A mental disorder is a medical condition which disrupts a person’s ability to think, to feel, to relate to others, his/her mood and daily functioning. More clearly, a mental disorder or a psychological disorder is a psychological dysfunction associated with distress or impairment in functioning and a response that is not typical or culturally expected (Durand et al, 2006). According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH); a mental illness is a mental, behavioural or emotional disorder which is diagnosable and can be treated. There are innumerable mental disorders which can be named; like major depression, schizophrenia, panic disorder, etc. In the world, everyday, people who are diagnosed with a mental disorder is increasing. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) (2001); mental disorders affect one-quarter of people worldwide at some point in their lives. In …show more content…
Basically it is a sociological theory which describes individuals in terms of behavioural characteristics. Usually it is linked with stereotyping. And one of the most common labelling is for diagnosis of a mental disorder. Labelling theory of mental illness is an important framework for understanding the effects of stigma associated with the devalued status of person with mental illness (Lemert et al., 1951). Labelling affects individuals to really understand the mental disorder and their consequences. As a result of labelling of mental disorders, people are seen as “being” mentally ill instead of “having” a mental illness (Pasman, 2011). Labelling of mental illness has both positive and negative implications on people who are suffering from a mental disorder. In this essay, the psychological implications for individuals who are receiving a diagnostic label is explained by considering people who are suffering from