Why is going to a psychiatrist a stigma

Why are mental illnesses such a stigma in society? if people have a toothache or a headache they will visit the dentist or doctor but if they have a mantal illness, why wont thy visit the psychologist (or if it is serious psychiatrist)? If someone has a physical disease, others support them but if someone has a mental illness that person is shunned from society.

What is the reason for this?

what is there such a strong stigma in society against mentally challenged people?

what can be done to lessen this?

how do you feel about this?

 

Edited by Aparna_BD - 15 April 2006 at 7:23am

Very nice topic Javz. I have lots to say on it and i have many examples and experiences to share. But not now jaanu. Mentally exhausted. B bak lader!!!

maybe because we take all forms of mentallly ill ppl (mild and severe) a threat to the society even if its not so.

I never thought about it But I will certainly add a food of thought on that,very shortly

Hi guys.. this is my first post in Debate mansion...and on mental illness!!! Can anybody welcome me!!???

Well as far as i think people build a kind of fort around themselves. Most of the people think that they will be considered "mad" if they go to a psychiatrist/ psychologist . Moreover the thing which literally haunts is the extensive use of tranquillizers by some doctors . Yes i agree sometimes it is unavoidable but SOME doctors try to suppress the illness by giving pills, which is wrong. Sometimes only active listening helps! So what's the point in just making money and deferring the disease??

To an extent the society is responsible. They stop visiting the houses where someone is mentally ill- a kind of boycott!! RIDICULOUS!!! Making gossip like :koi sayaa chur gaya, the house is haunted,etc. And due to this the family members r sort of forced to impose a JAIL on the suffering person -making the condition for the poor person even worse.

And the biggest reason for any kind of mental illness, wht i think, is the LACK OF COMMUNICATION. Whether its the family problems or anything else, any kind of barrier which restricts a person for the expression of emotions leads to frustration. Yes, life is not a bed of roses, but the energy to fight comes from the mental support provided by ur loved ones. No person is able to conquer any battle on her/his own. We are called social animal,WHY??? We do need support and guidance. So what is the problem in talking and discussing the issue? Why so many forts/barriers to hinder the communication process? Why don't we talk and resolve issues??

ok now wht could be done to lessen it?? To me its the awareness and education which can counter attack the small thinking that exists in the society. U know people refuse to even believe that children may have psychological problems!! The excuse: They r children, unable to understand anything, so wht's the problem. WRONG!!!! Children r the most sensitive and mature people on earth these days. To underestimate them is the biggest mistake. And then wht happens, the trauma is not cured, leading ultimately to more complicated problems in future. If a child's problem is not resolved in time, it can turn him into a serial killer in future!!!!NO JOKES!!! Many examples available. Go and search. U'll understand wht im saying.

To conclude, mental illness should be cured in time. This intangible/invisible illness is far disastrous from the physical illness anybody faces.

hey thats a really nice topic..and i very good observation..i have never thot about it and now that i do, i really dont kno why that happens...
its realy sad..
maybe because they portray a very disturbing image that may even sometimes frighten people..i admit that even while seeing such patients in a movie,they are behind bars and screaming ,i am deeply disturbed..obviously u cant shun them from society for that but still as sam_84 said maybe their a threat to society...its hard to come up with a concrete reason,but ill think about it..

 Very well said.You get 10/10.You left me thinking  Thanks.

ANd By The way Welcome

well u know the saying people fear what they do not understand i think that this is very much the case here people are just not educated enough in these matters therefore they label things to make themselves fell betta