Mental Illness: Stigma & Social Impact

This assignment delves into the complex issue of mental illness stigma and its profound influence on individuals and society. It examines various cultural beliefs, values, and norms that contribute to stigma, exploring how these perceptions shape attitudes towards mental health conditions. The assignment also analyzes the social consequences of stigma, including discrimination, isolation, and barriers to seeking help. Furthermore, it considers diverse perspectives on mental illness treatment and explores strategies for reducing stigma and promoting greater understanding and acceptance.

HOW MIGHT MENTAL ILLNESS
BE CONSIDERED A SOCIAL
CONSTRUCT?

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Mental illness is also called as mental disorder which is actually a psychiatric problem
that is basically a behavioural change (Abdullah and Brown, 2011). Mental illness might be
causing some kind of suffering in their personal life problems or even at times poor ability to
function in life. These features can be persistent in nature and would be relapsing and even
remitting which could occur in a single episode of time. In this report, there has been a
discussion about the way in which mental illness can be useful as a social construct. This type of
illness has certain impacts on the society which is explained in this report. There are also some
sociological paradigms like functionalism and conflict theory which are explained in this report.
TASK
Mental illnesses are simple behaviours which are not considered to be socially
acceptable. That is why this mental disorder should be considered as a social construct. Since till
date the terms like crazy, mad, mental demented and so on are used as a casual insult rather than
real official medical term (Barnes and Mercer, 2010). These are basically considered as those
problems in which there is this type of illnesses would be simply connected with the family
backgrounds or defects in the genes which leaves the family of the patient to be in great loss and
sorrow. Therefore, such disease is basically hidden from the society and not really acceptable by
them. Thus it is not socially constructed and need to be done . Also, diagnosing the problem and
solving issue is the major threat and due to lack of knowledge, they could inot provide proper
medical treatment but try to socially and ethically improve their conditions. People that do not
behave well or in a proper way are considered to be mentally unfit or not well which can be cast
out from the society and considered as a misfit.
With time this has been proves that there are various cases which suggest proper analysis
if every type of cases of mental illness problem. In nineteenth century, there was a rise which is
seen in the recognition for new form of illness that is considered as madness. With this, there is
also a rise in hospital and asylums. But this does not mean that only mental patients are kept in
these asylums but anyone who seem to be deviant are prone to go to such a place. In these mental
care centres, madness is considered as a tool for social control which would help the authorities
to safeguard the country's economy. Function of these asylums are mould into some categories
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which can be mould into some specific purposes which would imitates some socially approved
matters.
If we take an example of ADHD. Then Timimi try to speak about condition where it has
been diagnosed very frequently within these 10 years (Hankivsky, 2012). He speaks for this and
argues about the fact that for considering any one a normal child their childhood behaviour
would be monitored by health experts like any psychiatrists. This would basically help them to
solve any issue which might rise in the early stage of their livings. They actually have a belief
which says that for leading to a particular type of childhood which is basically normal and
balanced and totally fit for the society these labelled disorders and problems need to be sorted
out at early stage so that it can be easily removed. They are thus labelled under the name ADHD
and worked in progress of improving it to whichever extent is possible.
Doctors basically suggest that there can be various methods by which these disorders can
be treated and bio-medically solved. These problems can be solved by knowing the actual cause
behind it which might be the genetic makeup of any individual or it can also be biomedical basis
of a person with no true evidence. All these are socially constructed problems which give
explanation to every child who might be exhibiting behaviours which is from learn from the
outside atmosphere.
Mental illness is basically seen now as problem which is being ignored and that includes
calling that person as a psych . They are been laughed about and not considered as genuine or
normal personality. People that have been considered as mental in the past years and now just a
new age cool that may be working on the fashionable therapy buffs (Jakupcak, 2010).
This topic can have another perspective also where people would feel that this type of
social illness is not really considered as a social construct. However, many of the views can be
contradicted and conflicts might arise. A socially deliberate condition that has been coming up
has turned the situation into a life threatening condition without treatment. People who are
desperately in need of such treatment should opt for it while those people who might not want
any medication from these firms, they should not be forced to.
In nineteenth century, there is scene of barbaric treatment for any one which demand for
an odd or strange cause. People where actually picked up from different location and forcible
locked up in the asylums for carrying any esoteric and suspicious reasons. Psychology has
basically come a long way since then. There can be many means of measuring of chemical
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imbalances where serotonin level is the basic example. There can still be at times which is
detectable physical symptoms for mental disease. All these disease are actually known for
carrying out mental and physical elements to be carried out properly. These diseases are
considered to be psychosomatic where actually any physical features related to this disease
which is occurred due to psychological emerge without there being any medical reasoning are
considered as an important issue which need to be considered (Kaschak and Tiefer, 2014).
Usually in a general context, there would be a different mental health perspective and
mind-set which can cause to other people by these type of people with such illness at times. .
There can be individuals at times when they may feel that they would not be able to function
well without proper treatment. There might be fundamental similarity among human cultures
rather than in a fundamental truth which speaks about the existence of mental illness.
Social systems are not changing drastically over time in centuries and yet the concept of
mental illness can be at least considered for those people which may behave in an odd way and
whose mind sets are actually working in the same manner like that of others and pretty much
existing in some form or another. This fact does not require people to be in the same culture or
something but there can be several cultures which might be different from each other and there is
some correlation in the mind faults which could relate one person to another..
Mental health profession is a noble profession which is missed out of evolution with the
postmodern perception and also with the linguistic paradigm which is now in philosophy, history
and social science. The exception to this is that their consultation is required and essentially
needed. From this report, it has been analysed that implementation of recovery model which has
been in priority for most common mental health agencies is a community issue. The recovery
model is a great advantage for advancement in the movement towards self-determination,
empowerment and even independence (Walker, (2006)). Another purpose for taking this topic
is to bring light to these medical and psychological models which would be alive and well
behaved in concluding recovery programs in a way which might be thought of speaking of
essential truths.
According to Walker , it has been stated that the incidence of psychopathy among CEO
which consist of 4% which is four times of what it holds with the population at large. All these
reports and matters as discussed lead to the wealth of person as celebrated if it claims on DSS
line then the person would get stunned. Foundation of stigma of mental illness is basically
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dependant on convenient house of delusion that are the concepts and terms which come with
regularities and also it enter into the real scenario. It basically describes that behaviour which is
used to classify mental illness will be normally spectrum of emotions and the actions that can be
expected from other person's experiences.
Functionalism. A functionalist perspective is basically known as functionalism which is
the major and strong perception in sociology. It has been originated by the works of Emile
Durkheim, one who is very much interested in how social order is basically possible and how
this society would remain relatively stable in every type of tough conditions. This concept is
actually contributing to the stability of whole society which holds more than one part and every
section is functional for carrying out stability of the whole process. Every part plays an important
role and as an individual; all are required for maintaining the stability of whole process. All
people are playing necessary part in the field and their function is essential for accomplishing the
goals
Conflict theory: This theory states that tension and problems which arise due to
resources, status and power might be unevenly distributed among groups in the society and
causes these conflicts to become source for the environment to change. Power is actually
considered as control of the material resources and their accumulated wealth and even control of
politics which do influence a lot of factors in the society issues (Keyes, Dhingra and Simoes,
2010). All these institution that do make up these points come under one roof would be
considering social status which are relative to others and other factors like race, gender,
sexuality, culture and religion also.
Symbolic Interaction: This is a sociological view which is required to be developed in
the middle of twentieth century and it tends to continue to be influential in various areas of
discipline. This would be particularly important in subjects like micro sociology and even in
social psychology. This is basically an American theory which is developed from practical
possibilities and considerations. All this would be alludes and people might be particularly
utilizing some dialect for making of images or even normal implications which are used for
deduction and carrying out correspondence with others (Lysaker, 2013). Majorly, their
interactive research is based on qualitative analysis and collection of data through participant
observation and all.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been analysed that mental illness is basically based on
behavioural feature for a person which might not be considered as sane or good in context with
medical terms. Usually these problems are very minute and need to be solved with lot of patience
and care. In this report, there is a discussion about whether this mental disorder can be
considered as a social construct or not. There are various theories which basically support the
concept of constructing this issue with social cause and still, there are some theories which
speaks against the motion. Also, in this report, here are some other definitions which are
explained that is functionality concept, conflict theory as well as symbolic interpretation. There
are some steps suggested by doctors or even philosopher for solving the issues from basic level
that is in early stages.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Abdullah, T. and Brown, T.L., 2011. Mental illness stigma and ethnocultural beliefs, values, and
norms: An integrative review. Clinical psychology review. 31(6). pp.934-948.
Barnes, C. and Mercer, G., 2010. Exploring disability. Polity.
Hankivsky, O., 2012. Women’s health, men’s health, and gender and health: Implications of
intersectionality. Social science & medicine. 74(11). pp.1712-1720.
Jakupcak, M., 2010. Does PTSD moderate the relationship between social support and suicide
risk in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans seeking mental health treatment?. Depression
and anxiety. 27(11). pp.1001-1005.
Kaschak, E. and Tiefer, L., 2014. A new view of women's sexual problems (Vol. 24, No. 1-2).
Routledge.
Keyes, C.L., Dhingra, S.S. and Simoes, E.J., 2010. Change in level of positive mental health as a
predictor of future risk of mental illness. American Journal of Public Health. 100(12).
pp.2366-2371.
Lysaker, P.H., 2013. Social cognition and metacognition in schizophrenia: evidence of their
independence and linkage with outcomes. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 127(3).
pp.239-247.
Mackelprang, R.W. and Salsgiver, R., 2016. Disability: A diversity model approach in human
service practice. Oxford University Press.
Pescosolido, B.A., Boyer, C.A. and Medina, T.R., 2013. The social dynamics of responding to
mental health problems. In Handbook of the sociology of mental health (pp. 505-524).
Springer Netherlands.
Vandereycken, W., 2011. Media hype, diagnostic fad or genuine disorder? Professionals'
opinions about night eating syndrome, orthorexia, muscle dysmorphia, and emetophobia.
Eating disorders. 19(2). pp.145-155.
Watkins, D.C., Walker, R.L. and Griffith, D.M., 2010. A meta-study of Black male mental health
and well-being. Journal of black psychology. 36(3). pp.303-330.
Online
Rethink mental illness. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.rethink.org/diagnosis-
treatment>. [Accesses on 24th August 2017].
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