How does Society React to the Mentally Ill?

Question

The reactions and feelings towards the mentally ill or mental disorders, vairies from culture to culture. In OUR society, mental illness is looked upon as a joke, or something that is disgusting or should be pityed. I'm not saying that EVERYONE feels this way, but a vast majority do.

*Thought Disorders:
-Schizophrenia
-Psychotic Disorder

*Affective Disorders
-Major Depression
-Mania
-Bipolar Disorder

*Panic Disorders
-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
-PTSD
-Personality Disorders

These are only a few of many that our Society looks down on as a disruption or threat to us. If you think differently, then by all means prove me wrong. But time and time again, comedians have used Mental Illness as their main act, because we think its funny. Carlos Mencia (love him!), is one of the main ones right now.

Any proof agreeing or even proving wrong my theory is welcomed.

Answer 1

I've worked in the human services field for 20 years and have seen the general population look down on people with mental health issues or developmental disabilities.

I think an example can be found in some people's language. If someone is doing something out of the norm..they can be called "Psycho or Schizo"...also, people call each other "Retarded" if they make a mistake.

Answer 2

When people think of someone believing that the CIA is following them, it sounds funny. When they see a homeless guy walking down the street talking to himself, it looks funny. But they don't stop to think that inside there is a real person with feelings. That's someone's son or daughter, someone's dad or mom or aunt or cousin. It's something that's funny until it happens to you or someone you love.

About the only time mental illness is portrayed in a positive light in the media is when the person overcomes it, but there always has to be a scene of them backsliding and going completely bonkers in public. The only other options seem to be a psychopathic killer (which is not a mental illness) or the butt of a comedian's jokes.

Answer 3

In1939 , they recorded the German government voting for extermination of all mentally ill patients and the crippled babies in the hospitals. After the war these doctors cited American trends for the treatment of the mentally ill. Early civilizations like those found in central Africa had the witch doctors drowning the mentally ill for the tribe. In the time of Jesus the insane were described as demon filled people. In high density living conditions today it is easy to see an increase in mental illness. The need is for society to manage the adjustment to life of all humans. Every large country today is battling with mental illness . I believe this is a separate issue to learning disabilities.

Answer 4

Absolutely you are not mentally ill. Anxiety is a disorder that many times requires the right safe medication especially if you have panic attacks. Nobody has to know if you choose not to tell. But you have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Your Cipralex is a good medication. If you have any problems with it you will only need to have your dosage adjusted. And if you continue to take it as prescribed you won't have any panic attacks.

Answer 5

I believe it is due to part of it as fear, and lack of understanding. Even some doctors believe it is out of choice, unless it is something medical going on and it can be straightened out by medication. Such as a chemical imbalance or hormone imbalance.
I believe it has to do with the biological makeup of the person in which there is a predisposition to it.
A lo of times these mental disorders can be traced back in the family gene pool.
It is contributed to the environment in which a individual grows up in too.
People do not choose to be mentally ill. Society reacts with disdain and ridicule of those who suffer from mental illness. It is thought of as a weakness and and as a cop out. A way to be "lazy" or not to live responsible and take the easy way out.

Answer 6

I have a brother who is mentally retarted, he wasn't born this way but thats another story, and I could just slap some people for the looks they give him. Our society is way more open now than it was 20 years ago concerning this, people are getting better about it but you still have a handful of @ssholes that can throw you back into the the dark ages. they act as if this is a lifestyle choosen instead of a disease or illness. These are Gods choosen for some reason.

Answer 7

Stereotyping is very prevalent in our society

People are called jokes, retards, stupid, idiots, etc- mental illness is now considered a MEDICAL ILLNESS

We need to when we see people using these phrases stop




them explain to them how this hurts and tell them not to use those words again. Certain organizations NA MI, Mental Health Assoc, Has Stigma campaigns to stop this

Answer 8

People make it out to be a joke because it intimidates them. They like to think it will never happen to them, but anything can. I have a friend who recently told me she tried to kill herself a few times. I told her about me being suicidal in the past and I asked her how she had such a unemotional attitude about it. She talked about anxiety only being in my mind and that depression is something everyone goes through. She tries to make a joke out of a lot of things. We all go through the same things, most just don't want to admit it.

Answer 9

You are so right. My immediate family is a great example.
My spouse treats me like none of my bipolar or depression symptoms apply to our life together.
My friends do not understand either. I can not even tell them about my illness.
Society is just as cruel and sometimes your family mirrors society right down to the cracked mirror.

Answer 10

You are right!
People don t understand and they couldn t by any chance, about this disorders
So they don t know how to deal with this people. Inevitably they discriminate, segregate those who are not on the normal standards.
Some choose to laugh, but most of all keep aside from them as if they had leprosy.