It makes it seem as if the disorder is all encompassing and makes them less than human, when this is not the case. The effect of this is to make it seem as if the fact that a person suffers from a mental disorder negates their humanity. One primary method that most people don’t even consider is the fact that people are often referred to as a “schizophrenic” rather than “someone who has schizophrenia” or state that someone “is depressed” instead of “has depression” (Mayo Clinic Staff). There are numerous ways in which people who suffer from a mental illness are degraded and shamed. This stigma causes severe harm by dehumanizing those who have mental disorders, making it harder for the mentally ill to admit their symptoms to others and seek treatment, and making people think those who have mental disorders are inherently dangerous and that all people who suffer from them commit crimes. Despite the fact that one in four Americans suffers from some form of mental illness, people suffering from mental illness are continually stigmatized and ostracized by society (Ungar). This happens every day though, not to victims of cancer, but to victims of mental illness. Sounds horrifying, right? Imagine putting that added burden, that shame, on someone who is fighting for their life. Imagine if our society blamed people for being diagnosed with cancer, claiming it was their life choices that had led to such a terrible disease. Here is an interesting editorial discussing the restrictions Congress has put forth on firearms dealers:
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