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ABOUT SCHIZOPHRENIA | ||||||||||||||
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The image in society of schizophrenia and those affected by the disease is without a doubt a negative one. The most frequent presumptions about schizophrenia and those affected by schizophrenia are:
These negative stereotypes are ubiquitous and frequently are grounded in ignorance and equating the person with his or her illness. The result of which is that the afflicted are often labeled as 'lunatics' or 'insane'. They are often at a disadvantage in the search for living quarters and jobs. If their social circle finds out about the illness, people tend to distance themselves. There are great reservations when treatment centers or residence institutions for the mentally ill are to be located in a neighborhood. The social status of psychiatric patients is far lower than that of former criminals. According to a study out of the US, those who have previously been under psychiatric treatment Ð even after five years of normal life and regular work are socially less accepted that previous prisoners. Out of the stigmatization grows discrimination within society that expresses itself if various ways Ð from a tendency to avoid giving work to a person with a schizophrenic illness to social exclusion. Stigmatization through the media Even the media, through their reporting contribute to the stigmatization of the mentally ill. The Stereotypical accounts of mentally ill persons have changed little since the second world war. Today, just as in the past, television and the yellow press disseminate a sensationalized image of mentally ill persons. Soap operas depict them as violent and murderous, unpredictable and dangerous. An American study has shown that in 70% of television shows that include mentally ill characters shown during prime time depict them as violent whereas only 42% are depicted as healthy individuals. The majority of the rolls of the mentally ill not show them not only as dangerous but also surrounded by an evil aura so that mistrust and bullying seem to be of justifiable. Widespread myths The assumption that schizophrenia is in every case incurable, is wrong. Scientific studies prove that between one quarter and one third of patients emerge from a schizophrenic psychosis healed and at least an equal percent suffer only few or light relapses. Many psychiatrists since Sigmund Freud have tried to find causes for the mental disturbances within the family. None of them have been able to prove that the family environment or incorrect behavior by parents can cause schizophrenia. Thousands of family members of persons afflicted by schizophrenia have suffered due to shame, guilt and stigma as a result of widespread acceptance of such erroneous theories. Family members carry the burden of living together with someone whose actions and emotional reactions are sometimes difficult to understand. They need sympathy and support not accusations and mistrust. The belief that schizophrenia is contagious has been spread around the world and is the basis for many prejudices against mentally ill persons. These myths lack all foundation since the causes of schizophrenia are of a psychological and genetic nature and therefore impossible to be contagious. The public opinion, supported by the media, that a mental illness is usually combined with violent behavior cannot be scientifically proven. The majority of people with mental illnesses never commit a violent crime and mentally ill people are generally not more dangerous than healthy persons of the same population group. In reality, those suffering from schizophrenia are more likely to be the victims of abuse or violence than they are to be the perpetrators. A long-term confinement in an appropriate institution is therefore neither indicated nor necessary. The opposite effect is the usual result; the mental health and the ability to get along in life worsens. A double burden It is easy to understand that stigmatization makes it twice as difficult to reintegrate socially. Even without the stigma, it is not easy to deal with the disease and learn to accept it; through stigmatization and discrimination, more obstacles are placed in the way. The signal from the numerous rejections in public and private is that "we don't want you here like that"; a message that can deeply injure or drive into isolation even a healthy and mentally stable person. The consequences of stigmatization are, among others, insufficient financing for the development of institutions for psychiatric health studies, problems getting housing, unemployment and social isolation. Most serious are the effects on the progression of the illness. Prejudices and fears are generated by myths and myths are generated by ignorance. The Anti-Stigma program intends to contribute to the fight against discrimination and to a reduction in the stigmatization of the illness schizophrenia. By bringing scientifically rooted information into public awareness, prejudices should be diminished. Through these means, the chance for mentally ill and healthy people to live together in a stress- and trouble-free way can be achieved; which in the end not only serves social reintegration but also the mental healing of the afflicted person. Composed by the Anti-Stigma-Workgroup of the LMU in association with BASTA - the association for the mentally ill. |
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| © 2006 BASTA | |