Social Stigma on Mental Health Disorders
There’s definitely a
social stigma on mental health disorders although it’s slowly declining. Stephen
P Hinshaw stated that “Of all the stigmatized conditions in current society,
mental health illness is at the top of the list”. I agree with this statement
most people have labeled mental health illnesses as being “Insane”. People that
are diagnosed with mental disorders tends to be discriminated against and is
often subjected to social isolation.
One of my family members
have been diagnosed with bipolar. Although I have never witnessed him act
strange and he seems to be functional and social around people. The majority of
the family sway away from him. Making comments such as “I can’t deal with him
and his mood swings” or “He’s crazy don’t mind him” warning people about his
illness as if it defines him as a person.
Society isn’t very
knowledgeable about mental health disorders. They classify people with some of
the more popularized disorders such as depression, bipolar, and anxiety. As unstable,
lazy, and out of control.
A survey of 1700 adults
in the U.K during the year 2000. Found that most of the participants view
people who suffer with schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug dependence as
dangerous. Eating disorders and substance abuse are self-inflicted and
over all people with
mental health disorders are hard to talk to. (Crisp, Gelder, Rix, Meltzer et al., 2000;
Bryne, 1997; Heginbotham, 1998).
These are the views of society.
Many people are afraid of being labeled, isolated and discriminated against. So
they refuse to seek medical attention for a proper diagnoses and some know they
have a disorder but avoid or afraid to seek treatment. We are taught to hide
our negative feelings in public settings and those who can’t control their
composure are weak. This is why many
feel that they are alone with their mental health issues and opt not to talk
about their problems with others. Some
are in denial because they refuse to believe or except that something is wrong
with them because of the social stigma associated with psychological disorders
I have friends and family
members that are struggling with mental disorders such as depression, bipolar,
schizophrenia and anxiety. Who are in denial because they are afraid of
accepting that’s something is wrong until their behavior spiraled out of
control. Instead of seeking therapy to help them cope with their disorders.
Some turn to control substances which worsens their symptoms due to their dependence
on these substances. Most isolate
themselves because of the criticism from their peers. Others normalize their
disorders because what is considered abnormal today was considered normal a few
decades ago.
Mental health disorders
are showing up more frequently in the media because celebrities are being
diagnose. Although they have proved to the world that some misconceptions
geared toward mental health disorders are wrong. Few have publicly opened up and talked about
their struggles. A great deal of hotlines and websites which are resources for
people with mental health disorders have been created. For those individual who
need to talk to someone confidentially or information on how to cope in a healthily
manner. Yet, it seems like more things
need to be done in order to erase the stigma.
Personally my opinion is the only way is to
educate people about mental health. Ignorance can be a dangerous thing, people
tend to negatively categorize things that they don’t understand. By educating
people about psychological disorders they would realize that not only are the
symptoms of many disorders are similar, but some of these symptoms are things
that they themselves consider to be normal.
Mood swings, anxiousness, and extreme sadness just to name a few, are
things that many people experience at some point within their lives. Once
people begin to realize that we all have problems and question; What is Normal?
What is Abnormal? The stigma would change, more people would seek medical
attention, and suicide rates would decrease.
Resources
The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental
Illness and an Agenda for Change. Hinshaw, Stephen P. New York, NY, US: Oxford
University Press (2007) www.psycnet.apa.org
Mental Health &
Stigma, Aug 20,2013. Graham C.L Davey. Ph.D. www. Psychologytoday.com
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