Essay about Mental Disorders

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Mental Illnesses and Their Stigma

Table Of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Definition Of A Mental Illness…………………………………………………………………….3
Understanding The Disorder……………………………………………………………………..3
Treatments……………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Example Of A Mental Disorder: Bipolar Disorder…………………………………….4/5
Definition Of Stigma……………………………………………………………………………………6
Discrimination, Prejudice, and Fear……………………………………………………..….6/7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
References…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….8

Introduction There is a large body of research into public conceptions of mental illnesses and disorders going back over 50 years (6). There has been a whopping 450 million documented cases. Discussion of mental illness is almost always certainly accompanied by strong emotions. These strong emotions are often the cause of a stigma; which often leads to fear, stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice. The absence of knowledge comes from the nonexistence of understanding towards mental illnesses.
Definition of a Mental Illness
A mental illness is considered to be a psychological or behavioral disorder, characterized by impairment of a person’s cognitive, emotional and mental capacity. If a person goes without treatment their mental problems can result in serve disadvantages. The condition can limit one’s ability to develop to their potential and can keep one from living their life dependently.
Understanding of the Disorders Mental illnesses, in their various intensities and types, are indeed beginning to be understood from a variety of viewpoints (4). Understanding and treatment of mental illness have come along way through out the centuries. In the middle Ages Christian teachings accredited mental and emotional abnormalities to magic or diabolical influences. The Enlightenment scholars rationalized that insanity was a physical condition, resulting from moral responsibility. In the 20th century psychoanalysis was developed, giving a deeper understanding of emotional illnesses. The U.K.’s Mental Health Act put mental problems into four different categories; mental illnesses, mental impairment, serve mental impairment, and psychopathic disorders (Roberts, 2009).
Treatments
There are various treatments of mental disorders; amongst them are medication, counseling, and psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists often apply psychotherapy, an interpersonal treatment, in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychoanalysis can be used to discover and deal with underlying psychological conflicts. The mixture of medication required to help deal with mental disorders include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, stimulants, and antipsychotics. In severe cases electroconvulsion therapy (ECT) may be necessary. Another crucial key in the treatment of mental disorders is peer support, self-help, and lifestyle changes.
Example Of A Mental Disorder: Bipolar Disorder One of the most common mental disorders is Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness (MDI); it’s also one of the most persistent and severe. Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of deep, prolonged, and profound depression that alternate with periods of an excessively elevated or irritable mood known as mania (Soreff, 2012). Mania exhibits decreased need for sleep, reckless behavior with no regard for consequences, increased libido, pressured speech, severe thought disturbances (may include psychosis), and grandiosity as symptoms. Bipolar disorder constitutes 1 pole of a spectrum of mood disorders that includes including bipolar I (BPI), bipolar II (BPII), cyclothymia (oscillating high and low moods), and major depression (Soreff, 2012). The pattern of highs and lows fluctuate from person to person; this is why bipolar disorder is such a complicated disease to diagnose. Some experience mania or depression that can last for weeks, months, or even years (rarely), but others experience
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