Stigma

I was appalled!!

I thought, I would share this, and see what others think about this. I will probably add more on this subject to this thread, as I get more info.

MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSED BY LACK OF GOOD OLD FASHIONED WILL POWER.

You may have read this headline and reacted negatively to whoever would be so ignorant to write such a statement. Yet this is just one of the many myths that is perpetuated each and every day by millions of people about mental illness.

There should be no doubt in anybody's mind that these myths reinforce a terrible and sustained stigma surrounding the numerous brain diseases that are termed mental illness. The word "Stigma" is defined as a mark or sign of shame, disgrace or disapproval, of being shunned or rejected by others. Perhaps you have experienced this definition first hand as a person with a brain disorder or as a parent, spouse, sibling, other family member or friend of a person afflicted with a mental illness. You may have experienced this stigma with co-workers, friends, other family members or possibly at church.

The truth is that you cannot speak about schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, etc. the same as you would about cancer, diabetes, asthma, or any of the other "recognized physical illnesses" with most people. There is a powerful veil of silence that is applied to speaking about mental illness that has a devastating effect on the person with the illness, family members or friends, and also the community in general. When it is talked about, it is often in derogatory or demeaning terms.

How is it that when a person suffers a heart attack, he/she is taken to a hospital for treatment and care, but a person whose brain chemistry is out of balance is sent to the funny farm, nut house, booby hatch or some other such place. Diabetes is treated by a doctor, mental illness by a head shrinker. Isn't it amazing to compare the terminology used to describe hospitalization and treatment between illnesses.

People with a mental illness suffer several labels or stereotypes which makes a difficult illness even more difficult to cope with. Several of these are routinely, and without thought, reinforced in movies, TV, and the media. Common among the labels or stereotypes are: lazy, unsafe to be around, unintelligent, dangerous to children, irresponsible, untreatable, without conscience, and on and on. These negative stereotypes result in discrimination and isolation for the individual suffering from a brain disease and effectively close the door to adequate insurance coverage, employment opportunities, and the chance to be participating and productive members of society.

The facts about mental illness

oThey are disorders of the brain that disrupt a personò³ ´hinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are brain disorders that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

oMental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.

oDespite media focus on the exceptions, individuals receiving treatment for schizophrenia are no more prone to violence than the general public.

oOne in five families is affected in their lifetime by a severe mental illness, such as bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression.

oMost importantly, these brain disorders are treatable. Most people with serious mental illness need medication to help control symptoms. Supportive counseling, self-help groups, housing, vocational rehabilitation, income assistance and other community services can also provide support and stability, leaving the focus on recovery.

The stigma makes me angry...then it makes me want to do something about it.

I can't change society's ignorance. All I can do is tell people i have bipolar disease and I am not a monster.

I am a human being with a condition that affects my body chemistry. I am normal in many ways: I am a woman, a wife, a mother, and employer. The only difference between me and other people is the fact that I have bipolar disease.

And anyone who doesn't like it i just say to them NUTS...a reference to a reply made by a General who was surrounded by the enemy and asked to surrener...his reply was NUTS. That is my message to society...If more people who are functioning normally and have a mental illness would speak up...then the stigma would have to go away. But, we are ashamed of something we should not be ashamed of...the shame rests on people who are ignorant of something they do not understand. And all they hear are the horror stories because those of us who are afraid and leading normal lives are silent. Afraid to be found out...

I don't blame you for being afraid to speak up. I was afraid too years ago...then it dawned on me. I didn't really care what people thought of me. And if I speak up it might help the other person who is silent and is afraid.

Post edited by: norma, at: 05/01/2008 20:41

I'm not offended by negative societal remarks concerning my condition. As said in both posts, I simply have a chemical imbalance in my brain. In fact it is no different than that of someone battling cancer, diabetes, or parkinsons.

I think that negative connotations derive from the actions that people who are mentally ill. I mean, if I were facing the facts, I can guarandamntee ya that I probably looked pretty wacked out to some people.

I think it is easier to accept an internal illness that responds to pain, than it is to accept an internal illness that acts on an emotional level.

The negatives are a response by people who are scared because they don't know what a proper interaction is. When someone is stricken with cancer, we feel sympathetic and our response to the person is kind or caring, and in most cases the person responds similiarly.

Now depending on my day and if the chemicals are off, someone may say something sypathetic and it rubs me the wrong way and I go off on some random conversation because I have so much to say about sayd subject and I can't control all of my thoughts and they keep coming out of my mouth chopped to bits because there are too many of them. Someone is BOUND to at least think that I am NUTS, or I need to go to the "CRAZY HOUSE".

So it doesn't offend me, as much as it makes me sad that I put people in those situations that make them less able to understand why clear communication is sometimes not an option for me. People get SCARED when they are reacted to in such a manner.

I don't know how many times before my own diagnosis I witnessed somebody on the sidewalk talking to themselves and made the gesture to my husband with my finger and my ear and the appropriate whistle (you know the one that goes cuckoo cuckoo). I would never do that now, because my heart goes out to those of us with mental illness.

People though, aren't likely to research unless it affects them directly in one way or another. So the majority of the population remains scared of what they know nothing about. That's all.

He thinks to acknowledge he might even remotely have something, as he puts it, "wrong upstairs" is out of the question & says things like he's "NOT CRAZY" his words, he CANNOT or WILL NOT

think that it is OK to take medicine for a chemical imbalance of brain chemicals, yet he thinks it is perfectly OK to take prescription allergy medicine for a chemical imbalance of overreacting histamine that gives him allergies!!!

I tried so many times to tell him, your blood's chemicals overreact and get an imbalance when you are exposed to something you are allergic to, and you have no problem taking meds for that....your stomach acids overreact to things you eat and drink and that causes them to go out of balance and you have no problem taking antacids rx for that, why won't you see your brain is just another body part that needs an imbalance corrected? Maybe I have been harsh with him, but there were times I just didn't know how else to put it, and he seems to understand the bluntness the best! I pleaded at least take anything to help your moods??? His reply is usually, theres' nothing wrong with me! Yet all his moods caused problems with rage, isolation,self medicating with alcohol, depressions, manic spending sprees, relationships etc.

People get heavily in denial because the progression of a mental illness is sometimes slow and gradual, leading them to believe the "It's just the way I am" theory and "if you don't like who I am that is your problem" solution.

I believe there are many people still who the Bipolar diagnosis fits but refuse to get help BECAUSE of the stigma.

My mother being the perfect example, called me last night the first two minutes were sweet, the next two minutes she spent yelling at me, then she started laughing hysterically...huh? Then she got off the phone real quick, THEN she called my cell phone leaving a message to apologize to me...AT THIS POINT I AM FRIGGIN' CONFUSED.

The point is this is how I grew up. I think she is a type 1 rapid cycler.

Will she get diagnosed and take meds? NO WAY IN HELL.

The first one was when my friend went to court to get a protection order to protect her daughter in an abuse case, and the judge asked her if she was mental. The detective said she was crazy, too. She has never been diagnosed for any mental illness. They used that to justify not taking her seriously.

The second situation was at the pdocs office. My pdoc has been making all kinds of assumptions about me, because, I have bipolar. He is assuming, I want off my meds, assuming, I was on Zyprexa, and haven't been on it for 6 yrs, and assumed, I had been in the hospital. I have never been in a hospital. He has never read my file, and lies to me about Lithium causing weight gain. I told him, I had an episode, and he immediately asked if, I had decreased my meds. Then, he ignores it.It's obvious, he hasn't read my file, and has a general opinion of bipolar patience about what they all do. I have never ran into this before. He also talks to me like a little kid. Can there be stigma from psychiatrists? Maybe this is another reason why people are afraid to get help.

In the past they used to lock people with mental illness up in institutions, and medicate them, so they couldn't move.

I have a good friend who was chained up before. We have come along way.

Progress is being made to remove the stigma of mental illness and mental health disorders. Meantime, you can take positive steps to combat stigma.

You've probably heard the hurtful words before — words like "psycho" and "schizo." Or you've seen the jokes about mental health on television referring to "loony bins" and characters in straitjackets.

But if you or a loved one has a mental illness or has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, you know that these words and gimmicks aren't just harmless fun. They perpetuate the stigma attached to mental health conditions. Stigma may make you angry and upset, and it can cause the public to misunderstand mental illnesses. But while the stigma of a mental health disorder can be painful and shaming, you can find ways to cope with it and even combat it.

Stigma begins with labeling someone

Stigma, by definition, is a mark of disgrace or shame. Stigma has four components:

Labeling someone with a condition

Stereotyping people who have that condition

Creating a division — a superior "us" group and a devalued "them" group, resulting in loss of status in the community

Discriminating against someone on the basis of their label

Labels can be useful, though, and they're not always negative. In health, for instance, a diagnosis is, in essence, a label. A label can offer reassurance that your condition has a medical cause, and it can help steer you toward appropriate treatment.

Labels don't always result in stigma, either. Many illnesses today are gaining acceptance and empathy. Breast cancer is a shining example. Survivors used to feel shamed and kept their condition secret for fear of being stigmatized. Today, though, survivors and advocates openly talk about the condition, hold fundraisers or wear ribbons or wristbands to show support.

Why mental health disorders still face stigma

While most people would never think of mocking someone with breast cancer, mental health disorders and conditions still remain fair game for ridicule.

Mental vs. physical

Why does stigma of mental illnesses continue? For one thing, the term "mental illness" suggests that it's not the same as a medical or physical illness. To some, the word "mental" suggests that the illness is not a legitimate medical condition but rather a problem caused by your own choices and actions. People may blame you and think your condition is "all in your head." They may think that a mental health disorder means that you're weak or lazy. They may think that you should just "get over it." And you may begin to think these things about yourself, too.

In reality, mental illnesses have very complex causes, often a mix of your genetics, your biology and your life experiences — most of which are beyond your control. Neuroimaging studies, for instance, show physical changes in the brain associated with mental disorders. And studies show that some mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that they may be due in part to your genes.

Crime and violence

Some people also believe that if you have a mental health disorder, you must be dangerous and violent. This perception is often inflamed by media accounts of crime in which someone is vaguely referred to as "mentally ill."

Statistics, however, don't bear out a connection between mental illnesses and violence. Most people who have a mental illness are neither violent nor criminals.

Stigma worse for some conditions

As a result of such misperceptions, stigma continues, and mental health conditions remain the butt of jokes in popular culture. Negative portrayals of people with mental illnesses fuel fear and mistrust and reinforce distorted perceptions. That leads to even more stigma, causing a vicious cycle.

Some mental health disorders face more stigma than others, though.

Schizophrenia, for instance, is more highly stigmatized than depression is. It's routinely mocked and is less likely to generate compassion. Depression, on the other hand, is less often ridiculed, perhaps because an onslaught of advertising for antidepressant medications has made the disorder more mainstream and more acceptable.

Harmful effects of stigma

For someone with a mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating — in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some of the harmful effects of stigma include:

Trying to pretend nothing is wrong

Refusal to seek treatment

Rejection by family and friends

Work problems or discrimination

Difficulty finding housing

Being subjected to physical violence or harassment

Inadequate health insurance coverage of mental illnesses

Open discussion can help erase stigma

Not all the news is bad, though. Today, the stigma surrounding some mental health disorders is slowly eroding. That's due in part to greater public understanding of mental illnesses and the biological basis that many of them have. As causes of mental illnesses and better treatments for them are discovered, stigma may fade even more.

In addition, many celebrities and public figures have openly discussed their experiences with a mental health condition. This also helps bring the topic out of the closet of shame.

Coping with stigma

So what can you do about stigma? If you have a mental illness, you can decide who to tell, if anyone, and how much to tell. You may not be comfortable telling anyone anything at all about your condition. On the other hand, if you confide in people you trust, you may find much-needed compassion, support and acceptance.

Perhaps you want to actively combat stigma. You may only be comfortable pushing for more awareness within a close circle of family and friends by gently reminding them about the harm in jokes and stereotypes. Or if you're more comfortable tackling bigger challenges and facing bigger risks, you may decide to make your cause more public.

In either case, here are some ways you can cope with and help end stigma:

Get appropriate treatment. Don't let the fear or anticipation of being stigmatized prevent you from seeking treatment for your illness. For some people, a specific diagnosis provides relief because it lifts the burden of keeping silent and also underscores that you aren't alone — that many others share your same illness and issues.

Surround yourself with supportive people. Because stigma can lead to social isolation, it's important to stay in touch with family and friends who are understanding. Isolation can make you feel even worse.

Make your expectations known. People may not know how to support you, even if they want to help. Offer specific suggestions and remind people of appropriate language.

Don't equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "a schizophrenic," call yourself "a person with schizophrenia." Don't say you "are depressed." Say you "have depression."

Share your own experiences. Speaking at events can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and also educate the public about mental illness. Until you gain confidence, you may want to start at small events, such as talks at a support group or church community.

Monitor the media. If you spot stigmatizing stories, comic strips, movies, television shows or even greeting cards, write letters of protest that identify the problem and offer solutions.

Join an advocacy group. Some local and national groups have programs to watch for and correct archaic stereotypes, misinformation and disrespectful portrayals of people with mental illnesses.

Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame

In the face of insensitive comments or crude advertising gimmicks, it may be difficult to feel good about yourself. Remember that you have a medical condition, that it's not your fault and that effective treatments are available. Try not to feel shamed, embarrassed or humiliated if someone knowingly or unknowingly makes light of or pokes fun at your illness. Therapy may help you gain self-esteem and put less stock into what others think of you.

And if you're comfortable enough to speak up, you may be able to help educate people about the hurt that can result from stigmatizing mental illnesses. The tide is slowly turning.