Struggles Of Mental Illness
Struggles of Mental Illness
Having a chronic illness or condition and being different from the general population subjects a person to possible stigmatization by those who do not have the illness (Joachim & Acron, 2000).
Stigma is a negative stereotype. For persons with mental illness, stigma is one of the greatest barrier to complete and satisfying life.
Mentally ill individuals are seen as being dangerous, violent and unpredictable. As a result of this view, the mentally ill are stereotyped, discriminated against, refused health insurance, jobs and independent living in pursuit of goals, difficulty keeping friends and even family members which also result in their low-self esteem. For this reason as well persons who may suspect that they …show more content…
It gets even more complicated when family members, society and friends reject them, leaving them to flight the challenges of life being discriminated and stigmatized for a condition they didn't ask for. During my work experience, I met a highly qualified Accountant diagnosed with having Bipolar disorder for 45 years. He remained in constant denial which resulted in his non- compliance with his medication and having to be hospitalized for his several relapses. Despite, doing extremely well at his job when he was well, employees got frustrated, and with any signs of a possible relapse, sometimes work stress related, was eager to dismiss him in fear of him exhibiting any aggressive or violent behaviour. He complained on several occasions that workers would not talk to him outside work related conditions. Fortunately for him, he eventually found a understanding employer who also had personal closeness with a friend who was also mentally Ill. With her understanding and sympathy to the situation, she decided to work with the patient, aiming for positive mental health. He was given conditions under which he had to maintain in order to keep his job. Some of these condition meant showing prove of hospital clinic or Doctors appointment. He battled his condition with the help of family members who neglected him, yes because of his mental condition but also because of his confident "cocky attitude" that he tried to portray as his means of self defence to mask his internalized low self esteem. He would however express to the hospital team who became his family, a feeling of being lonely and the lack there of understanding the struggles of trying to be accepted and to live a normal quality life. Although being stigmatized of having a mental illness, the issue of discrimination and internalized low self-esteem significantly affected him to
Having a chronic illness or condition and being different from the general population subjects a person to possible stigmatization by those who do not have the illness (Joachim & Acron, 2000).
Stigma is a negative stereotype. For persons with mental illness, stigma is one of the greatest barrier to complete and satisfying life.
Mentally ill individuals are seen as being dangerous, violent and unpredictable. As a result of this view, the mentally ill are stereotyped, discriminated against, refused health insurance, jobs and independent living in pursuit of goals, difficulty keeping friends and even family members which also result in their low-self esteem. For this reason as well persons who may suspect that they …show more content…
It gets even more complicated when family members, society and friends reject them, leaving them to flight the challenges of life being discriminated and stigmatized for a condition they didn't ask for. During my work experience, I met a highly qualified Accountant diagnosed with having Bipolar disorder for 45 years. He remained in constant denial which resulted in his non- compliance with his medication and having to be hospitalized for his several relapses. Despite, doing extremely well at his job when he was well, employees got frustrated, and with any signs of a possible relapse, sometimes work stress related, was eager to dismiss him in fear of him exhibiting any aggressive or violent behaviour. He complained on several occasions that workers would not talk to him outside work related conditions. Fortunately for him, he eventually found a understanding employer who also had personal closeness with a friend who was also mentally Ill. With her understanding and sympathy to the situation, she decided to work with the patient, aiming for positive mental health. He was given conditions under which he had to maintain in order to keep his job. Some of these condition meant showing prove of hospital clinic or Doctors appointment. He battled his condition with the help of family members who neglected him, yes because of his mental condition but also because of his confident "cocky attitude" that he tried to portray as his means of self defence to mask his internalized low self esteem. He would however express to the hospital team who became his family, a feeling of being lonely and the lack there of understanding the struggles of trying to be accepted and to live a normal quality life. Although being stigmatized of having a mental illness, the issue of discrimination and internalized low self-esteem significantly affected him to