I think there is so much stigma surrounding mental illness because it is not always a disease process that can be seen visibly outside the body. I also think mental illness has become mainstream in society and oftentimes is used out of context in exaggerations or figurative language.

Factors that contribute to self-stigma include Hollywood’s representation of mental illness through physical representations of a disheveled appearance or outbursts. Most often, mental illness is not something that is visualized on the outside. Additionally, the historical past treatment of individuals with mental illness through the use of “insane asylums” has led to negative conceptions of mental illness today. Coined terms for mental issues such as crazy or deranged, and the notion that mental illness is shameful and brings that upon families may contribute to someone’s willingness to seek treatment.  

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down is a book written by Anthropologist Anne Fadiman, on the Hmong culture. In brief, this book brings to light how different cultures view and respond to illness. In the Hmong Culture, whenever an individual experiences a seizure, they are being touched by a spirit and their soul leaves their body. This is regarded as a gift, whereas Western Culture identifies this as a medical condition having to do with nerve impulses. Although this book utilizes epilepsy as a medical condition, the message is the same for how the identification and treatment of mental illness have everything to do with perspective and not everyone views it in the same manner.