Social Construction Of Mental Illness

What classifies one as exhibiting personality traits descriptive of “mental illness”? Is it defined through observation of activity deemed “abnormal” by those normal enough to create this criterion or standard? Or is it an indication of one’s ability to give and receive information, tied to their capability of thinking? The meaning of illness itself is generally used to identify one as being in a state of impaired function brought about by harmful foreign influences. The term is also one that is understood to be temporary, describing a period of weakness as opposed to a permanent ailment that is irreversible. So why then does society often label those diagnosed with these disorders of the mind in way that permanently defines them within a condescending
I don’t see mental illness as something that can be connected to one’s personality, yet in many social settings it seems to form a lasting impression. A mention of mental illness or admission of such creates a perception that may be in many ways false. Because of negative social views tied to mental illness, those who are known to deal with it are often categorized and outcast from others out of misunderstanding. Many of the mental illnesses that are often spoken of such as depression and anxiety have each impacted us at one point in our lives. Be it one catastrophic episode that severely traumatizes a person or the corrosive effect of repeated negative events, outside influence can leave a lasting impact on our way of thinking. In no way is this a reflection of the individual personality, but its common nonetheless to connect these two separate entities. As I have come to develop my own viewpoint relating to the subject, I mainly see mental illness for how it impacts a person’s ability to integrate themselves within society. To best convey this I will use mental sickness, mental illness, and mental disease to express the impact that I feel is placed upon those with a mental
For those who suffer from mental disease it is often too severe to live a normal life. At this stage of mental illness, the mind is in a bondage that is near unbreakable, and within society these individuals are not typically interacted with as peers. They are a mental illness instead of have; they are characterized by what they suffer from and are no longer socially accepted. Schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, bi-polar disorder, and borderline personality disorder all have a place in this frame of classification. Psychiatric hospitals aim to remove these problems, but in most all cases they only can protect the person suffering from the illness from others around them and from themselves. These more complex mental illnesses are often the result of pre-disposition, genetic factors, or severe trauma that exacerbated already present indications. Until further research is made in the field of psychiatric treatment, illnesses of this magnitude will continued to be shunned among many circles of