Mental Illness and the Media

Abnormal Psychology Book Kearney &Trull (2015). Abnormal Psychology and Life A dimensional Approach 2nd ed. Stamford, C: Cengage Learning.
Your assignment: Review the information on disorders in your final chapters as well as chapter 10, pages 291-303 in preparation for this assignment. As you have read the material for the past few weeks, have you been reminded of anyone that you suspect might be diagnosed into one of the personality disorder categories such as Paranoid Personality Disorder, Schizoid/Schizotypal Personality Disorder, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Anxious/Fearful, Dependent, or Obsessive-Compulsive? What about other diagnoses from our final chapters on the Developmental and Cognitive disorders such as Autism, Mental Retardation, or Asperger"s?

In your assignment this week, share your thoughts. You may write about yourself, a family member, or even a famous person that you suspect or know has one of these diagnoses or tendencies. Think about how these disorders are portrayed in the media.

Do you think the media portrays the experience accurately? Why or why not? Is it portrayed respectfully; too seriously; with too much humor? Do you think there is an unnecessary stigma attached to mental illness? How might this affect a person in treatment?