Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Social Stigma On Mental Health Disorders



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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