As old as an issue as it is, mental health is still a relatively new topic of conversation. Especially in the workplace or social groups. There are many myths that have been told about mental health that simply are not true. It’s easy to speculate on what certain issues related to mental health might be but we’re here to lay a lot of that to rest.
Common myths about mental health come from lack of understanding, outdated practices/beliefs, error in translation and ignorance. Understanding mental health isn’t just reserved for those with a mental health condition.
Check out the below twelve common myths about mental health. We’ll also discuss a few facts about mental health, common topics of conversation around it and a handful of mental health examples.
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1. People With Mental Health Issues Are Crazy
Having a mental health issue or disorder does not mean that someone is “crazy”. It’s true that they are not in good mental health, but that does not mean that act irrationally all the time and are insane.
Having a mental illness is like having any type of illness. There are legitimate causes that (usually) happen outside pf one’s control. Also, treatment is typically advised just as it would be with any other ailment.
Of course, there are certain types of mental health disorders where someone could become insane, but generalizing all mental health conditions as someone being “crazy” is incorrect and ignorant.
When someone is actually crazy, they will be deranged and aggressive. This may happen when someone experiences psychosis or in an extreme case of a personality disorder.
2. Mental Health Issues Cannot Be Cured
Most mental health issues are curable. Typically certain forms of psychotherapy, medication and rehabilitation programs will be recommended depending on the individual case. Many people think that mental health issues such as personality disorder are too intense to be cured.
Typically, personality disorders are caused from some form of trauma which leads to anxiety, depression and/or other issues. A personality disorder may then develop from all of this. Usually severe trauma is the cause behind it, however personality disorders can be caused from other pre-existing factors or conditions.
Much of the time, the individual’s state of mind has a lot to do with it as well. If one is proactive and aware, they can prevent a disorder from forming by taking proactive measures. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression alone are often very curable with continued treatment.
It is typically a combination of obtaining a correct chemical balance, mindset, personal development and working with a therapist that will determine the success rate.
3. All People With Mental Health Issues Are Dangerous
This myth is absolutely false. While it’s true that many mental health disorders can cause people to become irrational, not all people struggling with this will become dangerous. Even if someone is suffering from a psychotic break and are experiencing hallucinations or delusions, it does not necessarily mean that they will become violent.
Many people experiencing psychosis from illegal drugs may become violent as the chemical regulations in their brain will not be able to properly function. This often leads to scary or seemingly life-threatening delusions/hallucinations.
In this case, people have been known to become violent as their experienced is altered so severely that they truly believe they are under attack from something, fighting for their lives or that people/things are trying to harm them. Unfortunately, many cases of mental illness involve self-harm.
This is seen especially with those who feel they cannot receive help. They may resort to self harm as a desperate cry for help, a way to release emotion or because they so anxious and unsettled that it seems like the only way to comfort themselves.
4. Only Adults Can Have Mental Health Issues
Children can experience anxiety, depression, eating disorders and more. Sometimes, it might be hard to distinguish if a child or teem is acting out or behaving abnormally simply due to their age and lack of maturity.
Because this is often true, it might be harder for parents to be able to distinguish what is “normal” behavior and what is not. There are several key symptoms that children and teens display when they’re struggling with mental health issues.
Anxiety, eating disorders and bipolar disorder in children/teens are some of the most common mental health struggles commonly seen. Often borderline personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder are a couple among other personality disorders that have been known to develop as a result of children who experience mental health struggles.
Eating disorders have also been known to develop in children that struggle with the same issues. Common eating disorder symptoms tend to be seen more in female teens who are struggling with a low sense of self-esteem, trauma, abuse and more. If unusual or persisting behavior persists, it might be a sign that something is wrong.
Getting help for our children is an essential part of ensuring that they do not develop more severe disorders later on life.
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5. Mental Health Issues Are Always Genetic
Not always. Certain personality traits that lead to anxiety and OCD are most common when it comes to what can be “passed down”. Environment and traumatic childhood experiences have a lot to do with if someone might develop a mental health issue later in life.
Also, if a parent is aware of their condition and proactively seeks treatment, they are able to correct the physical changes that their brain has undergone and can turn that pattern around for future generations.
Instances where mental illnesses have been past down can be corrected as the child enters adulthood and leaves the environment where the mental conditions were developed. Often, it takes stepping away from the unhealthy environment for the child to experience a healthier way of life.
With treatment and self-awareness the child (now an adult most likely) can establish mental health for generations to come.
6. People With Anxiety Issues Are Just Being Dramatic
We all know someone who goes out of their way to make sure people see/hear them. And while some people are naturally dramatic and attention seeking, those with anxiety are forced into their uncomfortable situations without choice.
Individuals with anxiety issues experience legitimate episodes of severe anxiety and/or panic attacks. This can be triggered by sounds, surroundings, smells or anything else that resonates negatively to someone with anxiety issues.
The range of severity can vary by individual and also per situation. Often, people with anxiety issues will refuse to be “babied” but it’s important to understand their triggers and be willing to accommodate their needs.
7. Therapy Is For “Crazy” People
It’s time to lay the “crazy” stigma to rest. As mentioned in the 3rd myth on those with mental health issues being dangerous, there are too many variables to stereotype people with mental health issues as generally “crazy” or dangerous.
The stigma of being crazy comes from the irrational outbursts that can be seen in certain situations. As previously mentioned this is typically only when someone is experiencing psychosis or is irritated to the point of lashing out.
The irritation may come from obsessions, extreme anxiety or paranoid thoughts that the individual does not wish to experience. It’s enough to drive anyone to the point of aggravation or anger.
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8. People With Depression Just Need To Stop Feeling “Sorry For Themselves”
If you’re at all familiar with depression, you may have read that and thought “No one actually thinks that people are just feeling sorry for themselves”.
Unfortunately that is not always the case. Dealing with the extreme lows that can be experienced with depression are unimaginable to come people who have never felt that way. Some people have never felt what it’s like to have a seemingly perfect life yet feel like your world is falling apart around you and there is nothing worth getting out of bed for.
People with depression experience a wide scale of feelings and thoughts similar to this. They might feel sorry for themselves due to the pain, but they truly are in an immense amount of it. They can’t just “snap out of it” at any given moment. It’s a chemical imbalance in their brain so it’s quite literally “physically impossible” for them to do so.
9. “Real” Mental Health Issues are Very Rare
Unfortunately, mental health issues are more common than you might think. There are thousands of people that don’t even know they have them. So many struggle with anxiety and/or periodic depression and just think that that’s how life is.
Aside from that, most anyone you know has experienced some form of trauma in their life. Depending on the individual and pre-existing conditions, this can result in more severe mental health issues later on if not properly treated.
10. Talking About Your Mental Health Struggles Means You’re Weak
Being vulnerable and talking about anything you’re struggling with is extremely brave, not weak. Being open enough to discuss a mental health issue is the first step toward getting help and recovery.
If someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue and is open to talk about it, make sure they know you’re open to a supportive conversation. Offering a safe space to talk about it is a great way to show your support.
11. If You Have A Mental Illness Your Whole Life Is Disrupted
There are plenty of treatment options that will help manage daily symptoms for many forms of mental health issues/disorders. Having a mental illness is disruptive in the way that it often effects many daily activities and how you live your life, but it doesn’t have to completely run the show.
Working with a professional therapist will help you break harmful mental health cycles that occur in everyday life. Many people with mental health issues are extremely productive and lead successful lives.
12. You Will Not Have Mental Health Issues If Your Life Is “Perfect”
Having the “perfect” life does not mean that you won’t ever struggle with a mental health issue. Anxiety effects all of us at one point or another in life. A personality or eating disorder could develop depending on past experiences.
It’s not necessarily “better” for one person or another, but struggling with a mental health issue when you have a seemingly perfect life can be an extremely lonely experience. Many might feel like they shouldn’t complain and that they don’t “deserve” to have anything be wrong.
This is a dangerous place to be as an individual in this scenario might not reach our help. They might develop severe depression or become suicidal as a result.
What Are 3 Facts About Mental Health?
- Less than half of people that are diagnosed with some type of mental health disorder seek help. This is due to the negative stigma around mental health. It’s time to change the stigma! Receiving help for mental health issues should be normalized and supported.
- More than 800,000 people commit suicide from mental health related issues each year. A large portion of that statistic are teens and young adults.
- Members of the LGBTQ community are significantly more likely to have a mental health condition than people who are straight. This could be due to childhood trauma or other severe experiences from their past.
What Are The 5 Examples Of Mental Health?
Mental health issues come in a variety of forms and levels of severity. Below are a few of the most commonly seen forms.
- Seasonal Affective Depression – SAD is one of the more common/mild forms of continued depression. It comes and goes with the seasons. Contrary to popular belief, SAD can be experienced in the warmer seasons instead of the colder.
- Emotional Detachment – Emotional detachment occurs as a defense mechanism of some people who have been abused or neglected. They will rarely show affection, will avoid conflict and will create distance from you.
- Bipolar Disorder – Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder where the individual experiences manic and depressive phases. Manic and depressive phases may occur in short bursts of time, few or multiple times per year. They may also last for weeks or months, depending on the individual case.
- Paranoid Personality Disorder – People with PPD will act like everyone is “out to get them”. They will avoid giving out personal information, tend to cause confrontation and over analyze body language.
- Compulsive Overeating – Those with COD tend to eat when they’re not hungry. They will also consume portions of food that many would consider unreasonable and they would be so often. They may prefer to eat alone and have been known to hide food so others don’t know how much/often they’re eating.
Anxiety attacks and dealing with anxiety in general are one of several difficulties that come along with a variety of mental health issues.
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