An Interview

For further research, instead of scavenging the internet for information, I wanted to get a more humanistic point of view on what mental illness can be like on a person. Thus, I decided to go to a place that feeds mental illness: the American school system. Seeing as how stress can be a trigger to mental illness, it isn't surprising to hear that 50-70% of adolescents suffer from anxiety, impulse control, and hyperactivity disorders. And one of these stressors can be from the high demand of school or work. For that reason, I interviewed a couple of my friends in order to see how mental disorders affect them.

Interview with G

I: What mental illnesses do you have?
G: I have obsessive compulsive disorder.

I: When were you diagnosed?
G: I was diagnosed with it last year.

I: What are some of the symptoms you have?
G: Intrusive thoughts, irritability, and repetitive behavior.

I: What is it like on a daily basis?
G: On a daily basis it's like, I don't know, feeling like nothing you do is ever complete.

I: Is there any stereotypes that you have faced because of your disorder?
G: People usually ask if I'm super organized all the time.

I: How do you feel about the mental disorders are portrayed in media such as films, shows, news?
G: The media never portrays people with OCD correctly because we're not all just neat freaks.


Interview with A

I:What mental illnesses do you have?

A:  Schizophrenia

When were you diagnosed?

A: When I was a little kid.

What are some of the symptoms you have?

A: Dissolution with reality, voices, hallucinations.

What is it like on a daily basis?

A: It's very intense and unnerving. You're constantly in a loop of trying to understand your own surroundings.

Is there any stereotypes that you have faced because of your disorder?

A: Most [stereotypes] make people with Schizophrenia look like people just hear voices all the time.

How do you feel about the mental disorders are portrayed in media such as films, shows, news?

A:  It's upsetting to see films play these characters as murderous who hear voices to tell them to kill their family. Most people with schizophrenia are at greater risk to themselves than others.


Iliades, C., MD. (2013, April 29). Stress May Trigger Mental Illness and Depression In Teens. Retrieved March 25, 2017, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/stress-may-trigger-mental-illness-and-depression-in-teens.aspx