Mental health — Understand and overcome the stigma of mental illness and mental health disorders.
You've probably heard the hurtful words before — words like "psycho" and "schizo." Or you've seen the jokes about mental health on television referring to "loony bins" and characters in straitjackets.
But if you or a loved one has a mental illness or has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, you know that these words and gimmicks aren't just harmless fun. They perpetuate the stigma attached to mental health conditions. Stigma may make you angry and upset, and it can cause the public to misunderstand mental illnesses. But while the stigma of a mental health disorder can be painful and shaming, you can find ways to cope with it and even combat it.
Stigma worse for some conditions
As a result of such misperceptions, stigma continues, and mental health conditions remain the butt of jokes in popular culture. Negative portrayals of people with mental illnesses fuel fear and mistrust and reinforce distorted perceptions. That leads to even more stigma, causing a vicious cycle.
Some mental health disorders face more stigma than others, though.
Schizophrenia, for instance, is more highly stigmatized than depression is. It's routinely mocked and is less likely to generate compassion. Depression, on the other hand, is less often ridiculed, perhaps because an onslaught of advertising for antidepressant medications has made the disorder more mainstream and more acceptable.
Harmful effects of stigma
For someone with a mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating — in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some of the harmful effects of stigma include:
- Trying to pretend nothing is wrong
- Refusal to seek treatment
- Rejection by family and friends
- Work problems or discrimination
- Difficulty finding housing
- Being subjected to physical violence or harassment
- Inadequate health insurance coverage of mental illnesses
Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame
In the face of insensitive comments or crude advertising gimmicks, it may be difficult to feel good about yourself. Remember that you have a medical condition, that it's not your fault and that effective treatments are available. Try not to feel shamed, embarrassed or humiliated if someone knowingly or unknowingly makes light of or pokes fun at your illness. Therapy may help you gain self-esteem and put less stock into what others think of you.
And if you're comfortable enough to speak up, you may be able to help educate people about the hurt that can result from stigmatizing mental illnesses. The tide is slowly turning.
Last Updated: 12/08/2007
