Do you feel that there's still alot of stigma surrounding mental illness?

Question

Hx of depression and bipolar disorder runs strongly in my family, and as a nurse, I've always been a strong advocate of treating mental illness like any other disease. However I still feel that in society there is a typcast that people with mental illness are 'crazy' or less able to function. What do you think?

Answer 1

I believe you're absolutely right.

I'm in mental health (addctions) and I see my patients being demonized everyday. "Dirty drug addicts", but people have yet to realize that these are good people, with a problem.

I certainly agree with you, we still havent shaken loose the thinking about mental illness... we still conjure up images of "nuthouses" and "crazies".

It's sad, but more so because it's ignorance.

EXCELLENT question, wish I could give 10 points for asking it.

Answer 2

It's there for all disabilities but mental illnesses in particular.  I work professionally where once a year managers have to remind employees of antidiscrimination rules/laws.  I've heard more than once where mental illness is tossed in last as, "Oh, yeh, and mental illness, not that we'd have anyone here like that."  I have bipolar.  Needless to say, I'm not out at work because of the discrimination and ignorant attitudes.  What's more frustrating is that my moods do mildly fluctuate.  Not to a truly noticeable degree usually, but sometimes it's there.  If I had diabetes, I could say that I'm not feeling well today and my blood suger level is a little off.  I'd get understanding and concern.  Pfft, me, I'd get concern that maybe I could go crazy, be unsafe, and certainly should not be a professional let a promotable one.  Sorry for whining.  The being in the closet out of necessity is unnecessary baggage that society loads on.

Answer 3

There is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness.  As a person living with bipolar I have encountered it many times over the years.  One of my best friends is diabetic and has had to take insulin since she was a child.  When she explains this to people, she is met with caring, understanding and sometimes curiosity if someone doesn't know very much about it.  When I have told people that I am bipolar, I get dirty looks, a quick change of subject and outright ignorance.

These days it is more widely acceptable to be a drug addict instead of a person living with mental illness.  Knowledge is really power and when funding gets cut, the word doesn't get out.

Great question!

Answer 4

I agree with you.

I think it's MORE accepted, but people still tend to shy away from those with mental illness, or even moreso, they think that they're just "whiny." I have avoidant personality disorder, and I wouldn't trust to tell people about it without them thinking that I'm just trying to get attention for something. Basically, I'm irrationally afraid of judgment and it's difficult for me to go places, even to the store to buy things. People who know about this tend to say to me "Just DO it." As if I hadn't considered that option. ;P Yet I am perfectly sound of mind, I just have this one... quirk. Lots of people think that EVERYTHING is a choice, and that people with mental disorders are choosing that and need to just get over it. Either that or that they're hopelessly crazy and can't do anything. I've always felt that mental illness is just one facet of a person that isn't working quite right, but the rest of them is fine.

I mean, if I asked "Would you elect someone to be president who was totally qualified and had solid plans to build our economy, but had a mental disorder?" I'm sure most of the answers would be "no" because of the connotation that MENTAL DISORDER has.

Answer 5

I think that there's still a lingering stigma, but it's not as bad as it used to be.  I think that many functioning people are able to manage it and people are starting to realize that mental illness is not a choice and can happen to anyone.  

We've come a long way since mental illnesses were associated with demons and evil spirits.  I think the biggest stigma, like you said is that the person with the mental illness is dysfunctional or a burden instead of a productive member of society.  

Even with treatment, dysfunction can occur with ANY illness because of the different pharmacokinetics and what combination of treatment fits the individual may not be textbook.  I think that employers and family may not be able to understand this, and it's part of the reason that the stigma of mental illness still exists.  

Answer 6

I'd have to agree society looks down the noses at people that have disablities irrgardless as to the type of issue that people have..

I honestly think that everyone's got a disablilty..

people wearing glasses thats a disablity if they can't see.. but society don't think of that a problem.. I'd say the world is sometimes cruel well most of the time...

My therory would be on this topic:

is if someone has a mental disablity and someone thats suppose to be "Normal"

you can take medicine for having mental issues, what can the other jerk take for being stupid ya know???*S*

Answer 7

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma. Its less than it used to be, but its still there.

The national centers of mental health are trying to do their best to erase the stigma associated with mental illness with advertising and billboards, and local programs in schools. Its a start.

As someone with a family history of depression, and one who lives with depression and anxiety disorders, its very difficult to be taken seriously by medical doctors who are not mental health professionals. There is more stigma in the medical field than in the workplace or society in general. Once one doctor says its "emotional", you are usually sent along with a pat on the shoulder and advice to see your shrink. I have both physical and emotional problems, both can be severe at times. There is nothing worse than being in an emergency room with severe spasticity or non-epileptic seizures than to be "watched" with no help. I have hemi-dystonia, which makes my entire left side of my body go into strong spasms, and literally "freezes" in a cramp. When this happens, I cannot talk, its hard to breathe, can't walk, can't relax my muscles, and the pain is intolerable. Think of having a charleyhorse in your entire left side of your body. Because I also have problems with depression and anxiety (tied into the inability to care for myself when this happens, and the loss of normalcy in my life), many times I get blown off by doctors. If you go to any chat page for patients of chronic disease, you will see page after page of not being taken seriously.

It doesn't matter what causes the problem, whether its chemical imbalance, bad childhood, or trauma, all people should be taken seriously when dealing with mental illness. The one good thing I can say is that you can at least admit it now, unlike in the 40's-80's, when my Mom was dealing with clinical depression. Also knew a wonderful woman who was a genius....a wonderful, gentle woman when I knew her, but she suffered severe manic depression, and was hospitalized the second 40 years of her life. Her husband was so committed to erasing the stigma, one of our local mental health buildings was dedicated to him, while he was still alive and well!  (Usually building dedications don't happen until you are gone.) That couple taught me much about acceptance of others, and asking for the help you need. I wish I could say everyone is so caring. There is still a stigma that mental illness is a sign of weakness or shame, and that's just too bad.

My advice to you would be to show compassion, give equal caring to all your patients, and teach children around you to be more tolerant and helpful and understanding of mental illness. We can make a difference with teaching the youngest generation its really okay.  

Answer 8

Yes there definitely it is. I find it incredibly offensive to hear people making jokes about this subject etc. There is far too much ignorance and it needs to be enforced in education so that children are taught to know mental illnesses should be looked upon like any other illness.

Answer 9

  Yes!! And it doesn't help that people throw around words like "retarded" or "'tard" I even had a teacher say the weather lately was ' so retarded" I have a mental illness and it hurts when people joke around about taking the short yellow bus to school. ( which I never have done ) And I am in COLLEGE. those comments are not made by 3rd graders but by adults. I think when more well known people come forth with their battles it lessens the stigma.But people think we with mental illness wander the streets with red rimmed eyes and a look of being maniacal.That's why they changes the name of manic-depressive to bipolar. That word manic gives a bad connotation

Answer 10

thats ur mind playing trick on u