10 Popular Myths About Mental Health
Over the last few years, mental health has grabbed the headlines. Because of the pandemic and otherwise, mental well-being is no longer talked about in whispers or hidden like skeletons in the cupboard. After centuries of being taboo, it is slowly but surely being talked about. Many myths still abound. Unfortunately, the archaic thinking and medieval presumptions still have a major shame connected to mental health. Comprehensive knowledge would lead to awareness and then these myths need to be busted. 10 Popular Myths About Mental Health point out that the fabricated truths involving mental well-being need to be cleared.
The mental health of people around the world has taken centre stage after the pandemic.
Let us delve into 10 Popular Myths About Mental Health
1. Mental Health Problems Are Rare
This statement is far from the truth. We brush it under the carpet or ignore the elephant in the room. Depression, the most common mental health problem, has tripled. Presently, 450 million are suffering and the numbers are only going to increase.
2. Mental Illness Can Kill A Person
Even kids facing their first day at school or an exam are having panic attacks. Panic attacks can be absurdly distressing. Panic is an outcome of fear and involves rapid palpitations. Yet, they are not life-threatening.
3. Work and Mental Health Don’t go Together
It is a continual myth that mentally ill people cannot take a job. This is totally false. Persons with severe symptoms temporarily go off the radar. A sizeable number are efficient at their jobs, just like ordinary people.
4. Mental Illness is a Sign of Weakness
This is a common myth and the patient believes that he/she brought it upon themselves at a weak moment. Just like we have heart disease or a kidney stone problem, mental illness is the same. The melancholy mood or irrational behaviour does mark mental illness. It is not an illness anyone wants to have, nor is it the outcome of stubbornness or a grumpy attitude. Just a mental illness. It has nothing to do with a weak character. It is difficult to snap out of. One needs to battle it out.
5. People Will Label me Mad If I Look For Treatment.
When we have a viral, we rush to the hospital for medical help. In the same way, one should not wait to seek treatment for any mental illness. Because of the stigma and lack of knowledge of the mental illness. People view and label it as madness and ridicule the patient. Going for treatment is a sign of strength and not weakness.
6. Stress Leads to Mental Illness
This is true only to a minimal extent. Stress could set off an episode or lead to depression or anxiety. But continual symptoms seem to be biological. There could be myriad reasons for mental illness, but it is still now clear what the exact reason could be.
7. You Can Snap Out Of Mental Illness By Being Positive And Praying.
This could be partially true for a small percentage of people who react impetuously to problematic situations. Mandatory treatment and support can help a mentally ill person recover. To some extent, spirituality and faith can give strength to a few people to snap out of it.
8. Mentally Ill People Are Dangerous
The movies and media have caricatured mentally ill patients resorting to violence and bouts of anger. In reality, the mentally ill are rather quiet and withdrawn.
9. Mentally Ill Patients Are Left On The Streets or Locked Up In An Asylum.
Another exaggerated scenario is that mentally ill patients cannot live peacefully at home, so they live on the streets or in an asylum. 70% of the mentally ill recover and live with their families. Some may need hospitalization for a short period, but they do return home and live a normal life. Few with severe mental health issues leave the house in a deranged state. But if we give them the treatment, it would surely cure them.
10. Mental Illness is Irreversible
It is not the end of the world if they diagnosed someone with a mental illness. Some people probably will go through brief episodes and then bounce back to normalcy. Others may find solace in medication and help them return to their normal form. For chronic mentally ill patients, recovery is just between episodes. But most people recover and lead a normal life.
The bottom line is that mental health conditions are universal. There is a treatment for all kinds of mental illnesses. Instead of propagating the taboo, stigma, or myths, we should draw attention to the reality of mental health issues.
My previous post on the Blogchatter Blog Hop is a Story-Twin Souls- Message in a Bottle and 4 things about today’s world that puzzle me. Let’s Toss-read versus Write.
This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop.
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@wordsmithkaur
@wordsmithkaur
Mental health myths can be life threatening when it prevents people from getting help.Good job busting myths
Very well said. Mental Illness is looked in many different ways. But the more we talk about it, it will break these myths.
How much effort we are going to put in creating an awareness it’s always going to be less. As these stigma’s are do deep rooted that we need constant reminders. You have mentioned everything and I am glad you wrote about it as I already said we need reminders.
Great post and I agree all these myths are common about mental health in our society,. people often think that having a mental illness is a sign of weakness and others will make their fun, if they get open up regarding it. luckily things are changing in recent times. I hope things get more better in future and mental illnesses remain no taboo in our society.
Being a holistic wellness coach I have come across many such myths myself. I have tried my best go break this barrier but my own family was adamant in thinking that counselling is a waste of time
I can totally relate with the myths. Especially mental illness is a weakness. This thought has created a taboo in getting the treatment
Mental health is something which now we all are finally talking about and these myths really need to be broken. Thanks for bringing this out!!
Such a wonderful post that one should read not only to feel good about oneself but also for a better understanding of mental health. Its just like our health issues, which can be treated with love, care and medication. I hope everyone realise that its not a sign of weakness but strength to accept it
These myths surrounding the mental health sometimes become roadblock for people suffering from it to get help. Glade u wrote an article to bust these myths
Breaking myth about mental illness is very important and your post is related to many. I liked the creative that has affirmations and shunning away all the negative statements by the society
A great post indeed. Yes stress can lead to depression or anxiety but cannot lead directly lead to mental illness. Also that mental illness doesn’t lead everyone to mental facilities.