Many people still fear and
misunderstand people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. People with
mental or psychological disorders are often perceived to be potentially
dangerous, or, at the very least, capable of causing physical harm to others.
Psychiatric conditions take on many forms, just like physical illnesses do. In
general, a person with a psychological disorder is confused and does not have a
normal process of thinking or reasoning. A person with a psychological disorder
does not speak, behave, and relate with orders in a normal fashion. Mental
illness often result in lower capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of
everyday life. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, gender, race,
religion, or income. This illness is not a result of personal weakness, lack of
character, or poor upbringing. Although symptoms of mental illnesses can
sometimes be disturbing, recovery is usually possible in almost all cases.
It is human nature to fear what we
do not understand. Aside from the fear that is usually elicited in a person who
encounters a person with mental illness brings fear to people, not to mention
that it carries a certain stigma that generates negativity when talking about
mental illness. Because of this stigma, many people hesitate to get help for a
mental health problem for fear of being ostracized or looked down upon. It is
unfortunate that this happens because effective treatment exists for most
mental illnesses. What is worse is that the stigma experienced by people with
mental illness can be more destructive that the illness itself.
Myths are incorporated with such
mental health problems. People should know the truth, for they will continue to
deny the existence of mental illness or even avoid the topic entirely. They say
that people with mental illness are dangerous and violent. While some mentally
disturbed individuals have committed crimes or have hurt other people, it is
certainly untrue that all persons with psychological problems are capable of
harming others around them. In fact, many of persons with psychological
problems are themselves victims of violence.
Another myth says that people with
mental illness are less intelligent than others. Many studies have shown that
most mentally ill people have average or even above average intelligence.
Mental illness can affect anyone regardless of their intelligence, income
level, or social class. This illness is not a character flaw and has nothing to
do with being weak or lacking in will power. Although people with this kind of
illness can play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to
become ill. Psychologically ill individuals are not lazy but only simply cannot
"snap out" of their illness. This illness is not a single, rare disorder
like other people say. It consists of a broad classification of many disorders
including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, schizophrenia, eating
disorders, and brain disorders.
Words can hurt people who suffer
from mental illness. Words such as "crazy", "psycho", or
"wacko" can really keep the stigma of the mental illness alive. These
words offend people with mental health problems. Even if many people use these
words without intending any harm, it is still cruel to make fun of someone and
mock him of his mental state.
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