Social Isolation and Mental Illness
Think about what it would be like to spend most of your time alone because being around other people is just too difficult. You feel that others are judging you for your mental illness, and so you are scared to face the world. You withdraw to avoid this stigmatization. This social withdrawal is emotionally very costly. But this is a two-way street -- the mentally ill withdraw from society--society withdraws from them.An Australian survey reported that two-thirds of people affected by a mental illness feel lonely "often" or "all of the time". The research says in contrast, just 10 per cent of the general population reported feelings of loneliness.
Severe Psychiatric Disabilities and Employment
There are many people with common neurotic anxiety disorders who continue to work despite their condition, depending on severity. However, people with more serious psychiatric disabilities such as schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder, often drop out of the workplace when their mental condition reaches a critical level. Those with such severe psychiatric disabilities usually have difficulty just trying to get through the day! Without being able to work, they often deplete their assets and must either rely on government programs for assistance, if they can qualify, or may have nowhere to live unless family or friends will take them in.
Movies Stigmatize Mentally Ill as Violent and Dangerous
Think of popular movies you have seen which portray someone who is mentally ill. Often the fictional character is violent, dangerous and scary. You may not have thought of that portrayal as stigmatizing to the mentally ill, but after viewing a movie with a homicidal maniac or other violent psychotic involved, consider the effect on the stereotypical beliefs about the mentally ill on families of the mentally ill, legislators, or the patient themselves?Here are some notable examples of movies sensationalizing homicidal maniacs
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