I myself have been guilty of stereotyping those with mental illness and I have Bipolar! My therapist allowed me to recognize that these stereotypes were interring with my road to recovery because I couldn't reach acceptance. I'm still getting there but I've made a lot of improvement.

I grew up under scrutiny. My family doesn't accept you if you don't act the way they believe is proper. I was always the black sheep so I was disliked. Loved but not approved of. I think this fostered my stereotypes. I used to think those with mental illness were crazy and rediculous. A big stereotype I struggled with was my goal of becoming a nurse. I thought how can I be a nurse with Bipolar? It was discouraging until my therapist said there were a lot of bipolar people working as nurses at the hospital I want to work at. Now I want to be a doctor