Social Deviance
Chapter 14: Mental Disorders
Chapter Goals
Understand the stigma of mental disorders. Be able to describe psychiatric interpretations of mental disorders. Be able to describe the stratification of mental disorders. Be able to describe stress related issues of mental health disorders. Learn about social roles and mental disorders. Understand the dynamics of reducing the stigma of mental health disorders.
The Stigma of Mental Disorders
People with mental disorders have been stigmatized for a number of reasons. People with mental disorders are held responsible for their own conditions. The system of care for those with mental disorders has been separate from that of care for those with physical illnesses. There is a view that people with mental disorders are violent and disruptive or unpredictable.
Psychiatric View of Mental Disorders
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual: The American Psychiatric Association (1994) developed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth edition (DSM-IV). Since it first publication there have been some terms eliminated as a disorder (i.e., neurosis and homosexuality). Psychiatry traditionally classifies mental disorders according to two types--those derived from organic causes (ex. old age and senility) and those derived from functional, or nonorganic, disorders (ex. schizophrenia).
Social Stratification and Mental Disorders
Social Class-- i.e., severe psychiatric disorders show a disproportionate concentration in the lowest social classes. Sex-- i.e., women develop manic-depressive disorders at a higher rate than men. Age-- i.e., the age group from 18 to 29 shows the highest concentration of schizophrenia Race and Ethnicity-- i.e., African Americans have higher rates of both lifetime histories and active disorders than whites. Marital Status-- i.e., those who are never married, divorced or separated have higher rates of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders compared to married people.
Social Stress in Mental Disorders
Social stress may exhibit similar links to mental disorders. Certain types of disorders seem associated with stressful life events.
Some people believe modern life triggers higher levels of stress. Stress play a visible role in neurotic compulsive behavior such as excessive tapping Stress does not inevitably produce a mental disorder; instead, it depends on how the individual handles stress. Successful "coping" depends on both physical and social resources.
Social Roles and Mental Disorders
Inability to Shift Roles: Social stress may exhibit similar links to mental disorders. Certain types of disorders seem associated with stressful life events. Some people believe modern life triggers higher levels of stress. Stress play a visible role in neurotic compulsive behavior such as excessive tapping. Stress does not inevitably produce a mental disorder; instead, it depends on how the individual handles stress. Successful "coping" depends on both physical and social resources.
Reducing Stigma
The public stigmatizes those with mental disorders as unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Several mentally ill people may experience house discrimination and choose to avoid treatment for their disorders in an attempt to reduce the stigma. The government has attempted to reduce the stigma through public education. The most effective way to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental disorders is to find the