Mental illnesses have a high prevalence amongst the United States population. Each year, tens of millions of individuals suffer and are affected by mental illnesses (National Institute of Mental Health, 1). These illnesses range from anxiety disorder, eating disorders, major depression, personality disorder, and many more. Yet, with the existing knowledge, mental providers and professionals, and the DSM-5, mental illness remains a growing mystery to the public. Literature has played a significant role in how mental illnesses are defined, their characteristics, and the portrayal of those who are mentally ill to the public eye. From memoirs on mental illness such as Susanna Kaysen 's Girl, Interrupted to Daphne 's Scholinksi 's The Last Time I …show more content…
In relation to Davis ' "Constructing Normalcy: The Bell Curve, the novel, and the Invention of the Disabled Body in the Nineteenth Century," Daphne Scholinski 's memoir The Last Time I Wore A Dress highlights the idea anything outside of what is seen as normal is seen as an illness, particularly in her case, a mental illness. In The Last Time I Wore A Dress, Scholinski recounts her experience in a mental hospital for three years, and the events surrounding her institutionalization. Growing up, Daphne deals with a careless mother, an abusive father, and the battles with finding her identity as a female. The fact that Daphne does not resemble the typical female has caused her to stand out. Her psychiatrist diagnoses her with Gender Identity Disorder, which Daphne believe is her main reason behind being in a mental hospital, as well as many other disorders. However, Scholinski greatly highlights the fact that not acting like what is seen an appropriate female is what has affected her the most, and her misbehavior and substance abuse is a result of others suggesting that acting outside of what is normal for a girl is an issue. Additionally, Scholinski demonstrates the gender bias that plays a part in diagnosing mental illness. Because Daphne is a female, she expresses how her gender has an impact on evaluating one 's mental health. Her gender was the main focus when diagnosing her, and overpowered all of the other issues that may have been possibly affecting her mental health such as parental issues, lack of
Over the past decades that have passed since 1901, the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the presence of healthcare opportunities has decreased dramatically. For example, the growth of education regarding mental illness has skyrocketed. Also, from a legal standpoint, many policies have been implemented to protect the rights of those struggling from mental health issues, such as The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Whether from oneself who is struggling or from a loved one, it has become somewhat standard to at least make an attempt to help the struggling mind. The normalization of mental illness has primarily been seen in the entertainment industry, something that tended to be very forbidden in the past.
Many people suffer from mental illnesses, some of whom we may be able to identify, and some we may not. A mental illness is a condition that can affect mood, thinking and behavior. The DSM-5, which is a manual of mental disorders, it consists of classification for over 200 mental disorders. The DSM 5 is used as a guide to understand symptoms and is also used to help treat clients. These mental illness range from something as unusual as hoarding disorder, to something as serious as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The memoir Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen is a unique recollection of a troubling two years in the McLean mental hospital. Kaysen narrates her experience with a whimsy and in-depth analysis of herself, her fellow patients, the hospital, and society as a whole. Part of her purpose for writing this memoir is to evaluate whether she was actually mentally ill, if she really needed to be in that hospital. As she relates her situation to the readers, she captures their attention with the blatant truth which is simultaneously shocking and expository. The readers buy into her story with complete faith which is in part due to the extra-textual reality that binds the memoir to the very real world Susanna Kaysen is writing about.
The narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” suffers from mental illness which is aggravated by her doctor-ordered isolation; although her illness appears to worsen, the woman finds mental autonomy in her isolation. Louise, from “The Story of an Hour,”
The concept and reality of mental illness of Arizona State University leads to similar student failure in their academic careers, leads to degrading of their psychosis and treatment, and support the social ideals on mental illness lessening the situation with which they reside and limiting their resources for assistance. This concept of mental illness’s understated relevance of severity leads to distrust within the community of support which is already current. In this community, of miscommunication leads to unease, discomfort, and lack of confidence which leads to performance of academic success and ambitious pursuit to succeed in whichever they or the community have set before them. For example, Laura Lawless tells her story later in this
Most of the information that public have about mental illnesses comes from print and electronic media. Thus, it is important to understand the manner in which media depicts mental health. Thus, media can be used to spread 'Mental Health Literacy' by increased and appropriate coverage of mental issues and concerns. Mental health literacy can help people identify the
A World of External Silence with an Audible Mind As someone who personally struggled with mental illness, author Shannon L. Alder quotes, “Your perspective on life comes from the cage you were held captive in.” People may recall when they have been rejected by close acquaintances, but the true, shocking memories are those of rejection from friends and family. These issues strike the most in people because they try to live a fulfilling life to please friends and family, while inside, they are the ones suffering. A society that is split between equality and destruction leads to a deranged world in themselves.
When people hear the words, “mental illness,” they think of insane asylums and psychiatric wards, but that’s not necessarily the case. Yes, back in the 1800’s they did have asylums for people with mental disorders. But that was when doctors didn’t fully understand mental illnesses and disorders. But currently, doctors are able to comprehend illnesses and disorders.
Struggling with one’s identity is still conveyed in today’s society. Several individuals have come to be diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Through the duration of time there have been cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder that lead to pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy. When women are diagnosed with such a condition it affects their mind, making them emotionally unstable. In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator, Jane, evokes similar symptoms to Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Skip to content THEBLUMEBLOG Exploring Literature in a Digital Age Menu The Yellow Wallpaper Argument Essay Written by theblume The_Yellow_Wallpaper_by_kaitaro04011“The Yellow Wallpaper” is, on its surface, about a woman driven insane by post-partum depression and a dangerous treatment. However, an examination of the protagonist’s characterization reveals that the story is fundamentally about identity. The protagonist’s projection of an imaginary woman — which at first is merely her shadow — against the bars of the wallpaper’s pattern fragments her identity, internalizing the conflict she experiences and eventually leading to the complete breakdown of the boundaries of her identity and that of her projected shadow.
Mental illness as a social construct is further supported by the addition and deletion of mental illness categories within the DSM-5. Diagnoses such as homosexuality, narcissistic personality disorder, hysteria and schizoid have been deleted while cannabis withdrawal and hoarding disorder have been added to the DSM-5. Asperger’s Syndrome has been blended into Autism Spectrum Disorder which leads to a question of the validity of diagnoses that lack specificity of symptoms. A mental health diagnosis and label can change a person’s identity and encourages the use of pharmacological interventions that have both side effects and unknown long-term ramifications.
The films Girl, Interrupted and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest gave a glimpse into the conditions and treatments used in the 1960s and 1970s in mental health institutions. Both films follow the struggles of two individuals and give insight into the psychological health field. Each film demonstrated some accurate but also inaccurate portrayals of the treatment and conditions that patients received and lived in while staying at these facilities. Girl, Interrupted is a film that focused on the institutionalization of the main character, Susanna Kaysen, and her time that was spent at Claymore Mental Institution.
While the topic of mental health awareness has recently been introduced, the roots of mental illnesses run deep into history. Mental illnesses, also called mental disorders, are a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Many people with mental illnesses are now fighting to increase awareness of disorders like depression and anxiety, and some argue that the best way to educate about mental illnesses is to teach about it in school. By educating about mental illnesses in schools, activists are hoping to increase understanding about the topic and prevent teenagers who have mental illnesses from feeling alone.
Today there has been an increase in the awareness of mental health. In the sense that society has begun to take notice of how mental health effects each individual differently. The media has begun to incorporate a variety of illnesses to entertain to their audience. However, many have questioned if the media is accurately portraying these mental disorders. I chose to compare two popular movies Frankie & Alice and the 2007 version film Sybil.
Introduction Today, mental health problem is recognized as a public health problem in developed as well as developing countries. The significance of mental disorders is demonstrated by the fact that it is among the most important causes of morbidity and produce considerable disability. WHO estimates that mental disruptions account for 30% of nonfatal disease burden worldwide and 10% of overall disease burden. The overall expenditure of mental disorders was guessed to be almost $6 trillion by 2030. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44.