Is The Open Stigma Regarding Mental Illness Worse than Obesity?

Answer 1

Absolutely yes, 1000 times worse in my opinion and I speak from experience, I have been obese in the past and experienced firsthand the stigma associated with being large. Perhaps it was even worse for me because I had always been thin before that. I actually felt invisible for most of that 2 year period and found out how powerful what I had taken for granted my whole life actually was.I could go on about the indignities I suffered but they would pale in comparison to the pain that is suffered by the mentally ill in regard to how society relates to them.My son is afflicted and the suffering he goes through, the total lack of acceptance and unfounded fears people have about him is staggering and very sad. Added to this the total lack of services for this under served group............Well, as you see, I feel strongly that the stigma is much, much worse for this group and the only way for this to change is for people to become educated about mental illness(and maybe while they're at it develop some compassion!).

Answer 2

I think overweight people get made fun of more because it can be seen. Where as you don't see signs of all mental illness. I think both get misunderstood but on different levels. With overweight people others will just jump to the conclusion that all overweight people stuff their face and don't exercise, which isn't always the case. Where as people with mental illness may get rude comments or made out to be someone wanting attention or bringing it on themselves. I have social anxiety and depression which in the past had prevented me for doing certain things that was expected of me. At my worst not even being able to pay for something at the store let alone get a job or drive. So sometimes I would get rude comments and put down from people who didn't know me well because they didn't understand I had these problems.
So basically I think in either case people need to learn to be understanding and not so rude. No matter the case nobody has room to judge. Nobody is perfect and picking at people does no good in helping them and can make it much worse. Besides it could be them some day and then they'll wish someone would understand!

Answer 3

I think most people believe that obese people have the power to help themselves, whereas people with a mental illness have no control over their condition

Answer 4

no.

people can sometimes feel sorry for those with mental illness, but obesity - NEVER! People (not me) are so intolerant of the overweight because they feel it's something within their power to control, when largely (no pun intended) it is not.


did that make sense?


almost everybody knows that it is wrong to make fun of the mentally ill or challenged, but they think it's perfectly acceptable to ridicule the overweight in society.

makes me ill.

Answer 5

yes i do believe it is. i myself suffer from depression, which is classed as a mental illness. and i worry endlessly and try to cover up the worst of how i am feelling in case peoples opinions of am i able to look after my children properly in my current condition, and i know i worry needlessly, but most peoples preconceptions of mental illness is way wrong, i think obesity is far more acceptable nowadays, although the two are sometimes linked!

Answer 6

Probably yes, and probably it's more painful for those in question.
People should love one another not stigmatize.