Experts: Social stigma is more severe than the disease itself
Calling for the correction of misconceptions about medicines
Psychiatric medications help restore balance and do not change the patient’s personality
“My fear of mental illness was not as much as my fear of people’s perception of me,” with these words a young man in his twenties summarizes his experience with psychological disorder, explaining that social stigma was the main reason for his delay in seeking treatment.
He says he was afraid that anyone would know that he was seeing a psychologist or taking psychiatric medication, because that might prompt others to describe him as “weak” or “crazy.”
He added that what he often heard from those around him were phrases such as: “Take it easy,” “You are just magnifying the issue,” and “Faith alone is enough.” These are words that made him hesitate for a long time to ask for help, and because of them he felt ashamed and guilty, believing that what he was going through was evidence of weakness in his character.
He continues: “After I started treatment, I realized that mental illness is no different from any other illness, and that the medication did not change my personality as I thought, but rather helped me regain my balance and gradually return to my normal life. Only then did I understand that the most difficult step was not taking the medication, but rather breaking the fear of society’s view.”
Despite the growing talk about the importance of mental health in recent years, psychiatric medications are still associated with a segment of society with misconceptions and a social stigma that prompts some patients to delay or stop treatment, fearing the view of others more than their fear of the disease itself.
Clinical psychologist Sarah Al-Badour explains that psychiatric medications have been associated with a social stigma as a result of poor awareness of mental health, and the continued belief that psychological disorders mean weakness or “madness,” even though they are real medical conditions linked to the balance of brain chemistry in addition to psychological and social factors.
Al-Badour confirms that some people are more afraid of psychological treatment than the disease itself, due to fear of society’s view or being classified as mentally ill, which prompts them to avoid or delay seeking help, even though early intervention contributes to greatly improving the chances of recovery.
She points out that one of the most widespread misconceptions is the belief that psychiatric medications change a person’s personality or make him lose feelings and awareness, explaining that their real role is to alleviate symptoms and restore psychological balance, which helps the patient live his life normally.
She also confirms that most psychiatric medications do not cause addiction when used under the supervision of a doctor, pointing out that the problem often arises from random use or sudden cessation of treatment without consulting a specialist.
For his part, Dr. Atef Al-Qassem, a clinical psychologist and head of the Psychological Sciences Association in Jordan, confirms that the social stigma associated with mental illness may often be more severe than the disorder itself, because it drives the patient to be ashamed, isolated, and in denial about his problem, which affects his self-confidence, his social relationships, and his commitment to the treatment plan.
Al-Qassim adds that some patients stop taking treatment as soon as they feel that their symptoms are improving, or because of fear of what people will say, or their belief that the medicine should achieve immediate results, stressing that psychological treatment requires time and continuity, and that stopping medications must be gradual and under the supervision of a specialist doctor.
He stresses that changing society’s outlook begins with simplified scientific education through the media, schools, universities, and social media platforms, and presenting mental illness as a treatable health condition, not a social stigma or evidence of weak personality.
Al-Qassim adds that some patients stop taking treatment as soon as they feel that their symptoms are improving, or because of fear of what people will say, or their belief that the medicine should achieve immediate results, stressing that psychological treatment requires time and continuity, and that stopping medications must be gradual and under the supervision of a specialist doctor.
He stresses that changing society’s outlook begins with simplified scientific education through the media, schools, universities, and social media platforms, and presenting mental illness as a treatable health condition, not a social stigma or evidence of weak personality.
