Myths about mental illness
Many people do not really understand what mental illness is all about.
Here are some of the most common myths you might have come across.
- Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just crazy.
- People with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are usually dangerous and violent.
- Mental illness is the result of bad parenting.
- Depression results from a personality weakness or character flaw, so people who are depressed could just snap out of it if they tried hard enough.
- Schizophrenia means “split personality” and there is no way to control it.
- Depression is a normal part of the aging process.
- Depression and other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, do not affect children or adolescents. Any problems they have are just a part of growing up.
- If you have a mental illness, you can “will” it away. Having a psychiatric disorder means you have “failed” or you are “weak.”
- Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just crazy.
- Brain disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively.
- People with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are usually dangerous and violent.
- Violence in people who have a brain disorder is not much higher than it is in the general population. Rather than violent, those suffering from a psychosis such as schizophrenia are more often frightened, confused, and despairing.
- Depression results from a personality weakness or character flaw, so people who are depressed could just snap out of it if they tried hard enough.
- Depression has nothing to do with being lazy or weak. It results from changes in brain chemistry or brain function. Medication and psychotherapy can often help people to recover from depression.
- Schizophrenia means “split personality” and there is no way to control it.
- Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the ability to think clearly and logically. The estimated 60 million people around the world with schizophrenia have symptoms ranging from social withdrawal to hallucinations and delusions. Medication has helped many of these individuals to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
- Depression is a normal part of the aging process.
- It is not normal for older adults to be depressed. Signs of depression in older people include a loss of interest in activities, problems with sleep and extreme tiredness. Depression in the elderly is often undiagnosed. It is important for older adults and their family members to recognise the problem and seek professional help.
- Depression and other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, do not affect children or adolescents. Any problems they have are just a part of growing up.
- Children and adolescents can develop severe mental illnesses and often do not receive the necessary treatment. Left untreated, these problems can get worse. Any child who talks about suicide should be taken very seriously.
