“One wave short of a shipwreck”
Stigma surrounding Mental Illness

Insanity is the legal term for the state of being mad,
psychotic is the medical term for the state of being mad,
mad is bad in anybody’s language.

Whenever someone is first diagnosed with a psychotic illness they automatically receive free life membership of the Loser’s Club. Having a mental illness is in fact like being a member of an exclusive club that no one wants to join and one where all are life members.

Stigma and mental illness are at present inseparable and will be for a long time to come. People with mental illness because of stigma are often secretive about their illness, this unfortunately perpetuates stigma and creates a vicious circle. It’s apparent that more people with mental illness are now willing to speak out and make it known publicly that they have this problem. I’m sure this trend will continue to grow so that ultimately “ordinary” people will become more accepting, knowledgeable and less frightened of this virtually taboo subject. Mental illness affects a person’s whole family and family members can also feel stigmatised. My family have been very supportive and understanding since I developed my illness and don’t mind that I’m so open. I know how lucky I am, there must be many who would like to be open but out of respect for their family hide their illness so that only they and trusted friends know.

A major element, which fuels stigma, is all the complex laws and legislation plus the often-unavoidable Police input. I’ve not in anyway got an axe to grind with the Police it’s just that the perception of the public is, Police equals crime equals criminal. Every person should realise that mentally ill people are not criminals and should not be treated as such. When someone is psychotic they may unwittingly break the law. It’s my view that it’s unfair of the Law to hold a psychotic person even partially responsible for any crime/misdemeanour they may have committed when in the grip of a proven psychosis that they have not self-induced by illicit drugs or alcohol. I see mental illness from both sides of the coin, I can see and appreciate where all the relevant laws are unfortunately necessary but I also see it from an emotional point of view where it’s very scary to be at the receiving end of such laws.

It’s a mistake to surround yourself with only politically correct people as this leaves you totally unprepared for the person/friend you may meet in the street who will look you straight in the eye and say, “I heard you’ve been in the Mad House again”. When this happened to me at first I felt quite hurt but on reflection they were right --- that was the bottom line and when I had accepted that then there was no longer any hurt.

The public at times view the mentally ill as objects of derision and in common everyday language there are many terms such as loony, loopy, knitting with only one needle, radio rental, toys in the attic and a good many more. None of these terms bother me now but if any derogatory term was to be directed at say a physically disabled person then it would be a different story. Who today would call a disabled person in a wheelchair a “raspberry ripple” without being highly criticised? but it’s OK if the person has a mental illness.

My defence against stigma is to first accept my illness plus hospital admissions and then to be as open as possible. Apart from the negative side of mental illness it’s also fascinating and usually everyone who is affected has some amazing story or experience to tell. It’s strange to say but having a mental illness has made me a better person. I now have a better understanding of myself and have empathy and sympathy for anyone who is unwell either physically or mentally.

Alistair MacDonald
Isle of Bute.
AlistairOnBute@aol.com