Nobody looks at you weird if you say you have heart disease, but anytime I tell a doctor or somebody else I have panic attacks and depression they look at me like I'm going to go on an axe murdering spree or something. You would think that with medical knowledge widely available to anyone who looks that people would realize that mental illness doesn't equal serial killer.
2006-10-02 16:28:54 · 15 answers · asked by guitarusa2001 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Very good question! My opinion about that is people are ignorant. They don't want to educate themselves about mental illness. They get this assumption that all mentally ill people are strange. Stigma is a label . People are so stuck on these lables like " Wacko", " Retard" " Pyscho" . Used to people didn't know about mental illness .
Some people don't want to face the truth . They often live in fantisy land where everything is perfect. That's how my grandparents are. They don't want to face the fact that my aunt is bulimic and a drug addict. When I was staying with my grandparents , it was like living on the set of Leave it to Beaver. I guess people are kind of old fashioned .
I guess to put it in shorter terms , some people are ignorant and they get happiness out of putting lables . All we can do is try to educate people . I guess this stigma is just the way it is.
2006-10-02 16:55:16 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a very good question. I say it is still there because our society as a whole has not addressed the stigma - society has only created euphysms so as not to offend. What does this result in? We use a "nicer" word to say the same thing. This will not change people's attitudes towards mentall illness/conditions/
It's really too bad and I wish people would learn tolerance and understanding. I do agree that with the information out there that people should know better.
Also, we all have our mental conditions, clinically discussed or not - many people also suffer from "ignoramous condition".
I do have family members that suffer depression. And I get annoyed for them when someone says, "hope it gets better soon" - what is that supposed to even mean?
2006-10-02 16:42:28 · answer #2 · answered by ami 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People are afraid of anyone different. By labeling & judging others, people can think themselves superior/sane.
There's a lot of negative stereotyping via the news. The RX companies want everyone taking a pill and Hollywood often exaggerates those with an illness. Plus there's still the old mentality whoever sees a psychologist or asks for help is whacko.
Most humans don't know the difference between bi-polar or adhd or most others. The strongest thing is to do what you did; ask for help. The weakest thing is to judge others who asked for help.
Most humans are not as honest as you. So that in itself scares the majority. Be yourself & also be prepared that if you tell others, you will be judged. Sucks but that's still the way it is.
2006-10-02 17:31:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's tough out there when people don't understand. There are so many kinds of mental illness. Unfortunately, we only here about the "axe" cases and of course the mention of them and how they were linked to mental illness. It is truly unfortunate. There is so much stress in this world. So much sadness. So much that no one, no human being is able to "really" cope with it. Oh, we may plug it away....push it back, all this death and violence....heck, we pay for it on the big screen. All the blood and gore. Anyway, we think we are so smart. It's not affecting us. Got news for ya. IT IS. There is a whole lot more mental illness out there than isn't. Shocking....but true. In one form or another. Your not alone friend. Hang in there and keep coping. You have a lot more company than you know.
2006-10-02 16:41:03 · answer #4 · answered by ktltel 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fear of the unknown. Doctors know what will happen if someone has heart disease. No one can predict the behavior of someone with a mental illness. For example: Two people with bi-polar disorder one person may cut their wrists when they are depressed and the other may beat their children, spouse, significant other(s).
2006-10-02 20:11:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's not an exact science, it's not apparent like heart disease. It's not understood because no one can read your mind. They can read an MRI or whatever they use to look at a heart. And it's scary. If you look healthy then they assume you are healthy. When they find out you aren't, it makes it a real possibility that they can develop a mental illness too and since they don't see it or understand it, they are afraid of it.
2006-10-02 17:26:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People still don't like to talk about it. It's an ignored issue, so traditional thinking about it continues. If you're not talking about it, you're not seeking information. ANd if you're not seeking information, then you'll believe the first thing you hear.
The source of the stigma itself is a lot of misconceptions about either ANY mental illness = "stark-raving-mad", or else a personal weakness or failure (which it's NOT). So, judgement ensues.
2006-10-02 19:29:59 · answer #7 · answered by Atropis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel the same way you do...people just don't view mental illness as a true illness...you know anyone that has mental illness didn't choose to have it...It's not like anyone would choose to have heart diease or diabetes or cancer...but people just dont get it...it's not something you can just wish away...people who have mental illness deal with so much...just as with any other illnesses...sometimes it is extremely hard...personal experience in my family...I had a rant of sorts the other day and people were telling me to grow up...whatever...I have calmed down much since that day...can't let the idiots get to you...it's their ignorance...the ones not living with it, or family living with it...you truly don't know what it's like til you have walked in someone's shoes as they have with any situation...It's just most people would rather make fun of something they don't understand and the scope of it and are not willing to try to even begin to understand...
~PEACE~
2006-10-02 17:36:07 · answer #8 · answered by no_doubt! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi! I strongly have confidence there continues to be a detrimental stigma related to psychological ailment'. according to probability below years previous.yet society, human beings,even Drs, hospitals,etc in many situations only have not have been given any thought what psychological well being themes are all approximately. i've got lost the final 9+ yrs of my existence to diverse emotional/psychological ailment'. Agoraphobia,social rigidity,etc. equivalent to AIDS, everybody is afraid,are not knowledgeable or don't think interior the assumption of psychological well being themes. i think the psychological well being community nonetheless has a basic approaches to bypass to interrupt down limitations for persons affected by those ailment'. i assume what frustrates me the main is the misdiagnosing and labeling Drs provide sufferers.They make it look as in case you have a dying sentence. study,check out meds your Dr could prescribe,communicate on your pharmacist.i'm not joking as quickly as I say your pharmacist could be your maximum suitable chum and recommend. they're lots greater "up" on the meds,facet effects,what the med is for precisely. I wish you the main suitable!
2016-10-01 21:14:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you!! Only wish I had the right answer!
Why is the best question!
Especially if everyone knew how many people are actually taking anti-depressant medication. My guess is about 1 in 3 people?!?!
Sad isn't it?
Hang in there chick, I'm with ya!!
2006-10-02 16:34:05 · answer #10 · answered by Gingersnap 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋