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The Misconception of Mental Illness and The Stigmatism that Follows 1

Introduction

There are a variety of illnesses in the world that have a direct impact on individual’s

lives. Even if that illness is physical, emotional, or psychological, these individuals all deserve a

chance to have equal opportunities in society. As society looks around they may notice how

many diseases are downplayed, one of them being mental illness. The National Alliance on

Mental Illness also referred to as “NAMI”, defines mental illness as “a condition that affects a

person's thinking, feeling or mood. These conditions may affect someone's ability to relate to

others and function each day” (NAMI, 2018). NAMI also states that “mental illnesses can affect

persons of any age, race, religion, or income” (NAMI, 2018). Analyzing this definition, society

can conclude that mental illness can affect any individual and that its condition has a drastic

effect on the lives of the individuals impacted by it. People suffering from mental illness are

stereotyped as dangerous, weak-willed, and as fabricating their symptoms. Along with the

negative impact of associative stigma on their family and friends, the time has come where the

stigma associated with mental illness must become a top health priority in order to help spread

the awareness of mental illness worldwide.

The vast varieties of personalities have riveted scientists and other innovative individuals

since the beginning of mankind. Many are specifically interested in what happens when an

individual's mind has rebooted itself and has rewritten its code to go against that individual. They

wonder what can be done to retrieve the previous information that has been deleted. There have

been many attempts to treat mental illness dating back as early as 5000 BCE as evidenced by the

discovery of trephined skulls in regions that were home to ancient world cultures (Porter, 10).

Early man believed that mental illness was evil and was caused by a demonic or spiritual force

that could not be seen with the naked eye. Extreme methods, such as Trephining, first occurred
The Misconception of Mental Illness and The Stigmatism that Follows 2

during the Neolithic times. During this procedure, a hole, or trephine, was chipped into the skull

using crude stone instruments. It was believed that through this opening the evil spirit(s)

inhabited one’s head, causing their psychopathology. It would then be released and the

individual would be cured (Foerschner, 2010). Evidence has shown that individuals who

underwent this brutal procedure survived and, through the years, eventually healed. In ancient

Mesopotamia, priest-doctors treated the mentally ill with “magical-religious” rituals as mental

pathology was believed to mask demonic possession (Alexander, 19). Exorcisms, incantations,

prayer, atonement, and other various mystical rituals were used to drive out the evil spirit. Other

means attempted to appeal to the spirit with more human devices--threats, bribery, punishment,

and sometimes submission were hoped to be an effective cure (Alexander, 8). These ancient

methods represent how people did not have a sufficient amount of knowledge on what caused

mental illness nor the correct methods needed to approach people with mental illness.

Society often tends to avoid socializing or living with individuals who suffer from mental

illness because they assume that the individual is violent or dangerous. Society is accustomed to

encountering violence among the mentally ill, through movie depictions of crazed killers or real-

life dramas played out constantly on late night television. The media constantly showcases

violence among the mentally ill because society fears unpredictable acts of violence, and they

subconsciously affiliate it toward mental illness. The death of an individual that was stabbed

during a failed robbery is more reassuring than one by an insane killer. People fail to realize how

powerful the media is in altering the reality of the mentally ill being dangerous into something

much more sinister and downright degrading. As a result, the individual who has mental health

issues are often discriminated against in various situations and places such as a job, school,

housing, and social events or situations. Therefore, they have already been judged which hinders
The Misconception of Mental Illness and The Stigmatism that Follows 3

their ability to make impressive first impressions. This is the first issue that must be addressed in

order for the stigma and misconception to end.

One of the worst and most prevalent misconceptions when it comes to mental illness is

the “snap out of it” response. Society fails to realize the consequences that are associated with

this social stigma. Those who suffer from mental illness may feel ashamed to share their pain

and episodes with those who care about them because they do not want to be shunned. They may

be less likely to reach out for help because society has led them to believe that what they are

going through is all in their head. “There is a clear sense that the social stigmas emanating from

one’s peers and from society as a whole can cause sufferers to develop their own internal self-

inflicted stigmas as well”(Osorio). In most cases, they begin to believe that they are a burden to

their family and friends, or that it is their entire fault that they are the way that they are. This

issue needs to be addressed because mental illness should not be viewed as a “weakness” but

rather a condition that a person has that does not make them any less human than the rest of us.

The third most common misconception about mental illness is that those who have one

“fake” their symptoms. Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is

becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of

genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors, not personal weakness or a

character defect (Goldberg, 2012). Environmental factors that can contribute to mental illness

include trauma, emotional harm, and substance abuse. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse

during childhood all lead to an increase in the likelihood of developing a mental disorder. Highly

stressful home environments, loss of a loved one, and natural disasters are also major

contributors (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Experiencing a traumatic incident can result in psychological

changes. Bullying can relate to emotional harm because the victim suffers emotionally which can
The Misconception of Mental Illness and The Stigmatism that Follows 4

cause them to obtain a mental illness. Exposure to drugs and alcohol to females who are pregnant

can lead to a mental illness in the fetus, such as Fetal- Alcohol Syndrome, which leads to

physical, behavioral, and emotional abnormalities. Genetic, Environmental, Biological, and

Psychological factors must collaborate together in order for a mental illness to become present.

In order for the misconceptions and the stigma associated with mental illness to end we must

raise awareness of these issues and educate individuals on how to approach mental illness.

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