Mental Illness Stigma as a Barrier to Seeking Help

     Stigma around mental illness conditions has troublesome consequences for persons living with mental illness. Stigma continues even though public awareness is growing and persons living with symptoms are seeking help more often. ​

Examples of mental illness stigma beliefs include: 

• Alienated and seen as “others”
• Seen as unable to make their own decisions
• Discomfort to talk with friends/family about symptoms/condition
• Difficulties admitting need or asking for help, which can lead to the worsening of symptoms and additional decline in functioning and health                                         

                                             (NAMI, StigmaFree Me campaign) 

How does mental illness stigma affect seniors and the elderly, such as the Baby Boomer (ages 56-74) and Silent Generations (ages 75-95)? 

​Part of the stigma for seniors is impacted and concealed by myths about aging. Examples of these myths include:

• The elderly have greater psychological problems in comparison to younger adults (such as sadness, loneliness, and fears of death and dying);
• The elderly almost always suffer from dementia; and
• American families abandon their older relatives.

In actuality, most older people are happy and satisfied with their lives and accepting of death relative to younger and middle-aged people. In recent national data from 2018, SAMHSA reported that persons age 50 and older had the least amount of any mental illness of any other age group. It may be that the presence of psychological disorders decreases in general with the aging process.

Families also typically remain close and involved in the lives of their elder relatives. Changes in thinking that occur with normal aging are largely harmless, and usually entail mild forgetfulness and word-finding difficulty during conversations. While dementia is more common in old age in comparison to youth, it is not a normal part of the aging process. (written and produced by ABCT)

What can be done to counteract mental illness stigma and ageism for the elderly?

• The aging process is not the source of any psychological or behavioral distresses or impairments. 
• Consider other factors that can better explain the observed changes. Identify if there are changes in the social or physical surroundings, the absence of supportive relationships, or presence of longstanding difficulties that are at fault (written and produced by ABCT). Work to improve changing or coping with these factors and seek professional consultation as needed. 
• To counteract stigma, educate yourself and others about mental illness and its symptoms. 
  • Realize that only about 10% of elderly persons with depression receive treatment. Oftentimes, depression may be overlooked when there are medical illnesses and other problems. Untreated depression can significantly reduce quality of life, especially when there is a co-occurring physical illness. There is also a significant risk of suicide relative to other age groups.
  • Approximately 5% of people ages 65-74 have Alzheimer’s dementia. Changes in memory is not the only feature of this slow and progressive condition. Specialized psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists, or physicians are able to assess and diagnose if dementia is present. 
• Seek an integrated care approach, such as a physician and psychologist team, for treatment of your symptoms. Consider what behavioral/psychological treatment options are available instead of solely relying upon medication for symptom management. 

• Other recommendations to get rid of stigma include:
  • Talk openly about mental health: what is it like when you experience specific symptoms or conditions? What do you wish people would understand more? 
  • Encourage equality between physical and mental illness: Mental illness is a disease with physiological in addition to cognitive and emotional processes, just as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. We should not regard or respond to mental illness any differently.   
  • Show compassion for those with mental illness: people who are hurting are still human beings. 

​    (NAMI, 2017; for additional ideas to fight stigma, click here) 

#MIAW #Vote4MentalHealth #NotAlone          #mentalhealthmatters   #stopthestigma
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This post is in recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week ("MIAW", 10/4-10/10). The theme of this year's MIAW is "What People With Mental Illness Want You to Know."

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