to what extent is the media responsible for portraying all schizophrenia sufferers as violent and dangerous?

Answer 1

To a large extent. It is also true though, that schizophrenia can be a very frightening illness to be confronted with, to people who have no knowledge or experience of it - if someone is not in full control of their faculties, who knows what they might do to you?
There is a huge stigma, in society in general, attached to any mental illness. The only way to change attitudes is to educate.
Schizophrenics are the most vulnerable members of society and as such, need help, support and understanding. As they are in no position to change people's views on their own, it is the responsibilty of mental health organisations to do so. Mental health organisations, though, are not well funded and certainly can't afford a PR campaign. The media, then, is left with the ultimate responsibility, but raising awareness doesn't make for great sales, whereas as panic-mongering headlines do.

Answer 2

The media will always mention someone's mental health history if it is linked to a crime that they have committed. Also, there are generalisations made about schizophrenia and thus films and so on gravitate towards the more lurid aspects of the illness. I read somewhere (documented research and cannot recall it right now) that schizophrenics are actually more likely to be a danger to themselves rather than to others.
I agree with fiend_indeed, who has answered this question the best so far.

Answer 3

I did not realize that the media was responsible at all. I used to be one but I was only a danger to myself and I was not violent.

Answer 4

I agree. There should be more education on the illness attached to a news story but then that would mean the media actually having to do some leg work.

Answer 5

I'd say to a very large extent. Unfortunately, the media these days is more interested in entertainment than education... And the majority of people just gobble it up.

Answer 6

Most I've ever heard is schizophrenias aren't violent at all. Matter of fact, they are probably are most evolved empaths. If you can see/sense the energy reaction at the level of thought, it's a scary scary world!

Answer 7

Schizophrenics are not continually risky. they're many times nicely adequate to maintain their situation too by using taking their drugs. each and every so often, community psychiatric nurses visit the fellow on a familiar foundation.

Answer 8

Bad news sells. Good news don't. That's the long and short of it. It's unfortunate, but if the popular media can't inject some sort of gore or terror into their stories then they simply don't report them.

Answer 9

Very-it is one of the first things that they mention. History of mental illness is one of the first things that they mention. It is nobody's business-really that is privileged medical information. Nobody has a right to that and too much information-literally.

Answer 10

Do your own damn 1st year Psychology degree coursework! Filling 'eck, what's the world coming to when students can't cheat without the whole world knowing.

I know your tutor!