Introduction to Mental Illness and Stigma

Introduction to key themes: Definition of mental illness, psychological disorders, and stigma associated with them.
Overview of individuals with psychological disorders, noting that names and details have been changed for privacy.
Emphasis on the commonality of experiencing symptoms of mental illness among individuals, including oneself, stating that everyone may occasionally feel emotions like depression, anxiety, paranoia, and fear.

Mental Health vs Mental Illness:
- Not a strict dichotomy but rather a continuum of experiences.
- Visual representation in Figure 15.1 illustrating this continuum.
World Health Organization (WHO)'s Definition:
- Mental health is defined as:
- Awareness of one's own abilities.
- Ability to cope with normal life stress.
- Capability to work productively.
- Contribution to the community.
- Psychologists also include positive self-esteem and functional social relationships as part of mental health.
Mental Illness:
- Defined as experiencing one or more psychological disorders that significantly disturb an individual’s mental and social functioning.
- Concept of Syndrome:
- A collection of symptoms that consistently occur together, indicating a psychological disorder.

Common questions from students regarding:
- How psychologists define and diagnose mental illness.
- Prevalence of mental illness.
- Differences in the treatment of mental illness versus physical illness.

Definition: Views mental illness as biologically based, often related to brain function.
Examples of disorders linked to biological factors:
- Schizophrenia.
- Depression.
- Substance abuse.
Historical Context:
- Ancient treatments involved purging evil spirits using plants.
- Development of asylums in the 1700s and 1800s led to both care and cruel treatments.
Current State:
- Advances in neuroimaging for diagnosing disorders and biological treatments (e.g., medications affecting neurotransmitters).
- Surgical interventions and electric shock treatments conducted ethically.

Emphasizes mental factors including:
- Personality traits.
- Cognitive biases.
- Personal relationships and experiences (both negative and positive).
Resilience:
- Resilience as the ability to adapt to adversity; linked to lower levels of psychological disorders.

Discusses impact of social and cultural forces on understanding mental illness.
Variability in mental health beliefs by culture:
- Example: Anorexia and bulimia as Western disorders, which were absent in cultures without thinness ideals (e.g., Hong Kong).
Cultural Differences in Therapy:
- Importance of culturally sensitive approaches in therapy; local beliefs can affect treatment outcomes.
Cultural Bias:
- Historical issues, like immigration tests at Ellis Island, exemplifying systemic bias against certain groups and cultures.

Integrates biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors into understanding health.
Acknowledges complex interactions influencing mental health and illness.
Applications of this model:
- Effective therapeutic strategies (e.g., pet therapy, equine therapy) benefiting diverse populations.

Importance of classification in diagnosing mental disorders.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5TR):
- Published by the American Psychiatric Association describing categories and features of psychological disorders.
- Utility:
- Provides diagnostic criteria and codes for insurance purposes.
The DSM is continuously evolving with advancements in research and cultural shifts.
Challenges with varying diagnoses between professionals and the impact of insurance on access to care.
Misrepresentation of mental illness in media contributing to stigma and stereotypes.
Quote from Marie Curie to underscore the importance of understanding over fear: "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."

Prevalence statistics pre- and post-COVID-19:
- Estimated 970 million people worldwide with at least one psychological disorder in 2019.
- 13% of global population has one mental health disorder.
Common disorders:
- Anxiety disorders (31%).
- Depression (29%).
- Developmental disorders (11%).
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (9%).
- Remaining categories together account for 15%.
Lifetime Prevalence:
- Percentage of the population experiencing a disorder in their lifetime.
Comorbidity:
- Simultaneous occurrence of two or more disorders in a person.
- Complicates treatment and understanding of mental health, e.g., depression and anxiety often coexist.

Differentiating Treatment of Mental and Physical Illness:
- Misunderstanding of normality and abnormality in psychology.
Cultural Stigma:
- Negative stereotypes associated with mental illness; can create barrier to treatment and understanding.
- Examples of stigma include false beliefs about mental illness, likening it to a myth, or downplaying its seriousness.
Language Matters:
- Tolerance increases when individuals are described compassionately.
- Examples of appropriate language include: "Roberto has depression" versus "Roberto is depressed."
Major negative consequences of stigma include:
- Avoidance of social interactions, discrimination, and denial of resources.
Personal stigma can evolve from broader public stigma, highlighting the internalization of negative stereotypes.

Stigma affects help-seeking behavior, quality of life, and treatment outcomes.
Continued dialogue from influential public figures is helping to reduce stigma around mental health, promoting awareness and normalization of mental illness discussions.
Notable celebrities discussing mental health issues include:
- Kevin Love, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Billie Eilish, among others promoting the message "it's okay to not be okay."