The media often portrays people with personality disorders as dangerous, erratic, and unpredictable. The creation of this perception is not only wrong but also can be dangerous. This depiction can also be damaging to those who have personality disorders. However, there are many ways of overcoming this media-generated stigma.
How the Media Negatively Skews Public Perception Toward Personality Disorders
With the overwhelming amount of media in people’s lives, it is not surprising that there has been an increase in scrutiny regarding how that glut of media is negatively affecting individual mental health. This increased interest in media and mental health correlation even caused the Surgeon General to issue a detailed Advisory on Youth Mental Health in 2021. It is nice to know that people are not only aware of the problem but are also addressing it.
Whether watching television, surfing the internet, or interacting with social media on a device, personality disorders are often depicted negatively. This can come in the form of misrepresentation or misclassification of a particular disorder. It can also come in the form of depicting personality disorders in an extreme, often violent, light. For those suffering from personality disorders, this negative attention and misrepresentation can be rather harmful.
However, it should be a relief to know that there are ways to navigate these harmful stigmas. It starts with understanding that those depictions are neither factual nor grounded in reality.
Overcoming the Media-Generated Stigma Surrounding Personality Disorders
If you suffer from a personality disorder, you have many options for receiving help. To get that help, however, your voice must be heard. If something that you experience online or view on television bothers you, it is important to express this to someone you trust.
Also, it may be nice to hear that some media companies are making changes to better address these stigmas. A 2018 study in Germany showed that students interacting with Instagram (and other picture-sharing platforms) showed a positive correlation between its media and mental health. It may be a small step, but it is a step in the right direction.
These can be trying times for those dealing with personality disorders. These struggles can seem all the more difficult when every time you look at your phone, turn on the television, or go online, you are faced with misinformation. Please know, however, that your situation can and will get better with the proper care. The staff at The Guest House want to help; you merely need to ask. For more information, please call (855) 483-7800 to learn more about our treatment options.