Treating Mental Issues Without Stigma

Stigma /ˈstiɡmə/ Noun 1- a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. 2- a mark of shame or discredit Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonor Mental illness /ˈmen(t)l ˈilnəs/ Compound 1- health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these 2- behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning Synonyms: mental disorder, psychiatric disorder There are a multitude of psychiatric disorders that plague an even bigger multitude of people throughout the world. Some of the most common mental disorders include clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and others. Classification of a few disorders as “psychiatric”, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is contested by some experts in the field who argue such disorders should be categorized as “neurobiological”. While pathophysiology of such disorders supports their categorization as neurological as opposed to psychiatric, the outward symptoms presented by people with disorders like ASD are psychiatric in nature. People suffering from mental illnesses are very often on the receiving end of discrimination and stigma from the society. The sad and less-understood aspect of this social stigma is its origin; the root of discrimination people with mental disorders are subjected to are not “bad people” – rather, it is the lack of understanding and, for the lack of a better word, ignorance. People most often aren’t even aware of their stigmatizing behaviour against patients of mental disorders. Here’s a hypothetical scenario: You are walking around in the Costco and there’s a 25-year old man making “strange” and “funny” noises. How often would our first instinct be to move away and to tell our young children to “not look at him”. I, like most people, have been guilty of such discriminating behaviour in the past. I understand the need to “protect(?)” our children, but someone making incoherent noises does not, and should not, be assumed to be ‘dangerous’. Another example of where many of us are unwitting contributors towards the stigma would be with a socially-awkward 20-year old; how long after meeting them does our tone turn exponentially patronizing and condescending without us even realizing? We often, unintentionally, bridge weak social skills to low intellect. This type of behaviour is prevalent when interacting with people diagnosed with ASD (specifically Asperger’s syndrome) and Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD). ADD and ADHD are characterized by the inability to focus, sit still or inhibit behavior, organize, control impulses, and delay gratification – all these symptoms culminate into the patient often being described as “annoying” and someone who “has had too much sugar/ coffee”, and other colorful phrases like these. While such descriptors are said in jest and appear harmless enough, quiet often, they may affect the patient’s psyche to a varying degree. So why have we become so insensitive and rude without even realizing it? While there are several factors that are major contributors towards the social stigma against patients with a mental disorder, perhaps the biggest is media. Many studies have found that media and the entertainment industry play a key role in shaping public opinions about mental health and illness. People with mental health conditions are often depicted as dangerous, violent and unpredictable. News stories that sensationalize violent acts by a person with a mental health condition are typically featured as headline news; while there are far fewer articles or shows that feature stories of recovery or positive news concerning similar individuals. Entertainment frequently features negative images and stereotypes about mental health conditions, and these portrayals have been strongly linked to the development of fears and misunderstanding. Going back to the 25-year old in Costco, him appearing ‘dangerous’ may be (most likely is) a direct consequence of absorbing too many movies or TV shows where people diagnosed with a mental disorder are more likely to be a serial killer than they are of suffering from Tourette’s syndrome or Thought disorder – both psychiatric conditions characterized by vocal tics and disorganized speech, respectively. The stigma of mental health is especially pronounced among the Muslim population. I have seen people being told to “pray more” for treating clinically diagnosed depression. And while spiritual practices such as praying have been linked with aiding in a speedier recovery, the idea of only praying for complete treatment of a mental disorder is, in simple words, unrealistically optimistic. That is akin to asking patients suffering from cancer to forgo chemotherapy and rely solely on prayers for a full recovery. Even though possible, the chances of that happening are minimal. Psychiatric disorders, like other conditions like cancers, have physiological roots, and aren’t just “in the head”, as I’ve been told before. This, by no means, is to suggest that prayers don’t work; they most definitely do, but like someone with back pain would take Advil or some other pain medicine for relief along with praying, treating mental illnesses would also require medicine or counselling. We must start contributing against the growing paranoia and the social stigma that plagues mentally ill individuals. And believe it or not, it’s not that difficult. Understanding how we can be a positive influence towards eradicating the discrimination requires only an open-mind and patience. Start by accepting that mental and psychiatric disorders are genuine, life-altering conditions that requires proper treatment. If you see someone who is socially awkward, be patient; converse with them like you would normally, and don’t call them out. If you hear someone making noises deemed socially abnormal, don’t avoid them and don’t be scared; the chances of them being ‘homicidal’ are astronomically low. If your children are afraid and judgemental towards someone obviously suffering from a mental disorder, sit them down and talk to them. Finally, perhaps the most important way we can all try and be willing participants in the struggle to end the discrimination is by not being judgemental. O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. Surah Al Hujurat (49:11)