There is much that is said, that is written, that we believe, and little that is really understood. The topic of mental disorders is quite sensitive, and the myths around it are big. What are their truths about mental disorders after all?
1st Myth: Mental disorders are rare!
Did you know that 1 in 4 people, will face a mental illness problem at some point in their life?
2nd Myth: There is nothing we can do to help someone suffering from a mental disorder!
There are actually many things we could do to support this person, including listening without judging, continuing to behave in the same way – as if nothing had changed -, asking again to show interest.
3rd Myth: People with mental disorders are not capable of working!
Not only are they capable, but they can also have a successful job. It is very likely that we are all working with someone who is dealing with a mental health problem right now.
4th Myth: They cannot recover from a mental illness.
Yes, there is a possibility that someone who struggles with a mental illness may not be cured completely and forever, but they can still work, have a family and live a full life!
5th Myth: People with mental illness are violent and unpredictable.
Usually, these people – even if they are diagnosed with a serious illness such as schizophrenia – are more likely to be victims of violence than to perpetrate it themselves.
6th Myth: Teenagers face mood disorders due to their puberty without any particular cause for concern!
Did you know that 1 in 8 young people struggle with a mental illness problem?
7th Myth: All mental health professionals are the same!
As in all professions, here too the fields and specializations stand out. The help and support that a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist or a mental health counselor can offer is different.
8th Myth: People with mental illness look different!
There are people next to us every day who may be dealing with some mental illness, such as anxiety or depression and we may not have realized it!
9th Myth: Mental illnesses are all equally serious or similar!
In fact, the most common forms of mental illness are depression and anxiety, which have nothing to do with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder! So they are not all equally serious and they are not alike!
10th Myth: Psychiatric clinics do more harm than good!
The truth is that clinical facilities differ from each other in the quality and medical care they provide, just as the treatment varies depending on the problem.
There are many myths about mental disorders and they often stigmatize people who experience them. It is important not to believe everything we hear and to try to understand the truth behind it!
*Photo by Sydney Sims
