Stereotypes can affect mental health in a variety of ways. For example, being stereotyped can cause people to behave differently or develop negative beliefs about themselves. Stereotypes can even shape how people deal with mental health issues, impacting their likelihood of developing mental disorders and whether they feel comfortable seeking help.
We can all probably think of a few stereotypes off the top of our heads. Stereotyping is a widespread behavior, often done to assess social situations quickly and easily. In psychology, stereotypes refer to fixed, generalized beliefs about groups of people. Stereotypes can be both positive and negative, although negative stereotypes tend to be more common.
Where do Stereotypes Come From?
We often use stereotypes, both consciously and unconsciously, to make sense of the world around us. In a world where we have to process an enormous amount of social stimuli, this makes it easier for us to react quickly to new people and situations. This tendency to categorize people has often been exploited by governments and other power structures which use it to turn one group of people against another.
How Can Stereotypes Affect Mental Health?
Stereotypes are often part of larger societal beliefs, power structures, and historical processes. As such, stereotypes can affect the opportunities people have access to, their values and ideas, and how they feel about themselves.
Davidson County residents who visited this depression therapist in Nashville, TN learned how creating such beliefs can be damaging to both mental health and the extent to which individuals feel integrated into their communities. It can result in people feeling alienated, discriminated against, or even excluded from participating fully in society.
Stereotype Threat
The idea of stereotype threat refers to a situation in which a person fears that they may inadvertently confirm a negative stereotype. Studies have shown that people perform differently on tests when reminded of stereotypes around themselves.
This happens because of the anxiety and emotional distress that people experience when worrying about these stereotypes. If a person finds themselves in situations where they are stereotyped frequently, this can impact their overall mental health.
Self-Stereotyping
Stereotypes can have significant impacts on the way that people see themselves. Negative stereotypes can lead to lower self-confidence, limiting beliefs, and even mental health issues. For example, a UK report found gender stereotypes to be one of the root causes of issues with body image and eating disorders among women and rising suicide rates among men.
Stereotypes About Mental Health
While stereotypes can impact a person’s likelihood of developing mental health disorders, they can also affect how people deal with mental health issues. For example, people often avoid seeking mental health treatment due to the stigma surrounding many mental health conditions. In addition, stereotypes can also impact people’s comfort levels when engaging in healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, counseling, and speaking about emotional issues.
In addition, negative stereotypes within a gender, culture, age, or other groups can discourage people in that group from seeking mental health treatment. People may avoid acknowledging and dealing with mental health issues out of a fear of being ostracized or excluded from their identity groups.
Addressing the Impact of Stereotypes
In order to address the negative impact that stereotypes can have on ourselves and others, it’s essential to examine our own biases. Many of us have internalized stereotypes about ourselves and others without even realizing it. Once you start to examine the stereotypes present in the world around you, you can begin to challenge harmful thought patterns, understand the impacts of stereotypes, and help others harmed by negative stereotypes.
About the author:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
