Why is society so uncomfortable with (and sometimes afraid of) mental illness?

Question

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 3 years ago. After much denial I have finally realized that much of society still does not understand that mental illness is biologically based and that the only "bad decision" the sufferer made was being born.
For example, one Gallup poll taken in the late 90's revealed that approx. 30% of Americans would rather live next door to a convicted felon than a person with severe and persistent mental illness. I have found that some people assume that I am of below average intelligence when I reveal my illness or get this strange look on their face and stop the conversation immediately. Why does society have this perception? People don't seem to realize that mental illness effects everyone from Phd's to high school drop outs. Can someone please think of a solution to end these long-standing myths?

Answer 1

We can try to dispel that thinking right here on YA. I would say 100% of all people have some kind of mental disorder or illness.

It is ironic that so many mental problems are being given thousands of different names. Stress is the number one cause of many.

We live in a world of stressful problems. The Bible says, "Men's hearts will fail them for fear of the things coming upon the earth."

More than once in Scripture Jesus said - "Do not fear."

Answer 2

I think a large part of society just doesn't understand mental illness and cannot treat it in the same manner as a physical illness, like a heart condition or cancer. There has been such a long standing stigma associated with mental illness, that progress and acceptance has been very slow. We sometimes fear what we cannot understand. The only thing that will allow society to be more understanding and less misguided about mental illness is continual education and public awareness.

Answer 3

Well, it's because we don't understand mental illness. People are uneasy, because they don't know what to expect from a person who is mentally ill. Most of them are harmless, but a few are violent.

I am sympathetic to your situation. I don't know what the solution is. I would never be mean to someone who has a condition that is not their fault, but I can understand how people are uneasy about not knowing how a person might react.

I think that a lot of people equate mental illness with people who go into a mall or school and start shooting people. These people obviously have something wrong with them. This is why people are afraid of mentally ill people. It isn't fair, but a lot of people are that way.

Answer 4

Agoraphobia is the fear of public places and its not that uncommon <3 If you have panic attacks in public and are afraid, that's almost exactly what happens of agoraphobics, you can get helped by your doctor Many agoraphobics stop attending public places because they are afraid they will have the fears they usually have in those settings MARS MISSION DOESN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT AGORAPHOBIA IS, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING ALONE IN PUBLIC Try looking up the symptoms of a panic attack and see if you have those, than you can ask a doctor how to stop them

Answer 5

It's the fear of unpredictable behavior. The solution would be for all the People who are suffering from this disorder to stay on their meds instead of self proclaiming themselves cured. Simple, but it'll never happen. Good luck in life, I know People with this disorder and I know it must be hard for You.

Answer 6

bipolar disorder is overly diagnosed. nearly half of all people i deal with (legal work for indigent people) say they are bipolar and try to use bipolar or some other mental illness as an excuse for their short comings and problems. instead of trying to overcome their mental illness too many people use it as a crutch!

Answer 7

What people don't understand they just ignore. I myself don't know much about this mental illness so I don't know how to socialize with some one who has it. I think we could all do with some education.

Answer 8

I think it is like jail inmates....people know they're there. but they don't want to see them. Or the same goes with the blind, cripple,...etc. If you see them, you might think it is a weakness and you don't want it to "rub off" on you. Also, there is the uncomfortableness of how to act around them. Do you treat them special, what if you laugh? How many people, f they knew, would want to work with a person with AIDS? I feel we just look down on anyone who may be against the norm.

Answer 9

Mental "illness" is hardly one thing. Sanity is a choice. Proper nutrition is a choice. Most of us have a hard time relating to something we don't understand.

Answer 10

Part of it's a history of fear and ostricism. People are afraid of the unknown and the unpredictable.