnosed.

There appears to be a common outlook on mental illness. Relating social norms theory to mental illness, individuals who perceive others to have negative attitudes toward mental illness may themselves be more likely to devalue and avoid people with mental illness in order to fit the perceived social norm. On the other hand, contact with individuals who express positive views of people with mental illness may lead to reduced stigma and discrimination of individuals with mental illness. Therefore, interventions that involve people without mental illness who discuss their positive experiences with people who do have mental illness may also serve to reduce mental illness stigma. Family members and friends of individuals with mental illness may be especially good candidates for sharing their positive perspectives. (Wainberg, Cournos, Wall et al., 2016). History tells us there is a need to protect the privacy of people who are diagnosed with mental health issues in a world filled with stigma and misperceptions. People with mental illness and substance use problems may be legitimately concerned that employers, insurance companies, financial institutions, medical practices, and educational institutions could use their health information to discriminate against them, often without their knowledge. In addition, with the advent of the Internet, social media, govern- mental data collection, and the constant threat of online hacking, privacy is fast becoming a fragile concept and is

In the video titled “What Does Stigma Feel Like?” a man speaks about how, after hearing of his diagnosis, his brother disowned him and it broke his sister’s heart. This case, in particular, really spoke to me. I feel that it is a prime example of the stigma of mental illness. Instead of helping him and being sympathetic, the man’s brother disowned him. His sister felt completely overwhelmed. Both of these siblings held the view that there is something fundamentally wrong with having a mental

Throughout history, those with mental disorders have been revered as deities for their unusual mindset, or have been viewed with revulsion and fear. Since the founding of the United Nations in October of 1945, the concept of mental health and hygiene have gained international acceptance. (“Mental Hygiene”) Acceptance is the key word. Though mental disorders have become a more observed and better treated medical condition, the public has yet to span the final gap of treating these patients as what they are, human beings. We need to increase our understanding and alter our perception of mental disorders so we can move towards a supportive society in which we are not afraid, but open and accepting.