Mental illness has always been a topic that people didn’t want to discuss. It’s been shamed upon, as others think people with a mental illness are acting or thinking a certain way on purpose. It is usually caused by a chemical imbalance, a traumatic experience, or a mix of the two. Our society has attached a stigma to mental disorders, making it extremely difficult for people to talk to their family or friends about it if they think they may have depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, etc. It doesn’t mean that you should self-diagnose yourself as soon as you feel sad or nervous, but if it becomes a pattern, then you should be able to talk to someone about it without the risk of being shamed or told to “toughen up.” People who take medication and go to therapy are judged, when it is actually the bravest thing you can do. With judgment comes misconceptions and myths, and here are the seven most common ones.
Myth #1 – Mentally ill people can resolve their issue if they want to.
Fact – Without the right support and services, it is nearly impossible for it to just pass. For a teenager, if their family and friends don’t support them in getting the treatment that they need, they wouldn’t know what to do or where to start. A parent needs to get their child involved with therapy and medication, and if they don’t believe their child, those services won’t get put into place. A supportive environment is necessary.
Myth #2 – People with mental illnesses are weak and are unable to handle things.
Fact – With enough stress, mental illnesses can occur. But that just means that those people were pushed too far in whatever was stressing them out. Traumatic experiences can definitely do that, but the fact that they were able to keep on going during such a rough time shows strength and bravery.
Myth #3 – Kids can’t have mental illnesses.
Fact – Studies have shown that mental illnesses often start early, whether they’re just symptoms or the full experience. They look different between children and adults, which is probably where the misconception comes in. Symptoms for children are isolation, rebelling, refusing to go to school, making rash decisions, getting into the wrong crowd, and experimenting with drugs and alcohol. All of that looks like a kid just acting out, but there can be something underneath that behavior.
Myth #4 – There is no biological evidence for mental illness.
Fact – Studies have consistently shown that 30%-40% of a depressive disorder is due to genetics, and 60%-70% is due to childhood/present experiences. Increased levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) is permanent for someone with depression, while if someone was stressed out for a day or two and it passed, then the levels would go back to normal.
Myth #5 – Everyone goes through depression.
Fact – Most people think that depression is a part of aging and getting older. It is true that depression is extremely common, but only 6.7% of Americans over the age of 18 go through a depressive disorder.
Myth #6 – Mentally ill people are violent and dangerous.
Fact – People who experience mental illnesses are no more violent than anyone else. The truth is, they are more likely to harm themselves or to be harmed than vice versa.
Myth #7 – Mental Illnesses last for life.
Fact – With enough treatment and support, any mental illness can be controlled or tolerated properly. Medication helps just about any mental illness and can take the edge off of toxic thoughts, anxieties, hallucinations, etc. Therapy can help the person realize who they are and discover why the have the mental illness, thus knowing how to resolve it. The two work best together and can be battled if you know your mental illness inside and out!
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