Illness Representation in Media

peasantaries:

HI there friends! I hope you aren’t all put-off by Tumblr’s craziness and are still here.

I’m writing a journalism feature on the representation as well as misrepresentation of illnesses in media – be that social media such as Twitter, or books and movies such as the rising ‘Sick-Lit’ genre. This takes into account all illnesses such as mental health problems (anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc), and my team are also focusing on the very dismissed sleep disorder of insomnia! 

I would love to hear thoughts – what are your experiences of seeing your illness represented? Has social media given you an outlet for your issues, or do you feel it allows people to trivialise your illness? Do TV shows such as 13 Reasons Why romanticise your very real problems or do you actually find comfort in seeing your struggles portrayed?

I have had Crohn’s Disease for a long time and so I want to do this topic justice and canvass an array of voices, as I know people can feel very differently when it comes to the things they suffer!

Message me here or email me at 

margaret.mcdonald.2016@uni.strath.ac.uk to get in touch! Thanks so much! You are saving a poor student ❤