Public Sympathy Varies Across Mental Health Conditions Due to Familiarity and Fear

Public sympathy for mental health conditions varies, with widely recognized disorders like anxiety, depression, and ADHD receiving more understanding, while conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain personality disorders face greater stigma. Research indicates that familiarity influences empathy, and fear often drives negative perceptions, especially when behaviors do not fit common mental illness narratives. Incidents like the Baftas Tourette's case highlight how limited public understanding and stereotypes contribute to moral judgments and social distancing.