Introduction
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that there are about 400 million people around the world who are currently suffering from a mental illness. If all types of mental illnesses are considered, then it is safe to say that about one in four people will suffer from a mental disorder at one point in their lives. Out of the many mental illnesses, there are some that inflict a severe toll on their sufferers, on their lives and on their families as well. The effects of mental illness can be devastating on a person. However, those with even the most severe of these illnesses can get help, via a prudent combination of medication, psychological treatments and other interventions. What is more difficult in the case of those suffering from mental illness is the stigma that is attached to having the disease. Oftentimes the stigma, misconceptions and other negative impressions of these diseases cause those who suffer from them to be discriminated against. The stigma and discrimination may have even more adverse effects on the health of the sufferer as well.
This paper hopes to examine the misconceptions, stigma as well as the discrimination that sufferers of mental illness undergo as a result of having this disease. Recommendations as to what can be done to remove the stigma and discrimination shall likewise be discussed in this paper.
Definition
Mental illness includes a very wide range of conditions of mental health that influence and affect a person’s thinking, behavior and mood. Individuals have mental health concerns, and these concerns are escalated into mental health issues when the current signs and symptoms result in situations of stress oftentimes and affect the functioning of that individual. A mental illness can cause a person to wallow in misery, and have difficulty with one’s regular tasks such as work or school. In plenty of instances of mental illness, these are managed with the proper medication and therapies of talk such as psychotherapy (Mayo Clinic, 2016).
Types of Mental Illness
Depression and Anxiety – those with anxiety disorders react to detailed situations and conditions with fear and trepidation. They will manifest signs of panic or anxiety, such as a fast heartbeat. An anxiety disorder is declared when the patient’s response is not appropriate to the situation on hand, or if the patient is unable to control his response, or if his feelings of anxiety impair his usual work or functioning. Examples of this disorder are the generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and other types of more definite phobias.
Mood disorders – these are also termed as affective disorders, as they include lengthy periods of sadness or periods of extreme joy or happiness. There are also fluctuations from periods of extreme melancholy to extreme happiness. The most frequently occurring mood disorders are depression, bipolar disorder and cyclothymic disorder.
Psychotic disorders – these disorders are characterized by the presence of distorted thinking and awareness. A common manifestation of psychotic disorders is hallucination – which is the experience of images and sounds that are unreal – such as the voices in one’s head, delusions and the holding on to beliefs are they think are true, even if there is evidence that it is not. Schizophrenia is an particular example of a psychotic disorder (Web MD, 2016).
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness
Physical Symptoms – among the common physical symptoms exhibited by someone with mental illness are a change in personal care habits. The person may look disheveled, no longer being concerned with his appearance. One will also notice that the person is quite jittery or nervous at times, with drastic changes in sleep patterns and in his appetite as well (Woo and Keatinge, 2016).
Mental Symptoms – the individual may have problems with concentration, memory or the performance of logical tasks, there is a feeling of disconnectedness with one’s surroundings, there are mood changes, a loss of the desire to participate in any activity (Woo and Keatinge, 2016).
Social or Emotional Symptoms – the person may have lost his interest in associating with others, and in doing certain tasks with others, enhanced sensitivity to sound, sights, touch and smells, a withdrawal from people and having apathy (Parekh, 2015).
Statistical Data on Mental Illness in the United States
According to the website of the National Institute of Mental Health, mental health illnesses are quite common in the United States. Its definition of a person with any mental illness (AMI) is one who has had a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder that was diagnosed in the past year, and that the illness was for a duration that is accepted under the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The disorders may also result into no impact to mild impact or to serious impact such as those with serious mental illness (SMI). Those with substance use disorders are not included in this list. In 2014, it was estimated that there were about 43.6 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States who had AMI in the past year. This is roughly 18.1% of all the adults in the United States (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016). As for those with serious mental illness (SMI) about 1 in 25 Americans, or roughly 4.2% is afflicted with an SMI in a given year, and this interferes with his major functioning activities (NAMI, 2016).
As for the costs associated with mental illness, it is estimated that in 2002, around $ 317.6 billion was the total cost, broken down as follows: $24.3 billion in disability benefits, $ 100.1 billion in the form of actual health care expenditures, and $ 193.2 billion in the loss of earnings for those who were actually diagnosed with having these illnesses (Insel, 2008). Also, between 1996 and 2006, the number of US citizens paying for mental health services went up by 87.6%, and that the total medical expenditures increased by 63.4% (National Mental Health Institute, 2016).
Misconceptions about Mental Illness and the Facts
The following are the common misconceptions about mental illness and the truths behind them:
That abnormal behavior is odd or different, and that it is easy to recognize such behavior. All people sometimes become irrational and during these times they may behave in unusual ways. These behaviors may be unnoticed as they occur in various contexts and environments.
That abnormal behavior is predictable and may be evaluated. In the news and other documentation on abnormal behavior, even the close family members have expressed their surprise when they actually experience violent or different behaviors by their close relatives or acquaintances. They often describe the perpetrators as being nice, quiet and friendly prior to the incidents of abnormal behavior.
That Internal forces are responsible for abnormal behavior. While this is true in some incidents, external factors such as other people, or the environment can lead a person to behave abnormally.
That people who manifest abnormal behavior are dangerous. As of 2004, it was mentioned that about 40 million people receive psychiatric diagnoses at certain times. Approximately 60-65% of those individuals are discharged from the hospital or sent home after receiving treatment (Mental Health.gov, 2016).
That abnormal behavior is always inherited. Heredity or genes do play a role in the development of certain types of abnormal behavior, but learning also has an influence on behavior. Children in their early years learn how to behave and to satisfy their needs. Thus they may copy their learned behaviors which they think are acceptable to others.
That mental illness is incurable. So far, there have been improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The early identification and treatment of mental illness may help the person function normally and perform well in life. With the decrease of institutionalization and the increase in managed care of persons with mental illness, these individuals are able to function normally in society. There are resources within many communities that are available to these individuals, and also, there are many agencies providing supervision and support for them and their families (Shives, 2010).
There is also the misconception that once crazy, a person is always crazy. Long-term research has proven that quite a number of individuals even with the worst types of schizophrenia are able to recover and lead productive lives.
That there are similarities in persons with mental illness. Actual facts show that persons with mental illness belong to a diverse group of individuals. Concluding that all persons with mental illness are similar is like saying that all Americans are alike.
That the mentally ill person will never survive outside a hospital. This is false as many mentally ill individuals are able to lead successful and productive lives in their own communities.
That the mentally ill are unable to do anything except work at the lowest-performing jobs. On the contrary, people with mental illness are able to perform well in all types of jobs.
That bad parents are the cause of their children’s mental illness. Certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and others have been found to have biological causes. These causes are genetic or embryological in nature (Corrigan, Roe and Tsang, 2010). Parents may have these and other misconceptions once their child is diagnosed with a mental illness. They may feel ashamed and embarrassed, and may try to hide the diagnosis from other relatives and friends. Siblings are afraid to bring their friends home and are worried that they may end up like their brother or sister. Thus having a mental disorder for a family member oftentimes results in the disruption of family life. The diagnosis may have financial implications for the family, and the other children may have difficulty in school or at home as well (Elder, Evans and Nizette, 2012).
There is also the misconception that mental illness is caused by a supernatural power and is the result of a curse or possession by an evil spirit. These people think that the person is not ill, but is simply possessed by an evil supernatural power. The person could also have been cursed because of his misdeeds or the misdeeds of other family members.
Others also believe that mental illness is contagious or easily spread. This is why some people object to their family member marrying a person who has a mentally ill relative, or even if he is an ordinary member of the household of the mentally ill person (Srivani, 2012).
There is also the belief that mental illnesses do not affect children. The reality is that mental health illnesses can also affect little children, but that these disorders are always diagnosable (Mental Health.gov, 2016).
Thus from the above, there is the realization that there are too many misconceptions about mental illness, which are quite far from the actual truths. The next section will deal about the stigmas associated with having mental illness, how it further affects those afflicted, and what can be done about eroding the stigma and misconceptions about the same.
Discrimination and Mental Illness
Social Discrimination
The social discrimination of those with mental illness has something to do with the way the person presents himself to society and to the world. The stigmatization of these people happens in the venue of social identity and is largely founded on the stereotypes believed in by others who do not know the person. People who are acquainted with the individual will not see him in terms of these stereotypes. Sometimes the person who develops a stigmatized characteristic has to adopt a new identity in order to remove the stigma of having a mental illness at one point in his life (Leff and Warner, 2012).
Individuals with mental health problems are stigmatized socially. They are pre-judged, and have difficulty sustaining friendships and relationships. The stereotyping is further influenced by the presentation of the illnesses and the patients in the media, in TV and in the movies. These all contribute to the negative attitudes towards the mentally ill. The social distance (the willingness to engage in meaningful relationships) from people with mental illness is quite larger when others know that the person concerned has a mental illness. It is said that the social distance is also influenced by cultural factors. For instance, people who have been designated as having learning disabilities or mental disorders never make it prominently in the media. Their lives are often hidden from public view (Wrycraft, 2008). People with mental illnesses are perceived in general to be threatening and unpredictable, hence the development of the social distance. This social distance may also impact the civil rights of the mentally ill. There are those who believe that people with mental illnesses should not be allowed to possess a driver’s license, and in extreme cases their right to vote or to have children has been also questioned (Bhui and Bugra, 2007). Therefore mentally ill individuals are definitely discriminated against socially. They also are not able to take advantage of opportunities for education and employment for fear of being rejected one they apply for such (Wycraft, 2008).
They also do not seek treatment for their condition as they fear being identified as having mental illness and are consequently stigmatized (Furman, et al, 2009).
There is also what has been identified as minority stress – the stigma, bias and discrimination helps to put together a very stressful environment for minorities that make them pre-disposed toward mental illnesses. This is what has been noted in the LGBT population, and a minority (in this case, an LGBT) identity may be at greater risk for mental illness. In an attempt to maintain and exert one’s identity, the person may exert more energy than normal, and thus the pain of rejection may be too difficult to bear afterwards (Meyer, 2003).
Political Discrimination
In the past, persons with mental illness have been discriminated against politically. They have been prohibited from participating in the political process. Mentally ill persons were prevented from voting in the past, on the basis of the reason that they “are not in their right minds” (Joseph, 2015). Thus the discrimination is not only largely social and cultural, but it is political as well. Those who do disclose their mental illness (even if it is in the past) when they apply for work are usually discriminated against as well.
Adverse Impacts of Discrimination on the Patient
As a result of the social and political discrimination that these mentally ill individuals experience, many of these patients feel isolated. An internal stigma develops in the patient such that when they meet new people, they intentionally do not disclose their mental illness to them. They may withdraw altogether from others, including their own family and friends (Knifton and Quinn, 2010). The stigma can be an obstacle toward treatment. People who have experienced mental health oftentimes shun treatment, thus preventing their receiving treatment and proper medication. This may lead to further illness and depression as their conditions remain untreated. These people also decline to inform potential employers about their history of mental health for fear of rejection of their job applications. As a result of their stigmatization, neglect and isolation, many people with histories of mental health are beset with even more mental disorders, and sometimes physical issues as well (Stuart,2006). Thus there is the possibility of developing even more mental disorders as well as physical health problems as a result of the stigmatization and isolation felt by those who suffer from mental illness. Also, when job applicants with a history of mental illness do declare their history, they are often rejected when employers find out that they received treatment for mental illness in the past. These individuals are marginalized in the sense that they have less access to all other opportunities in life such as education, employment, and have difficulties receiving access to care (Ngui, et al, 2010).
What Can be Done? /Conclusion
Now that the causes of mental illness are known, and that there is more knowledge today about the disease, many things can be done such that the stigma of having mental illness is eroded.
The media should avoid portraying the mentally ill as violent people who are out to hurt and murder others always;
The treatment of mental illnesses must be community-based and not institution-based. It is essential that treatment is integrated with the home and family life of the person involved;
Employers must be able to welcome those who have had histories of mental illness into their organizations. Special care and attention on the part of the human resources department must be given to these individuals such that they can perform at their very best and contribute to the success of the organization.
The government must create an integrated structure such that diagnosis and treatment is accessible to all sectors of society and does not discriminate against those who live in poverty.
There is the suggestion that a human rights approach towards mental illness should be taken. This means that the personhood of the mentally ill individual should be affirmed and his individual independence and capabilities are to be recognized. The mentally ill person, with the guidance of others, is still allowed to take control of his life and make decisions for himself as well (Burns, 2009). Cultural factors may also be employed to remove the stigma of having a mental illness. Social workers who are bilingual can be employed to help pave the way for the treatment of certain cultural groups, such as Latinos (Furman, et al, 2009).
Mental illness is a treatable condition. A diagnosis of the same should never be considered as a sentence for isolation and marginalization. Treatment should be extended to everyone regardless of age, sex, race, creed, culture or economic status. There are many ways to erode the stigmatization associated with having mental illness. Again, there must be the political will so that all the stakeholders involved will be able to introduce and implement the ways to reduce the stigma that occurs.
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