Mental Illness By Mossakowski Summary

Mossakowski’s article, Americans’ Attitudes toward Mental Illness and Involuntary Psychiatric Medication, analyzes the theory behind how Americans scrutinize mental illness and how stigma and involuntary psychiatric treatments are often a repercussion of this (Mossakowski 2011:200). This article also considers the continuous increase in the amount of prescription medications being used to treat a variety of mental illnesses (Mossakowski 2011:201). Stigmas are present in everyday society, leaving them basically impossible to avoid. They are negative ways of thinking and looking at particular items. Stigma theory, which this article discusses, analyzes how the major factor affecting those with a mental illness is the fact that the public fear they are dangerous (Mossakowski 2011:209). The stigma towards those that are mentally ill usually has a very negative impact on their life as others label it as their master status. Once you are diagnosed with a mental illness, that label never leaves. As a society, we like to categorize everyone and everything into different groups to make them easier to identify with. This categorizing allows us to ensure

To make ourselves feel safe to have those with a mental illness around us and in society, we prescribe them medication (Mossakowski 2011:202). For many this medication does not only better society, but it also betters their own life. Medication for many individuals that have a mental illness allows them to reintegrate back into society (Mossakowski 2011:200). However, not all mentally ill patients comply with taking their medication on a regular basis. Sometimes this can lead to mandated treatment which could mean taking medication and or attending treatment by force (Mossakowski 2011:201). This means the individual has no say in taking their medication and will often be institutionalized if they do not adhere to these rules (Mossakowski