In a country that takes pride in its multiculturalism, open mindedness, and tolerance; as Canadians we remain stereotypical. People with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia could participate in society. However, when someone says mental illness, most people think something negative; like violence, danger, or weakness. Nevertheless, stereotypes and discriminatory behavior prevent many people from achieving the same success as other members of society. Due to stereotypes and society’s inflexible nature, those who are mentally ill find it hard to become a functioning participant in society.
Mood disorders are common in society, yet due to stereotypes, people find it harder to cope with their illness then need be. In Canada, approximately ten percent of the population has a mood disorder (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Mood disorders are psychological disorders that include but are not limited to Depression and Bipolar Disease. Depression is very common in today’s society due to the stress and pressures of our world. It occurs mostly because of outside influences and inner struggles, not genetic imbalances (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada , 2002). Common symptoms of depression include feelings of worthlessness and unhappiness (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). However, when these feelings last for extended periods of time and increase in severity, a diagnosis of depression is given (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada , 2002). Of all the mental illnesses, depression is the most treatable but people avoid treatment because of stereotypes surrounding depression. Bipolar disease is another mood disorder that finds stereotypes hard to overcome. Bipolar disease or manic depression is mainly caused by chemical unbalances in the brain; however, people can function with these unbalances and not experience manic depression (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Manic depression is a combination of extreme mood swings, which are between high or mania feelings to low or depressive feelings (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada , 2002). Bipolar disease is treatable and when someone gets the appropriate help, he or she too can function properly in society (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Out of all the disorders, those who suffer from mood illnesses face the most scrutiny in the workplace and find it hard to overcome the connections between illness and violence (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). In actuality, people with mental illnesses are less likely to commit a crime and are in fact mostly the victims of crime (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). The media is key in creating this false impression of danger around people who suffer from mood disorders. For example, headlines like “Mom jailed for killing autistic daughter,” do not help the campaign to end discriminatory behavior (Powell, 2008). The article is about a woman suffering from depression and bipolar disorder who was convicted of second-degree murder of her four-year-old child (Powell, 2008). Although it is a reasonable conviction, the negative attention towards these mood disorders makes people believe that since a select few are criminals and dangerous then they all are dangerous (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). This perception of danger is what prevents so many people from reaching their full potential. Despite popular belief, people are able to move forward with their lives and function at the same level as others after treatment (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). The stereotypes people project on those with a mood disorder can actually worsen symptoms and feelings of self worth to the point of extremist behavior (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). This extremist behavior is unfortunately often in the media. Very few people actually exhibit the extreme symptoms of a mood disorder, but those characteristics are projected on to the many who are suffering. Mood disorders are a type of mental illness that are easily treatable but so much negative stereotyping occurs that people cannot function properly in society with their disorder.
In society, people with anxiety disorders find it difficult to function at a high level with society’s constant criticism and stereotypes. Anxiety disorders include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and various Phobias. Over 12% of Canada has fallen victim to an anxiety disorder and the majority of people who have an anxiety disorder are from 20 to29 years of age (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes one to obsess with everyday tasks or things and persistent unwanted thoughts (Bain & Colyer, 2001, p. 92). In an attempt to relieve these thoughts and anxieties, the person performs rituals or compulsions (Bain & Colyer, 2001, p. 92). An example of this would be someone who is obsessed with their fear of germs, so they constantly wash their hands. Another disorder is PTSD. PTSD happens after one has experienced a traumatic event and they constantly relive that moment causing problems in behavior and everyday activities (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). For example, someone was driving the car when he or she got into an accident that killed their best friend; driving now becomes impossible without traumatic memories. Phobias are the most common anxiety disorder. A phobia is irrational and persistent fear of objects or situations (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada , 2002). Common examples of phobias are claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed spaces and arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. There is no definite cure for any of the above anxiety disorders. However, victims can receive long-term care from various medications, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy to elevate symptoms/ impairment (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). People with anxiety disorders face constant scrutiny because anxiety disorders are commonly associated with weakness and worry (Bain & Colyer, 2001, p. 88). Before treatment, people suffering from anxiety disorders like with all psychological disorders, cannot function fully in society. However, when they are in therapy, they can usually function like the rest of society. Nevertheless, it is hard to diagnose someone with an anxiety disorder since many people are ashamed of their symptoms (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). When people who need help are ashamed to do so, one must realize society’s conditioning and stereotypes have gone too far. For example, in the movie, ‘As good as it gets’ the main character has an extreme form of OCD (Bain & Colyer, 2001, p. 92). Movies and media give us impressions, both good and bad, about certain people. They leave lasting impressions and give us predetermined judgments. Like people with mood disorders, people with anxiety disorders find it hard to find employment and confide in others (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Not only do our stereotypes prevent people with anxiety disorders from participating in society but also society isolates victims of anxiety illnesses.
People with schizophrenia find it difficult to cope and participate with their disorder in society. There are more stereotypes surrounding schizophrenia than any other psychological illness. Schizophrenia is one of the most serious mental illnesses that is extremely rare and affects less than 1% of the population (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). It causes confused thoughts, delusions, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Many people suffering from schizophrenia have a hard time concentrating on tasks that require a lot of attention and memory (What is Stigma, 2008). People who suffer from schizophrenia also begin to withdraw from social settings and lose most if not all emotional thoughts/feelings (What is Stigma, 2008). This kind of behavior is often misinterpreted. Most people are afraid of schizophrenia because they are undereducated on the subject causing many prejudices to become associated with it. For that reason, people assume that people with schizophrenia are weak, dangerous, have split personalities, and are violent (What is Stigma, 2008). This is not the case, although some people with schizophrenia do suffer from split personalities but schizophrenic people are not dangerous (Understanding Mental Illness, 2008). Like those with mood and anxiety disorders, people with schizophrenia have no greater chance of committing a crime than anyone else in the general population (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). Actually, people with schizophrenia have a 2 ½ % chance of becoming a victim of a criminal act and to 40% try to commit suicide at some point because of all the negative attention (Quick Facts about mental illness in Canada , 2008). Schizophrenia is often associated with danger and violence because it is often in the media involving brutal crimes. For example, A Brampton man was recently convicted manslaughter for killing his girlfriend (Mitchell, 2008). He beat her to death and because schizophrenia impairs his judgment, he received a conviction of manslaughter for killing her (Mitchell, 2008). This was only one case of murder involving schizophrenia and because of this; people assume that all people with schizophrenia are like that. Each and Everyday, people with schizophrenia cope with society’s negative view and their own mental problems. Because of all the stereotypes, schizophrenic people find it hard to acquire housing, education, employment, etc… (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada , 2002). People with schizophrenia have unique skills just like everyone else but are rejected because of the stigma surrounding their illness. People with schizophrenia could participate in society but like with mood and anxiety disorders, stereotypes prevent them from achieving the same success.
Prejudice and discrimination in society cause many who have mental disorders to avoid help and therefore have problems functioning in society. Aggression, hazard, and flaw all come to mind when someone mentions psychological disorder. For a country that takes pride in its tolerance, many people are prejudiced towards people with mental disabilities which cause victims of these disorders to become unable to participate properly in society. People with emotional illnesses, nervousness disorders, and even schizophrenia can participate in society. With such an advance in technology, medicine and human rights, how can Canada continue to allow people with psychological problems to feel isolated, ashamed, and discriminated against?
