They are also more likely to be the victim of violence than a person in the general population 6. If a person with schizophrenia becomes aggressive this is often related to the use of excessive alcohol or street drugs which is similar to the situation seen with people who do not suffer from schizophrenia but become aggressive.
Such views would rarely be associated with cancer or heart disease. In reality the cause of most mental health problems, like most physical health problems, is complex and multiple risk factors contribute. Another example of a risk factor, beyond the control of the sufferer, is childhood abuse and neglect which increases the risk for developing depression, problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, eating disorders, personality disorder and psychosis in later life.
Other misperceptions include the view that mental health problems are uncommon, that sufferers seldom recover and that treatment is ineffective. Mental health problems are common; one in four adults will suffer from a mental health problem in any given year and mental health problems account for about one third of all general practitioner GP consultations.
However these disorders have a far better outcome than many people realise. For example half of those affected with a depressive illness recover within three months. Long term studies show that many people diagnosed with schizophrenia are functioning well and at least one in ten people who experience a first psychotic episode will not experience a further episode.
A minority of people with mental health problems have severe, long-term symptoms and experience significant disability but this is no different to the situation with many physical illnesses. Treatment depends on the nature of the problem and the individual. However, in general both talking treatments, such as cognitive behavioural treatment CBT , and medication are reasonably effective.
Many mental health problems can be treated successfully with talking treatments alone but medication is an important part of the treatment for many more severe problems. When medication is given it should always be accompanied by psychological and social approaches. The effectiveness of psychiatric drugs in a range of psychiatric conditions is similar to the effectiveness of medical drugs in a range of physical health disorders including migraine, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high blood pressure 7.
Negative views of mental health problems are held by people in all walks of life and of all ages. People with mental health problems can experience stigma and discrimination from family members, friends, teachers, work colleagues and health professionals including GPs, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses. Education campaigns can help reduce stigma. Most are targeted at the general public but they can also focus on specific groups, for example teachers, the police or medical students.
Education campaigns often involve individuals with a mental health problem telling their personal story, either through film clips or face to face in workshops, with an emphasis on hope and recovery.
Providing accurate information and key messages is also important. Examples of key messages include that mental health problems are common and affect people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures but are not a barrier to living a fulfilling and successful life as shown by the many famous people who have suffered from depression and other psychiatric problems.
Educational campaigns often target the media to try and ensure a more balanced and accurate coverage of mental health issues. This is crucial as the media can perpetuate negative stereotypes through inaccurate and distorted reporting of news stories. Surveys of newspapers in England find that just under half of articles with a mental health theme are stigmatising, for example they use pejorative language or emphasise the risk of violence to others 8. The fictional portrayal of people with mental health problems in cinema and television is often misleading and stigmatising.
A recent report identified four main cinematic stereotypes of people with mental health problems; objects of fun and ridicule, fakers, people to be pitied or violent individuals 9. The last portrayal is closely linked to cinematic portrayals of psychosis.
On the other hand some depictions of mental illness, particularly in several recent television dramas, are accurate, positive and can help reduce stigma and increase public understanding. Tackling stigma is not only the responsibility of those organising large scale education campaigns.
People who have suffered from a mental health problem, family members, health care professionals and the general public need to feel confident to challenge negative stereotypes that they encounter, whether at work or socially.
Another way to combat stigma is through anti-discrimination policy and legislation. This approach has proven successful in reducing discrimination experienced by people on grounds of gender, race and sexual orientation. Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness False beliefs about mental illness can cause significant problems.
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references StigmaFree me. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed April 25, What is stigma? Why is it a problem?
Stigma and mental illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sickel AE, et al. Mental health stigma: Impact on mental health treatment attitudes and physical health.
Journal of Health Psychology. Americans with Disabilities Act and mental illness. Picco L, et al. Internalized stigma among psychiatric outpatients: Associations with quality of life, functioning, hope and self-esteem.
Psychiatric Research. The civil rights of students with hidden disabilities under Section of the Rehabilitation Act of Department of Education.
Accessed May 2, Wong EC, et al. Effects of stigma and discrimination reduction trainings conducted under the California Mental Health Services Authority. Rand Health Quarterly. This can lead to discrimination against people with mental illness. For example, if a part of the media associates mental illness with violence, that promotes the myth that all people with a mental illness are dangerous.
In fact, research shows people with mental illness are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. A person who is stigmatised may be treated differently and excluded from many things the rest of society takes for granted, leaving them marginalised.
They may become labelled by their illness, and so become vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination. Dealing with the effects of prejudice and discrimination is distressing and can exacerbate mental illness. Many people say dealing with this is harder than dealing with mental illness itself. People with mental illness may also take on board the prejudiced views held by others, which can affect their self-esteem.
They may feel ashamed or embarrassed. This can lead them to not seek treatment, to withdraw from society, to alcohol and drug abuse or even to suicide. Stigma can lead people with mental illness to be discriminated against and miss out on work or housing, be bullied , excluded from social groups, or become a victim of violence. Some cultures have an inbuilt stigma against mental health issues, and this can make it difficult for a person to seek and get help and may give rise to shame.
Mental Health Australia runs the Embrace Project , which offers resources and support for mental health services for consumers and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Someone with a broken ankle is not a broken ankle — they are more than their illness. So are you. Try to consider it as their problem, not yours. Mental illness is common. It is not a sign of weakness. Learn some useful facts and figures, and tell people about it. Set the record straight when you hear false or negative information. The more mental illness remains hidden, the more people think it must be something to be ashamed of. People speaking out can have a positive impact.
You can choose how much you reveal about your life. When people get to know someone with mental illness it helps reduce stigma. You may find it helpful to join a support group of one of the mental health organisations. It can be useful to meet others in the same situation, and support groups often have resources that may help educate family members and others about mental illness. When negative stereotypes come up in conversation or in the media, you can actively dispel myths and educate people against harmful, inaccurate stereotyping.
Be mindful about the words you use when describing yourself or others, avoiding insensitive and hurtful words, and words which define a person by their condition.
Speak up when you hear people make inappropriate comments about mental illness. People living with mental illness should be respected and accepted just like everyone else. People with mental health problems are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as everybody else. Challenge it if you see examples of discrimination or of bullying.
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