Mental Illness Research Papers

As defined by experts, a mental illness is a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and involves changes in thinking, emotion, behavior, interpersonal interactions, daily functioning, or a combination. The causes of mental illness are complex and vary depending on the theories associated to the different biological, psychological, and environmental factors. The etiology of mental illness is based on five broad models: biological, psychological, behavioral, cognitive, and social.

The effects of self-stigma can lead to a lack of self esteem, lack of confidence, isolation and the increased likelihood of avoiding professional help for their illness. This then has an over all affect on quality of life and where one sees themselves fitting within society (Barney, Griffiths, Jorm & Christensen, 2005; Griffiths & Christensen, 2004; Newell & Gournay, 2000).

Mental illness is a condition that exists in our society more than people think. There are different types of mental illnesses and each condition affects people differently. Mental illnesses can be treated with medication, therapy and sometimes other methods that can be more extreme like shock therapy. Sometimes people are treated in a hospital and sometimes people can stay at home and get treated by their family doctor, Psychiatrist and/or therapist. Mental illness not only affects the people who have the condition. It also affects that person’s family and friends. One

What is a mental disorder? A mental disorder is an illness that affects a person’s cognitive thinking, behavior, and mood. There are numbers of different mental disorders from depression to psychosis. Different mental disorders affect people differently; mostly, in negative ways. However, if a person is labeled as mentally disabled, the patient usually gets medical treatment.

The stigma surrounding mental illnesses is one of the reasons why we have so many problems with mental illnesses. According to www.merriam-webster.com, the definition of illness is, "a condition of being unhealthy in your body or mind; a specific condition that prevents your body or mind from working normally" People with mental health problems are continually being brought down for doing what they do and having what they have. You can't help being depressed, the same way you can't help having cancer. Sure there are ways to prevent mental health problems, the same way there are ways to prevent physical health problems, but totally disregarding people who claim to have mental health problems is the

To understand what mental illness is you have to know what it means. Mental health is the state of our well-being. Mental health has to do with the mind. According to thefreedictionary.com mental health is “a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life”. Mental illness are behavioral, psychological, and emotional disorders that effect the mind. Mental illness is not something that should be avoided. There many different types of mental illnesses. There are also mental healthcare services that can help people with their mental illnesses.

A mental disorder is defined as, a condition indicated by a notable disruption in a person's cognitive, emotional, or behavioral ability that projects deviance in intellectual, biotic, or educational actions repressing psychiatric functions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Furthermore, the American Psychiatric Association (2013), has five distinct classifications for mental health conditions, including: (a) impairments of the brain and nervous system, (b) interior illnesses, (c) exterior illnesses, (d) neurological cognitive impairments, and (e) further disorders, which cause discrepancies in one’s, however it does not fulfill all diagnostic standards. A mental health condition is not a reaction to ordinary aggravations or bereavements.

A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that may cause suffering or a poor ability to function in life. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitting, or occur as a single episode. Many disorders have been described, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders. Such disorders may be diagnosed by a mental health professional. The causes of mental disorders are often unclear. Theories may incorporate findings from a range of fields. Mental disorders are usually defined by a combination of how a person behaves, feels, perceives, or thinks. According to scientists, the environment that a person lives in affects their mental health and may cause

This is due in large part to the stigma surrounding mental health as a whole. The Oxford Dictionary definition of stigma is, “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” However, stigma can carry a much deeper meaning than the one listed in the dictionary to those who suffer from mental illness. People are often uncomfortable when the topic of mental illness arises, and so they turn the other cheek. This can leave sufferers feeling as if they have nowhere to turn, not even to their family or close friends. Fear of the reaction they may receive is enough to keep them quiet, and this is why stigma kills. A

Mental illness can be defined as mental health conditions that affect how you act, your thinking, and the way you behave (mayoclinic.org). Some examples of these types of disorders include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD (etc.) In previous generations, it was believed by many that mental illness was made up just as a way to make people feel bad for people suffering from these illnesses or as an excuse for some of their behaviors. Some individuals have and still believe that the only valid illnesses are those that are physical, such as cancer. As ridiculous as these claims sound, the stigmas underlying in the topic of mental illness still exist today, even after countless means of awareness, such as Bell Let’s Talk. Another aspect

There are many stigmas, or misconceptions and misperceptions in our society which need to be shattered. I believe that one of the worse possible effects of stigma is that it causes those affected by psychological disorders, or mental illness, to crawl more deeply into themselves because it provokes a sense of shame. Stigma thrusts those suffering with mental illness into a sense of isolation, social exclusion, and discrimination. “Stigma can lead to discrimination … It may be obvious or direct … Or it may be unintentional or subtle…” (Staff). Stigma is often as big as the illness itself and I confess to having been a perpetuator of this dreaded thing, although not consciously aware and without the intent of furthering the harm of someone.

Imagine a world where a third of the human population suffered from the same type of illness. Imagine a world where the government does little to help those who suffer from this terrible illness. Imagine a world where nobody acknowledged the pain and suffering that comes along with this illness. This is, unfortunately, the world we live in today. The illness is not one that others notice, but it can have terrible consequences to those who suffer from it. The type of illness are the ones that plague people mentally.

In the most recent decades, mental disorders have entered to the medical model just as any other physical disease. If a person starts hearing voices, suffers from certain paranoia, or feels like is falling into a depression, he or she can call a specialist and take care of those symptoms just as back pain or a flu. However, mental disorders are not only permanent incurable, such as most of the physical illnesses, but they are susceptible for any stigmatization for people diagnosed with any mental condition. Therefore, a mental impaired individual suffers from the illness, and the reaction from the people around him or her being double condemned for their condition. In other words, they are double stigmatized. Nevertheless, social factors also

We all have encountered someone that made us wonder or ponder a little. Did we give a split second that maybe the person is suffering from a mental illness or disorder? According to the text, mental illness and disorder are not two totally different concepts; however, are often used interchangeably. A mental disorder is a change in a person’s way of thinking and emotion that obstructs the person’s ability to do day to day activities. Mental illness is the disease concept of the brain that incapable a person from performing day to day activities. Usually, people are not hospitalized for having mental illness even though some of them may be severe. I believe the distinction between the two is important because each type has its own special way

age demographics and all areas of the world that struggle with at least one mental illness. The unfortunate part of this fact is that there is also a large amount of stigma surrounding mental illnesses which causes mental illness patients to feel alone and unable seek needed help. Most of this stigma is due to a lack of education and understanding of mental illnesses. This ignorance is what creates the majority of negative connotations related to mental illnesses. But what would happen if our society had the opportunity to become more educated about mental illnesses? It is important to educate people about mental illness stigma in order to prevent discrimination and prejudice.