Mental Disorders In The Media Essay

Mental disorders are often negatively portrayed in the media. Syndromes are misrepresented or represented in a harmful, stereotypical fashion which gives an unfavorable and inaccurate understanding of the disorder to the general public. Misunderstanding is perpetuated by stigma regarding mental health issues. Stigma in the media cause individuals with mental disorders, such as depression, to feel a sense of shame in regards to their mental state of health. This shame prevents these individuals from seeking the necessary psychological and medical help that they need and can actually cause an exacerbation of symptoms. This paper argues that popular media is significant in shaping the public perception of mental disorders and current portrayals are often harmful in nature. Popular media and entertainment exert a more powerful influence on the populace than written news media. Depictions of mental illness in film and on the
For example, one of the most effective forms of treatment for a variety of psychological issues is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In India and in the United States, ECT has been depicted in film as something cruel and painful, administered by force to those perceived as insane (Padhy, Khatana, & Sarkar, 2014; Pirkis et al., 2006). As a result, the unwilling patient is rendered catatonic. In actuality, ETC is safe and often times very helpful in alleviating psychological distress in patients. However, even those who have access to accurate information about ETC and other treatments for mental disorders, such as medical students, have held onto unfounded notions generated through popular culture through film and other media (Pirkis et al., 2006). In addition, health professionals are depicted as cruel or incompetent. The use of medications is