Doctors continue to solve some of the mysteries of the brain, but many of its functions remain a puzzle. It has been discovered that mental illness is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and there have been many advancements in the treatment of these illnesses. Since many people with mental illnesses suffer from behavioral symptoms, they are often thought of differently than those with physical illness. Instead of compassion and support, many people with mental illnesses are greeted by unsympathetic, unfair, or hostile responses. This intolerance is due to the stigma that accompanies mental illness.
Society often perceives people with mental illnesses as strange, scary, or even dangerous.
The media is responsible for much of the misconceptions regarding people with mental illnesses. Television and newspapers stress a history of mental illness in the backgrounds of people who commit violent crimes. Comedians use the disabilities of people with mental illnesses as a source of humor. Advertisements use stigmatizing images as promotional gimmicks in order to sell products. Movies use mental illnesses to sensationalize plots.