...The Stigma of Mental Illness and its Effects It appears that negative views of mental illness are common with in the public. According to Overton & Medina people suffering from mental illness are often portrayed as weird, defensive, and sometimes hard to talk to. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary (1990), mental illness is defined as, “mentally distorted, mad, or crazy” (Russel, 1990). Generally, concepts about mental illness tend to be subjective, leading to difficulties in defining mental illness. Johnstone (2001) gives a broader definition of mental illness, believing that mental illness relates to the individuals spectrum of cognitions, emotions, and behaviors that damper relationships required for work, home, and in the learning facilities (Johnstone, 2001). This definition is also referenced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), which categorizes the symptoms that are used to diagnose mental illness (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Stigmatizing individuals with mental illness are causing these individuals to suffer loss of employment, housing, and stereotyping, and prejudice. There have been many different thoughts this is not research on the topic of stigma due to mental illness. This study discusses the true definitions of stigma, causes, effects, impact of the programs all ready in place, and what can be done to change the perception of the general public . Individuals...
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...Evaluation of whether biogenetic explanations of mental illness help or hinder efforts to reduce social stigma associated with these conditions “People suffering from mental illness and other mental health problems are among the most stigmatized, discriminated against, marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our society” (Johnstone, 2001). Wrong assumptions and undesirable judgements connected with mental illness may be as damaging as the disease itself. Schizophrenia may cause hallucinations including violence. Depression could cause thought of laziness and substance abuse. Social stigma reduces opportunities available for people with serious mental illnesses (Johnstone, 2001). Medicalization is expected to be a strategy that could be used to reduce blame and stigma, although those who oppose this have said to proceed with caution as attributing mental illness to biogenetic causes may cause unnecessary side effects that could worsen prejudice and rejection (Kvaale, 2013). This essay will review the definitions of mental illness and stigma and the impact that social stigma has on people with these illnesses. It will look at whether increased ‘medicalization’ of mental illness, as thought by the biogenetic explanations, has any impact on public attitudes towards people with such illnesses. Perceptions on mental illness is not always accurate as definitions have mostly been biased over the years. One of the definitions used to describe the mentally ill were...
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...Societal Stigma 1 Running Head: Societal Stigma " " " " " " " High School students are less likely [than adults] to seek help for their mental illnesses due to societal stigma. " Guy Bukovsky" Ms. Fornazar" HSP3U" Dec 12, 2014" " " " " " " " Societal Stigma 2 " Through collecting 21 survey results and analyzing the answers given I was able to draw some conclusions. First off, people who have not been diagnosed with a mental illness are 11.6% more comfortable with talking to the guidance department about mental health; from this result, I can conclude that people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness are feeling shame or fear of stigmatization. In addition, those who have not been diagnosed with a mental illness are 11.67% more comfortable going to guidance in relation to a friend’s mental health. Those people who have been diagnosed with ADHD were generally more comfortable speaking with the guidance department. On the contrary, people who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder were least likely to feel comfortable speaking with the guidance department. This further exemplifies the stigmatization of depression. The mean of all answers to the question “How comfortable do you feel when it comes to talking about your mental health issues with friends and peers?” is 3.18/5 which is significantly higher than the 2.31/5 and 2.59/5 regarding speaking to faculty and guidance, respectively. So while there is societal stigma, teens...
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...Mental illness has always been subject to stigma and social discrimination (Mirnezami, Jacobsson & Edin-Liljegren (2015). Beliefs about mental illness are important for several reasons including shaping how individuals seek treatment as well as influencing the likelihood of a patient being rejected by the public (Schnittker, (2008). The changing nature of mental illness explanations from psychosocial to biomedical has been said to have both a brighter and darker side in terms of the effect of this on the social stigma and public beliefs associated with these conditions (Pattyn, Verhaeghe, Sercu & Bracke. (2013), that is, there are both benefits of, including the increase in help-seeking behaviours; and deficits resulting from the resulting stigma associated with this model of explaining mental illness. Despite the premise of the biomedical model, there are mixed consequences stemming from this in regards to how a person with mental illness see’s themselves as well as how they are viewed not only by the public, but also by their treating physician, as mentioned by Haslam and Kvaale (2015). For this essay, social stigma can be defined as, or measured by, the desire for social distance or reluctance to undertake in social contact with a person with mental illness (Angermeyer, Holzinger, Carta and Schomerus...
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...The stigma surrounding mental health adversely affects people with mental illnesses and it has continuously been an issue in the United States. According to Amy Sickel, Jason Seacat, and Nina Nabors, “Nearly half of American adults are likely to experience a mental disorder during their lifetime” (202). Yet, as stated by Susan Abbey and other members of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, the stigma and discrimination based on race and gender has decreased significantly in the last century while it remains prevalent for people with mental illness (1). “Stigma marks a person as different and devalued” (Abbey et al. 2). Many studies show that increased mental health stigma contributes to decreased self-esteem and lower self-efficacy. This...
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...I am a firm believer that social stigma does exist against individuals who seek treatment for mental health concerns. This topic really hits home for two reasons. One, I have A.D.D., and two, I suffer from depression. It took me a while to say these things out loud. I cried when I was diagnosed because I did not want to rely on medication for me to function normally. I also didn't want people to look at me different. Even though I have accepted it, I still get people who think it is all in my head. They really think it is something that I can fix if I concentrate harder, or think happier thoughts. I have had a close friend tell me that depression is not even a real thing. Social stigma is out there. As stated in the artical, "No shame, no blame:...
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...large gray area of uncertainty when it comes to mental illness. The uncertainty mainly coming from psychiatrists that believe mental illness should not be considered a real disease. However, that is not the reality of the situation, because mental illness most definitely should be considered a real disease. Mental illnesses should be considered real diseases because of the effects it has on its victims, and by definition of what a disease is, along with it being very common around the world. Mental Illnesses effect on a person's well-being can be as small and drastic as any other disease out there. If anything, their (Mental Illness's) effects transition from small to drastic, is way faster than the majority of other diseases. This type of rapid transition is unfortunately found in one of the most mental disorder in our society, Depression (Major Depressive Disorder). Depressions effect merely starts...
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...Although mental illness affects almost one in every four UVic students according to a National College Health Assessment research study, it is among the most silent of health related issues. Like many other universities, UVic creates pressure for students trying to juggle academics, extracurricular activities, work, and a social life. Students may feel stuck, and unable to confess the strain this pressure puts on their well-being. The UVic Student Mental Health Initiative is trying to end the trend of silence around mental illness. Nov. 15-21 is National Addictions Awareness week, where students interested in mental health advocacy will come together to spread awareness on addictions in tandem with other mental health issues, in hope of reducing...
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...literature to define Classification. Briefly Discuss DSM IV and ICD 10 and list the main categories of clinical disorders. The paper will discuss the main dangers of classification identified as labelling and Stigma which have lifelong implications for those diagnosed with a mental illness. The main advantages of classification such as most appropriate treatment and community education Definition of the Classification system used to Diagnosis Mental illness. As Social workers it important to try and grasp the concepts of how classification of mental illness is arrived at and to have a basic knowledge of the types of mental disorders people can be classified as having so we can understand the basis of a diagnosis. According Mendelson (2001) “Classification refers to ordering of objects into groups on the basis of their relationship. The result is a classificatory system. Nomenclature related to agreed names that have been assigned to disease or syndromes. Taxonomy covers principles and methods underlying the practice of classification. Finally, nosology denotes the conceptual system that supports the strategy of classifying.” ( Mendelson 2001 p. 63) Golightley (2004) text states that classification is an important step towards the diagnosis of a mental disorder. Mental disorder is broken down into various classifications that represent groups or syndromes of symptoms. Thus if a series of symptoms fits into a recognised pattern of behaviour they can be classified as for...
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...FAMILY PAMPHLET TO MINIMIZE STIGMA FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS A project presented to The Faculty and Staff of Saybrook University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology by R. Paul Johnson San Francisco, CA December 2013 Approval of the Project FAMILY PAMHLET TO MINIMIZ STIGMA FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS This project by R. Paul Johnson has been approved by the committee member below, who recommended it be accepted by the faculty of Saybrook University in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Psychology Project Committee: Theopia Jackson, Ph.D. Date Abstract FAMILY PAMPHLET TO MINIMZE STIGMA FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS R. Paul Johnson Saybrook University Individuals with mental illness have long experienced societal prejudice and discrimination, including among healthcare professionals. However, the stigma that comes from family and friends may have greater adverse impact. This project-reviewed literature on the stigmas associated with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness (SMI), as experienced by the person and family, as factors that may contribute to family/friends inadvertently perpetuating stigmas. Therefore this project integrates literature review findings and the author’s personal/professional experiences in the design of a pamphlet intended to be utilized by...
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...Shrnpreet Sidhu David Mikelberg AHSS 1160 November, 25, 2013 Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System: Individual Summary What is Mental Health? Mental health is the balanced development of an individual's personality and emotional attitudes which enable one to live harmoniously with others (Crocker, et all 2011). Mental health involves the development of a healthy individual towards themselves, towards others and towards the environment in which they live, so one can achieve a maximum amount of self-fulfillment (Crocker, et all 2011). Furthermore, mental health differentiates between countries and cultures, and what is considered abnormal differentiates as well. In some countries schizophrenics are killed because they are the devils child. In comparison, in North American countries schizophrenia is a mental illness that can be treated. A mental illness on the other hand is a medical condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning (Crocker, et all 2011). Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing (Crocker, et all 2011). Most mental illnesses are treatable and there are specific institutions...
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...Mental health is known as the psychological well being and satisfactory adjustment to society and to the ordinary demands of life. Mental health is linked to disorders that are generally characterized by dysregulation (impairment of a physiological regulatory mechanism) of mood, thought, and/or behavior (CDC Mental Illness). When people hear that a person has a mental illness they tend to treat them as if they have a disease. People with mental illnesses are treated like outcast of society. This stigma, whish is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person; needs to be addressed in the American society. If people are afraid to speak out about the possibility of having mental illnesses than they will never be treated for them. Mental illnesses can lead tragedies like suicides or homicides, which could have been prevented with the right treatments and medications. According to the National Institute of Mental Health back in 2012 there was an estimated 43.7 million adults with a mental illness the equivalent of 18.6 percent United States adults. In the same year there were an estimated 9.6 million adults with a serious mental illness the equivalent to 4.1 percent of United States adults (National Institute of Mental Health). This is a large percent of American citizens with a mental illness. Imagine how many citizens there is that we do not know about because they do not have the resources for help or they are embarrassed to speak...
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...happened. On September 21, 2011 he was arrested while working in Las Vegas for using technology to lure a minor and was in jail for 11 days. The patient said he blacks out and did not remember the incident and woke up in jail. In October of 2011 his physician NP Brantman, prescribed him trazodone, Abilify and Seroquel. He was admitted for suicidal ideation and major depression. Hispanics for the most part believe that health is a gift from God. The majority of Hispanics practice some form of Catholicism, with an increasing percentage of Pentecostalism as a diverse and complex movement within Christianity and illness is seen as a wrong doing or punishment from God. Some Hispanics believe that the prevention and treatment of illness is accomplished with prayer or wearing religious medals, others believe that evil...
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...acquaintances and past co-workers. In addition, I read peer reviewed articles to add to both my personal experiences and the conversations. I also read newspaper articles and more closely paid attention to the comments being made by those around me. Using this information, along with my own personal assumptions, I will examine how society views mental illness, the people who have to suffer with them, their families and the process of treatment. Societal Views on the Definitions, Causes and Beliefs about Recovery from Mental Illness/Psychiatric Disability and Severe Emotional and Behavioral Problems Although quality and effectiveness have improved in the mental health field over the last half a century many people who would benefit still do not participate or stay engaged in services. Stigma is one of several reasons why people who suffer from mental illness do not actively participate in services. (Corrigan, P., 2014). Many of the people I spoke with could not give an appropriate definition of mental illness. They made offensive comments suggesting that people who suffer from mental illness were "crazy" or "looney". Others blamed mental illness on substance abuse or said that it must just "run in the family". Some of the teachers that I spoke with surprised me because they weren't even sure of the diagnosis of some of the children in their...
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...How does employee hidden mental illness manifest adversely in workplaces? An employee hidden mental illness has become the most prevalent illness found in western societies today. It has widely emerged within many workplace organisations and surprisingly remains largest among the medical and health sciences fields. According to De Lorenzo and Mirella (2013), hidden mental illnesses effect between 17% and 20% of employees in a given twelve month period. The most common hidden mental illnesses are depression and anxiety, depression effecting 4% and anxiety 14% of employees in a twelve month period. The socio-economic impact of mental illness within the workplace is frightening, the loss of productivity and costs have already caused major damage, and serious consequences for the future when depression and anxiety within the workplace increase. Mental illnesses within the workplace can be worsened if the employee has poor self-management of their illness, which includes inconsistent medication use, and social factors such as low social support, discussed by Munir, Yarker, Haslam, Long, Leka, Griffiths and Cox (2007). Mental illnesses are not treated like physical illnesses by society. They are pushed aside and not seen as a real disease that impairs peoples abilities because it is an invisible illness. Stigma of mental illnesses within the workplace is a major reason why employees choose to conceal their issues. Employees can feel labelled, less capable and treated differently...
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