Before beginning this activity, reflect on the following questions: What comes to mind when you hear the terms attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder? How about bipolar disorder? Most likely, you automatically think of characteristics or stereotypes associated with those disorders. Maybe you know someone with one of the disorders, or you yourself have one of them. Now, what comes to mind when you think of high blood pressure or diabetes? Which type of disorder do you think is worse—a psychological disorder or a health-related disorder?
Despite many decades of research on psychological disorders, false beliefs about mental illness continue to persist (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Compared to most health-related disorders, mental illness is often associated with stigma, or negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have mental health disorders. Stigma, in turn, can lead to discrimination.
Question
1
Conduct an online search of stigmas associated with mental illness. List five negative outcomes or harmful effects associated with such stigmas. Include the URL of any websites you use to answer this question.
Question
2
Using research in Chapter 14 as a guide, which psychological disorders do you think carry the most stigma, and why?
Using research in Chapter 14 as a guide, which psychological disorders do you think carry the most stigma, and why?
Question
3
How might stigma surrounding mental illness affect an afflicted individual’s willingness to seek treatment?
Question
4
One way to “normalize” mental illness is to show the public that people with psychological disorders are not violent, crazy, untreatable, or unemployable. To illustrate how common psychological disorders are, look up two famous people—alive or deceased—who were diagnosed with some type of mental illness. Make sure to include the URLs of all used to answer the questions below. a. Name each individual and indicate the mental disorder that he or she has/had. b. Look up and briefly summarize a common treatment for each disorder listed above.
One way to “normalize” mental illness is to show the public that people with psychological disorders are not violent, crazy, untreatable, or unemployable. To illustrate how common psychological disorders are, look up two famous people—alive or deceased—who were diagnosed with some type of mental illness. Make sure to include the URLs of all used to answer the questions below. a. Name each individual and indicate the mental disorder that he or she has/had.b. Look up and briefly summarize a common treatment for each disorder listed above.
Question
5
Do you think that celebrities who go public with their mental health problems help to reduce stigma and discrimination? Why or why not?
Question
6
According to your textbook, a psychological disorder refers to a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more important areas of life, or both. However, when a psychological disorder is diagnosed, it is also important to consider
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Question
7
Mathias experiences persistent, chronic, and unreasonable worry and anxiety. He is stressed out about school, work, his family, his future, and even his choices in the past. His anxiety seems stable across settings—for example, he feels anxious in class, at home, and when surrounded by family and friends. According to your textbook, Mathias likely has
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D.
Mathias experiences persistent, chronic, and unreasonable worry and anxiety. He is stressed out about school, work, his family, his future, and even his choices in the past. His anxiety seems stable across settings—for example, he feels anxious in class, at home, and when surrounded by family and friends. According to your textbook, Mathias likely has
Question
8
In media accounts and in casual conversation, a person with ______ is often mistakenly described as having “a split personality.”
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Question
9
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) study revealed that 59 percent of Americans with the symptoms of a mental disorder received no treatment during the past year. Of those who did receive treatment, who provided it?
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) study revealed that 59 percent of Americans with the symptoms of a mental disorder received no treatment during the past year. Of those who did receive treatment, who provided it?
Among the 41 percent of Americans who did receive some kind of treatment, it was usually provided by a general medical practitioner, psychiatrist, or mental health specialist. However, the treatment provided was often inadequate and fell short of established treatment guidelines.