Why does society as a whole create a stigma about chemical imbalance and/or addiction?

Question

why is it so taboo? why do we judge those that deal with these issues? i had to sit at work and listen to these two people talk terribly about a recovering alcholic and i am constantly barraged with comments about bipolar or schizophrenia.

Answer 1

way too many people feel the need to put down other people in order to make themselves feel better. kinda 3rd grade, don'tcha think!!!? i think that's ridiculous. and if i had been the one in that situation, listening to them talk bad about a recovering alcoholic,  i probably would have said "there has never been a point in your life where you needed help? what gives you the right to judge?" i just can't keep my mouth shut in a lot of situations like that. always stick up for the little guy. and about people making comments towards you about your mental health? tell them to fukc off. it's none of their business if you didn't begin a conversation about it with them. and by the way, if they don't like you for YOU, problems, issues and all, they are not worth your time, jay. (not saying you have problems! lol, i'm saying be who you are, and expect people to like you for the real you, no matter how good or bad) goodnight.

Answer 2

I think that most people who don't have an obvious problem, or are not personally dealing with an addiction, tend to overestimate themselves and underestimate those with problems.  If there is anything that addiction research has shown, it is that a) everybody is susceptible to addiction and b)most people are addicted to something, whether it is heroin, coffee, shopping, or whatever.  I think it is also taboo because it is scary -- people have this terrifying symbolic representation of a schizophrenic or a meth addict in their heads that they don't ever want to have to face.  A final reason is that I think all of us have problems, but that the tendency for most is to downplay them, and part of downplaying is distancing yourself from those who have issues that are out in the daylight.

Hope this helps.  Full disclosure:  It's mostly my own opinions.

Answer 3

Society is full of it..they create the mess and then complain about it. People talk about peace, but if they really had it they would not know what to do with themselves. Can you imagine what would happen if you turn on the news and people are actually getting along and people aren't killing each other  other...think about.

Answer 4

it's a good way for drug companies to make a quick buck, ask any doctor, their textbooks are sponsored by drug companies. no one has a cure anymore, we only take a pill to "feel" better.

----edit-----

kissthis, i would love to kiss that, lol

Answer 5

everyone is different but some people don't like that.

Oh, and the people that treat these 'disorders' make money.

But it isn't much different than hearing commercials and getting pop-up ads all the time telling you that you are too fat, ugly, badly dress, (etc.) so you need to buy their product or service.............

and not much more damaging.