Stigma from Mental Health

It is important to understand how those suffering from mental health problems may be affected by the social stigma attached to mental health and the discrimination they experience. Often times, stigmas attached to a mental health diagnosis may perpetuate their issues, which in turn, can make their troubles worse, making it challenging to seek out professional help. In your paper: 1. Provide a definition of stigma in the mental health field, and how it affects individuals seeking professional help (2 points). 2. Define the term disability, and explain how it plays a role in health and well-being (2 points). 3. Describe how certain diagnoses may be overused or frequently misdiagnosed. (3 points) 4. Of the five listed, select one to further your discussion: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, and Bipolar. Use mental health journals to support your findings, such as Psychology Today, Journal of Mental Health, or The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Why did you select the diagnosis you did? Does the diagnosis you chose directly affect you, or someone you know? If so, how has this been a challenge for you or that person? (4 points) 5. Provide U.S. statistics on that illness with regards to adults and children. Your answer should contain at least three statistics supported with empirical evidence from the text and/or mental health journals, such as Psychology Today, Journal of Mental Health, or The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. You may also use another Journal you find, so long as it fits the aforementioned criteria for this assignment. (5 points). 6. Select one of the contemporary sociological theories covered in this course and apply it to health and medicine, including a discussion of health care benefits, life choices that may contribute to mental health disorders, and/or lack of resources for individuals with mental illnesses. (4 points)