By Gillian Green
Ever since Hippocrates performed his first exploration of the
human skull, back in 490 BCE, man has been increasingly fascinated with
anything to do with the brain and its functions. Although we have
learned a lot since Hippocrates' time, some irrational notions still
exist. The old 'dualism' argument, for instance: is the brain merely a
material substance, as scientists insist, or does it have an entirely
separate dimension involving the soul, a spirit and even yet unknown
dimensions, as argued by religious and spiritual people?
Whatever the answer, there is no doubt that this uncertainty fuels the debate about mental health stigma in society. It was ever so. As with death, things that people don't yet understand often carry a tag labelled 'fear'. As with a cascading set of dominoes, push the first 'fear' block, and inevitably other irrational behaviours will follow in successive sequence.
Overcoming the stigma
By definition, stigma is a mark of shame or disgrace. Stigma begins when someone is labelled. In the case of a mental health condition, very hurtful words can be hurled at a sufferer, like psycho or schizo. As in football grounds, the person uttering such foul words is creating a 'tribal' division between his perceived 'superior' group and the sufferer's perceived 'inferior, devalued' group. However, labels aren't always negative and can sometimes be useful. A health diagnosis, for example, is essentially a label which in turn helps us to investigate the cause and ultimately find a cure. Interestingly, old diagnostic labels which used to be stigmatized, such as breast and bowel cancers, are gaining acceptance and empathy.
Is mental health the final taboo, the last stigma to be overcome?
Much still needs to be done in the field of education. For far too long the term 'mental illness' has suggested that it's not the same as a 'more definite' physical ailment. There are many who still instruct sufferers to 'pull themselves together'. It's as if the very term 'mental' infers someone who is weak or lazy. In fact, mental illnesses have very complex causes, often an eclectic mix of life experiences and one's genetic or biological makeup - most of which are entirely beyond a sufferer's control. Modern medicine can help by reporting on neuroimaging studies, which show actual physical changes in the brain associated with mental disorders. The more people who read about such studies, the more educated the public become.
Some common misconceptions
It is often thought that mental health disability is allied to violent or dangerous behaviour. The media often compounds this view when they portray a criminal as 'mentally disturbed'. Yet, statistics prove that most sufferers are neither criminal nor violent.
Much 'comedy' in popular culture continues to be portrayed against members of society who can least fight back. There needs to be a complete overhaul of media standards so that lambasting or stigmatising mental illness becomes as illegal as racism now is. Attitudes, though, can change. These days depression, for example, is more likely to generate compassion. It is thought this is because of the ease of obtaining antidepressant medicines, bringing the illness more into the open - and therefore more acceptable.
Some harmful effects of stigma
Pretending nothing is wrong, refusal to seek treatment, rejection by family and friends, work problems or discrimination, difficulty in finding housing.....so the list goes on.
How we can all help
Insurance companies should include mental health illnesses in their mainstream health policies. Actively learn more about the whole field of mental health: its individual disorders, treatment and available therapies. Check websites such as Uticopa for the latest information and local therapists. Watch television programmes and read news features about the many celebrities and public figures who suffer from a mental condition, then discuss them with your friends, family and colleagues. If a member of your family is a sufferer, think about forming a local support group to share experiences.
How to help yourself
Therapy cure
Let therapy help you overcome self-doubt and shame. Tell the world that you have a medical condition, it's not your fault, and that you are receiving treatment. You yourself can help to educate people about the hurt of stigmatizing mental illnesses. And have hope: the tide is slowly, but inexorably, turning.
Whatever the answer, there is no doubt that this uncertainty fuels the debate about mental health stigma in society. It was ever so. As with death, things that people don't yet understand often carry a tag labelled 'fear'. As with a cascading set of dominoes, push the first 'fear' block, and inevitably other irrational behaviours will follow in successive sequence.
Overcoming the stigma
By definition, stigma is a mark of shame or disgrace. Stigma begins when someone is labelled. In the case of a mental health condition, very hurtful words can be hurled at a sufferer, like psycho or schizo. As in football grounds, the person uttering such foul words is creating a 'tribal' division between his perceived 'superior' group and the sufferer's perceived 'inferior, devalued' group. However, labels aren't always negative and can sometimes be useful. A health diagnosis, for example, is essentially a label which in turn helps us to investigate the cause and ultimately find a cure. Interestingly, old diagnostic labels which used to be stigmatized, such as breast and bowel cancers, are gaining acceptance and empathy.
Is mental health the final taboo, the last stigma to be overcome?
Much still needs to be done in the field of education. For far too long the term 'mental illness' has suggested that it's not the same as a 'more definite' physical ailment. There are many who still instruct sufferers to 'pull themselves together'. It's as if the very term 'mental' infers someone who is weak or lazy. In fact, mental illnesses have very complex causes, often an eclectic mix of life experiences and one's genetic or biological makeup - most of which are entirely beyond a sufferer's control. Modern medicine can help by reporting on neuroimaging studies, which show actual physical changes in the brain associated with mental disorders. The more people who read about such studies, the more educated the public become.
Some common misconceptions
It is often thought that mental health disability is allied to violent or dangerous behaviour. The media often compounds this view when they portray a criminal as 'mentally disturbed'. Yet, statistics prove that most sufferers are neither criminal nor violent.
Much 'comedy' in popular culture continues to be portrayed against members of society who can least fight back. There needs to be a complete overhaul of media standards so that lambasting or stigmatising mental illness becomes as illegal as racism now is. Attitudes, though, can change. These days depression, for example, is more likely to generate compassion. It is thought this is because of the ease of obtaining antidepressant medicines, bringing the illness more into the open - and therefore more acceptable.
Some harmful effects of stigma
Pretending nothing is wrong, refusal to seek treatment, rejection by family and friends, work problems or discrimination, difficulty in finding housing.....so the list goes on.
How we can all help
Insurance companies should include mental health illnesses in their mainstream health policies. Actively learn more about the whole field of mental health: its individual disorders, treatment and available therapies. Check websites such as Uticopa for the latest information and local therapists. Watch television programmes and read news features about the many celebrities and public figures who suffer from a mental condition, then discuss them with your friends, family and colleagues. If a member of your family is a sufferer, think about forming a local support group to share experiences.
How to help yourself
- Don't let the fear of stigma prevent you from seeking treatment.
- Surround yourself with supportive people.
- Tell people how they can help you.
- Don't equate yourself with your illness: Don't say, for example, 'I'm schizophrenic', say 'I have a schizophrenic disorder'.
- Become more confident and attend groups where you can share your own experiences.
Therapy cure
Let therapy help you overcome self-doubt and shame. Tell the world that you have a medical condition, it's not your fault, and that you are receiving treatment. You yourself can help to educate people about the hurt of stigmatizing mental illnesses. And have hope: the tide is slowly, but inexorably, turning.
Uticopa.com is the UK Therapy Network, where you can access over
10,000 qualified therapists across the UK. Our advanced Find a Therapist
tool can help you locate a specialist that suits your needs. You can
contact any therapist via our secure messaging system. Whether you are
looking for a therapist, want to learn more about a Mental Health
condition, need to share with others who might be experiencing similar
problems or just would like to learn about therapies available - you can
find support on Uticopa. You don't need to deal with your problems
alone - visit Uticopa. http://www.Uticopa.com
