Mental health has gradually emerged from the shadows in recent
years. Our mental health has been neglected for decades, but it is now
gradually getting the attention it needs. Many myths do, nevertheless, still
exist. Here, we address 11 widespread misunderstandings. There are still
numerous myths and misconceptions around mental health, despite the area
receiving more attention and study.
Regretfully, the stigma surrounding mental health concerns
persists, and much of it is founded on antiquated assumptions and ways of
thinking. The more information we have, like with many other things in life,
the less likely it is that we will let misconceptions influence our decisions.
In the past, society stigmatized those who suffered from mental
health disorders. Some individuals held the view that mental illness was caused
by malevolent spirits or divine vengeance. Although this method of thinking has
mostly been eradicated from society, its influence is still felt everywhere.
The world's mental health has suffered as 2020 proceeds unabatedly.
The need to address myths about our mental health is more important than ever.
We examine 11 widespread misunderstandings about mental health
below.
1.
Mental health issues are rare:
The aforementioned claim was untrue even before the COVID-19
epidemic. The assertion is possibly more false today than it has ever been.
450 million individuals worldwide are dealing with these issues
right now. According to the WHO, mental diseases are "among the major
causes of poor health and disability globally."
More than 264 million individuals worldwide (Trusted Source)
experienced depression in 2017, making it one of the most prevalent mental
health conditions. The percentage of people who experience depression has
quadrupled throughout the epidemic, according to a more recent study that
focuses on the United States.
Another prevalent mental condition called generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) is thought to afflict 6.8 million adults in the United States or
more than 3 in every 100 people.
2.
Anxiety disorders can be fatal:
The symptoms of panic attacks, which include a pounding heart and
an overwhelming sensation of anxiety, are extremely unpleasant. They cannot,
however, cause death immediately.
However, it is important to keep in mind that someone experiencing
a manic episode may be more likely to have a collision. Finding a safe area
might help reduce this danger if someone is having a panic attack or can sense
one coming on.
3.
People who have mental problems cannot work:
The idea that persons with mental health disorders are unable to
maintain employment or contribute to the workforce is an ancient but pervasive
fallacy. This is wholly untrue.
Indeed, a person with a particularly serious mental illness may not
be able to perform normal employment. The majority of those who struggle with
mental illness, meanwhile, are nonetheless capable of being just as productive
as those who are healthy.
A 2014 U.S. study examined occupational position about the severity
of mental illness. "Employment rates declined with increasing mental
disease severity," the scientists discovered, as they had predicted.
However, compared to 75.9% of those without a mental illness, 68.8%
of those with light mental illness, and 62.7% of those with moderate mental illness,
54.5% of those with severe problems were employed.
The employment gap between individuals with a mental health illness
and those without it grew with people's ages as they examined the impact of
age. There was a 1% employment rate differential between individuals with and
without a significant mental illness in the 18 - 25 age group, whereas
there was a 21% discrepancy in the 50 - 64 age
group.
4.
Mental illness is a symptom of vulnerability:
This is untrue, just as it is incorrect to claim that a broken limb
is a sign of weakness. Mental health conditions are illnesses, not personality
faults. A person suffering from depression cannot immediately get better, just
as someone with diabetes or psoriasis cannot.
The contrary is true: It takes a lot of power to battle a mental
health illness.
5. Only
those with no friends require therapy:
Speaking with friends is quite different from organized talking
treatments. Both may offer assistance to those who are suffering from mental
illness, but a skilled therapist can do so in ways that even the closest of
friends cannot equal.
Additionally, not everyone can be completely honest with their
loved ones. Contrary to more casual conversations with untrained friends,
therapy is private, impartial, and fully centered on the person.
Additionally, not everyone has close pals. This might have a
variety of causes, thus it is hardly an excuse to denigrate somebody.
6. Issues with mental health are persistent:
A "life sentence" following a mental health diagnosis is
not always the case. Everybody has a different experience with mental illness.
Some people may experience episodes, but then they return to what they see as
"normal." Others may find treatments that help people take back
control of their lives, such as counseling or prescription medications.
Some people might not feel like they've entirely recovered from a
mental illness, and some can have symptoms that get worse over time.
The principal important point is that numerous patients will
recuperate, either completely or to some degree. It's crucial to keep in mind
that various people have varied definitions of "recovery." Some
people could see recovery as a return to their pre-symptomatic state. Others
may define healing as symptom alleviation and a return to a fulfilling life,
notwithstanding any differences.
7. A
lack of willpower causes addiction:
This assertion is untrue. Drug use problems are viewed as chronic
illnesses by expert dependable source.
Journal of Addictive Behaviors Reports article:
A subjective longitudinal examination looking at the association
between resolution and compulsion restoration is depicted in Confided in
Source. The specialists found that beating habit was not reliant upon one's
ability to resolve. "People with addiction seem to have plenty of
willpower," they write, adding that creating plans to maintain willpower
through environmental management is essential to rehabilitation.
8.
Isolation is a symptom of schizophrenia:
This is incorrect. This misunderstanding may stem from the word
schizophrenia, which means "split mind." According to a reliable
source, when Eugen Bleuler wrote this article in 1908, he tried to "put
the separation and conflict of thought and behavior at the center of the
problem."
Schizophrenia is "an abnormality of thought and feeling,
emotions, speech, self-awareness, and behavior," according to the World
Health Organization. Hallucinations and delusions are examples of these
distortions.
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder Dissociative
Identity Disorder, as it is known, is different from schizophrenia.
9.
Eating disorders only affect women:
There is a myth that eating disorders only affect young, white,
affluent women. But they can affect anyone.
For example, a ten-year study of public views on food showed that
they are changing. The largest increases in prevalence were seen in men, those
from low-income families, and people aged 45 and over.
According to other studies, men now make up 10-25% of the total
population. Cases of anorexia and bulimia nervosa and 25% of patients with
bulimia nervosa.
10.
Having a nutritional problem is a decision:
This lie is dangerous. Malnutrition is a serious mental illness
that can lead to death. Trusted Source
It has a high mortality rate (mortality rate) compared to other
mental illnesses. Anorexia patients are more likely to die from
starvation-related treatment. The second most common cause of death in patients
with anorexia nervosa is suicide.
11.
Anyone with serious mental illness:
Of course, this is a myth. Fortunately, this myth is slowly
dispelling as more and more people become aware of mental health issues. Even
the most serious illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are often silent.
The author of a Trusted Source study examining the link between
mental illness and violence explains why this misperception can extend over
time:
The crisis has attracted media attention [...]. The violence
associated with mental illnesses is particularly emotional, which increases the
stress that surrounds patients in their daily lives.
Conclusion:
There are many mental illnesses, but there are also problems.
Treatment is available. We must work together to eliminate negative thoughts
and stigma around mental illness. Although people's awareness of mental health
issues has increased greatly over the last decade, we still have a long way to
go.
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