Introduction
In developing countries, mental health is currently regarded as a neglected issue. Mental health disorders can affect one out of every four people at some point in their lives, affecting their ability to function, behave, and think. Personal knowledge of the mental illness, knowing and engaging with someone with mental illness, public prejudice against mental illness, media coverage, and knowledge of past institutional practices and limitations influence attitudes and beliefs about mental illness. The role of language in society’s perceptions of mental illness is investigated by first exposing the language to the individual and his identity. I’ll look at how poverty affects mental health care, as well as the link between prison and mental illness. In addition, I’ll investigate various treatment options for mental illness.
Discuss the impact of language on the perception of mental illness. Compare person first and identity first language and explain which approach you think is better.
Impact of language on the perception of mental illness
It’s perhaps unsurprising that the health sector, which has been stigmatized for decades, has used discriminatory terminology in the past. Humans grew up in a society where terms like “crazy,” “schizo,” “moon,” and “crazy” were commonplace. Of course, stigma isn’t limited to mental health, but the extent to which stigma has infiltrated our lexicon compared to other illnesses is astounding. Many people believe that practice, not words, is essential. On the other hand, words serve as a barrier to receiving assistance and a motivation to accept prejudice. This can provide context for many people, trapping them in a vicious cycle of believing they are suffering from “something” they shouldn’t be suffering from — or, worse, that “something” defines them as second-class citizens of their community.
What exactly do words imply?
Many studies have contributed to a better understanding of how the human brain functions and the connections it makes in recent decades. Behavioral psychologists and economists, for example, divide human thinking into two “systems.”
“System 1”
It works automatically and quickly with little or no effort and deliberate control. For the time being, we’ll refer to it as our “Feely Brain.” Most of our daily activities are controlled by this part of our brain, which has learned to distinguish between the unexpected and the expected. It makes it easier to walk, read, and comprehend the complexities of social situations.
“System 2”
Diversify your attention to mentally taxing tasks that necessitate it. It’s referred to as the “mind-brain” in this country. This part of the brain represents our conscious reasoning selves, making decisions, performing complex mathematical calculations, and assisting us with more complicated tasks like parking and writing.
Unlike our Thinking Brain, which is still in its early stages (millennials), our Feely Brain has evolved over millions of years and contains an innate talent that humans and other animals share. It manages our daily lives by completing many complex relationships per minute in our human environment. Because our Thinking Brain is sluggish and doesn’t engage until stimulated, our Feely Brain usually directs our thinking. Our Feely brain is constantly on the lookout for simple causal connections (so that we can give the impression that what we first thought was true too).
Types of Words
When we understand the fundamental processes that activate words in our brains, we may decide to pay more attention to the words we use to express mental health. Words like “crazy” and “mental” are biased and should be avoided. Then some terms have evolved due to various situations and have become too emotional to be used in our current environment. Terms like “psychotic” and “neurotic” are now outdated and stigmatizing, just as we struggled to understand what “inbox,” “stop tracking,” and “selfie” meant ten years ago. Our vocabulary is evolving. The way we talk about mental illness in our neighborhoods is just as essential and evolving. Suicide is an excellent example of this. The term “suicide” is frequently used to describe someone who has committed suicide.
The term “commit” came into use when suicide was considered a crime and a sin. You’ve committed wrongdoing or sin. One of them isn’t suicide. Fortunately, it appears that we are on the verge of reaching a global (though not yet finalized) agreement on this topic.
It is much better to use phrases like “take your own life,” “end your own life,” or “stop killing yourself” because of the impact suicide can have on grieving family, friends, and coworkers. We say someone was “unsuccessful” in taking their own life when they attempt suicide and survive. We imply that we want someone to be “successful” when we say they are “unsuccessful.” There is a vital emotional component to our language.
Person first language
The language that starts with a person and then evolves into descriptions of a disability, medical condition (including mental health disorders), or other physical or cognitive differences is referred to as a person’s mother tongue. Like people with disabilities or little people, I-speech refers to people by using the term person (or people or people) as the first component. Of course, the terms used to designate a person, such as B. child, adult, sick person, or a term that denotes a person’s country, are usually more accurate. The term may also be used in identity languages, discussed in the next section. (First-person pronouns are I, I, we, and we; they are not confused with syntax and first-person literary words, which refer to the speaker or writer’s point of view.) A sentence that begins with a person’s description in the context of a disability, medical condition (including mental health disorders), or other physical or cognitive differences are referred to as first language identity.
Identity first language
Such labels can be disrespectful because they emphasize quality as the only thing that matters to a person. On the other hand, some people prefer such words because they believe the trait in question is an integral part of their identity, as evidenced using the term identity alongside the term. When it comes to relating to themselves, identity language is primarily seen as a way for people to express their pride in who they are and their participation in a community of like-minded people.
Person-first language is better since is widely accepted and promoted in medical and mental health settings, particularly given evidence that it improves health outcomes and decreases stigma. However, under certain circumstances or in people who believe that their condition is an integral part of their identity, the language of identity can be chosen.
Describe the perception of mental health, mental illness and treatment by different groups. Provide examples of at least three different groups.
In their study of ethnocultural beliefs and mental illness stigma, Abdullah et al. (2011) highlight the wide range of cultural attitudes toward mental health. Some Native American tribes, for example, do not stigmatize mental illness, while others stigmatize only certain mental illnesses, while still others stigmatize all mental illnesses. In Asia, where many cultures value “maintaining standards, emotional self-control, and family recognition through achievement,” mental illness is widely stigmatized and seen as a source of shame. However, other factors, such as the disease’s perceived etiology, may influence the stigma associated with mental illness. In a 2003 study, Chinese-Americans and European-Americans were shown a sketch of a person diagnosed with schizophrenia or major depressive disorder.
After that, participants were told that scientists had determined whether the person’s illness was “genetic,” “genetic,” or “non-genetic,” and they were asked to rate how they would feel if one of their children contracted the disease. Sketch, marry, or reproduce a Genetic object mapping of mental illness reduced the likelihood of Chinese-Americans marrying and reproducing while increasing the same rate in European-Americans, confirming previous findings of cultural differences in mental illness stigma patterns.
Several studies have found significant differences in attitudes toward mental illness among ethnic groups in the United States. Carpenter-Song et al. (2010) conducted an 18-month ethnographic study in Hartford, Connecticut, of 25 people with severe mental illness. European-Americans are more likely to seek mental health treatment and have beliefs about mental illness like a biological disease. African Americans and Latinos, on the other hand, favor “non-biomedical interpretations” of mental illness symptoms. Even though participants from all three ethnic groups said they had been stigmatized because of their mental health, stigma was a central theme in African American comments, but not so much in European American comments.
While European Americans consider psychiatric drugs “essential and vital” to treatment, African Americans are dissatisfied with mental health providers’ drug-focused approach.
Furthermore, Latin American participants frequently viewed a job diagnosis as “possibly very socially dangerous,” preferring to label their mental health problem as nervous, which was perceived as less stigmatizing. Because African Americans and Hispanics are much less likely than European Americans to seek and receive mental health care, addressing possible cultural factors contributing to this use pattern can help raise mental awareness.
Discuss the impact of poverty on mental health treatment and the connection between incarceration and mental illness.
Impact of poverty on mental health treatment
Children and families living in poverty face various obstacles that limit their ability to seek mental health services, stick to treatment plans, and achieve positive treatment outcomes. Families in rural areas may be required to travel long distances to receive mental health treatment. Furthermore, due to a lack of insurance or some “limit” and volume of mental health services provided under a managed care plan, children and families may be unable to receive necessary mental health therapy. Inequalities in access to mental health care are also a result of most mental health organizations’ standard practice. Since clinic hours are more frequent during the day, people working low-paying shifts may not have the flexibility to attend scheduled weekly psychiatric visits during office hours regularly. A one-hour wait in a mental hospital is not uncommon, and therapy usually requires multiple visits.
The daily pressures and responsibilities of poverty can make it difficult for families to meet their mental health needs, exacerbating the problem. Families who are poor face additional social and psychological challenges. Because families are prevented from receiving help, the stigma associated with mental health care and the shame associated with poverty can lead to self-blame and self-loathing. As a result, many families are wary of the mental health care system, fearing that identifying mental health issues will lead to hospitalization, over-care, or the separation of children from their families. Instead, families may rely on their coping skills or the support of family and friends, who may be resistant to formal mental health treatment.
Incarceration and mental illness
Studies have shown that incarceration is linked to mood disorders like major depression and bipolar disorder, though it varies from person to person. Solitary confinement is inherently harmful to mental health because it isolates people from society and deprives them of the meaning and purpose of their lives. Furthermore, the harsh conditions expected in prisons and jails, such as overcrowding, isolation, and the use of force regularly, can have far-reaching consequences.
Disconnection from families
Psychologists have long known that people with strong social support and strong family ties are happier. Separation from family and friends was identified as a significant stressor for inmates in a 2015 assessment of the mental health impact of prisons; it is also linked to psychological complaints. Indeed, many people claim that saying goodbye to a loved one was the most challenging part of their incarceration.
Loss of purpose and autonomy
Prisoners have little control over their daily lives, including when they wake up, what they eat, how much work they do, and how much free time they have. This can make you feel helpless and reliant on others.
Discuss three different treatment approaches that are used to treat mental illnesses.
Medications
Psychiatric medications cannot cure mental illness, but they can often help alleviate symptoms. Psychotropic drugs may be beneficial in other therapies, such as psychotherapy. Your unique circumstances and your body’s response will determine the best medication for you. The following are some of the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications:
Antidepressants are a type of medication that is used to treat depression. Antidepressants are prescription medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. They can assist with sadness, depression, fatigue, poor concentration, and a loss of interest in activities. Antidepressants have no addictive properties.
Anti-anxiety medications treats anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. They may also aid in the reduction of anxiety and insomnia. Long-term anti-anxiety medications are frequently antidepressants, which also treat anxiety. Fast-acting anxiety medications provide immediate relief, but they are addictive and should be used only for a short period.
Mood stabilizers medications are most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, marked by alternating periods of mania and depression. Antidepressants are sometimes combined with mood stabilizers to treat depression.
Antipsychotic medications are frequently used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Antipsychotics can also treat bipolar disorder and depression when combined with antidepressants.
Psychotherapy
A conversation with a mental health professional about your illness and the difficulties it causes is known as psychotherapy or talk therapy. You learn about your condition and your emotions, feelings, ideas, and behaviors during psychotherapy. Using the insights and information you receive, you can develop techniques for managing and managing stress. There are many different types of psychotherapy, each approaching mental health improvement. Although psychotherapy can usually be completed in a few months, long-term treatment may be required in some cases. This can be done alone, with a group, or with family members. When selecting a therapist, you must remain calm and confident that they will listen to and understand your concerns. Your therapist should also be aware of the events in your life that have shaped who you are and how you live in the world.
Brain-stimulation treatments
Depression and other mental health issues are sometimes treated with stimulation therapy. They’re usually used when other treatments and psychotherapy have failed. Some treatments include electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulations, deep brain stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation. Make sure you understand all the risks and benefits of any therapy you’re thinking about.
Conclusion
In other words, the language we use impacts how we think about mental illness. The language was chosen because it improves the population’s well-being while reducing stigma. Different cultures have different attitudes toward mental illness, which impacts whether people seek help. Poverty can be seen as limiting one’s ability to seek treatment and their desire to do so. There are numerous approaches to treating mental illness that should all be utilized to improve mental health of the society.
References
Gopalkrishnan, N. (2018). Cultural diversity and mental health: Considerations for policy and practice. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 179.
Greene, L. M. (2020). Effects of Opinions on Personal Mental Illness Perception.
Grob, G. N. (2019). Mental Illness and American Society, 1875-1940. Princeton University Press.
Gross, J. J., Uusberg, H., & Uusberg, A. (2019). Mental illness and well‐being: an affect regulation perspective. World Psychiatry, 18(2), 130-139.
Hall, D., Lee, L. W., Manseau, M. W., Pope, L., Watson, A. C., & Compton, M. T. (2019). Major mental illness as a risk factor for incarceration. Psychiatric Services, 70(12), 1088-1093.
Marcussen, K., Gallagher, M., & Ritter, C. (2019). Mental illness as a stigmatized identity. Society and Mental Health, 9(2), 211-227.
Mohan, G. (2021). The impact of household energy poverty on the mental health of parents of young children. Journal of Public Health.
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