Mental Health: Myths VS Facts

Myth: Mental illness is caused by a personal weakness.

Fact:

A mental illness is not a character flaw. It is caused by genetic, biological, social and environmental factors. Seeking and accepting help is a sign of strength.

Myth: People with a mental illness never get better.

Fact:

With the right kind of help, most people do recover and lead healthy, productive and satisfying lives.

Myth: People with a mental illness can pull themselves out of it.

Fact:

A mental illness is not caused by personal weakness and is not cured by personal strength.

Myth: People with a mental illness should be kept in hospital.

Fact:

With appropriate treatment and support, people with mental illness can live successfully in the community. In fact, the majority of people with a mental illness live independently in the community.

Zara this is an amazing thread! Thanks for the tag ❤ theres a lovely video about this over here by BuzzFeed about what would happen if physical illnesses were treated like mental ones. now I apologise for not having too many myths to contribute to this wonderful thread, but here are a few very upsetting ones that I've just got to add in:

myth: depressed people can 'just get happier'

fact: depression is not something you can get around that quickly. Its like telling someone at the foot of moun Everest to "just fly" - it doesn't work that way.

Myth: anti depressants are a lie

fact: depression is clinical, and actually genetic. So anti depressants are going to hhelp, and you shouldn't put people down if they're telling you how much of an improvement these pills are giving them.

Myth: depression is just sadness and is nothing to worry about/ easy to cure

fact: depression is mmore than plain old sadness. Its omnipresent, and some even like to describe it as a fear of the past.

Myth: depressed people are easy to spot

fact: the majority of us depressed people are able to hide depression easily. Its so easy to hide, which makes it harder to get help. And the stigma makes it worse. Its like spotting a black grain of sand on a beach, you've gotta go in with a magnifying glass.

to anyone reading this: you are more than the obstacles your mind puts up. ❤❤❤❤❤

Myth: Mental illness is mostly experienced by people with a lack of faith / no religious affiliation.

Fact: The lack of faith / religious affiliation doesn't cause mental illness.

Mental Health Myth Video

MYTH Kids cant get depression and anxiety disorders, only adults can.
FACT Kids can develop a mental illness, like depression and anxiety disorders. This can happen to anyone at any age. Mental illnesses may look different in children than in adults, but they are a real concern. Mental illnesses can impact the way young people learn and build skills, which can lead to challenges in the future. Unfortunately, many children dont receive the help they need.

MYTH Kids only get a mental illness because they have bad parents.
FACT Mental illness is not caused by doing something wrong. Also, you cant cause someone else to have a mental illness. Doctors think that mental illness is caused by a mix of whats going on in your body and whats happening around you.

MYTH Mental illness is the same as being mentally disabled (sometimes incorrectly called mental retardation).
FACT Mental illness has nothing to do with how smart you are. A mental disability is a cognitive disability which means its a different journey with different challenges. Its still important to treat all people with respect, because you dont know what life is like in their shoes.

MYTH Having a mental illness means youre a wimp who cant handle life.
FACT Your personality or ability to handle your feelings does not cause mental illness. Mental illness isnt just in your head or something that goes away if you try hard. The right combination of what helps is different for each person. Once they find something that helps them, most people with a mental illness live healthy, full lives.

MYTH People with mental health challenges have to take special tests to get a job or go to college.
FACT People with mental health challenges do not have to take special tests to get into college, get a house, or get a job. They can work and learn and do all the things that people without mental health challenges can do.

MYTH People with mental illnesses have trouble handling school work, a job, and daily tasks.
FACT It is common for all people to sometimes have trouble at school, at home, at jobs and feel sometimes like they dont know what to do. No matter what, its good to talk to others and learn what works best for you. What helps you calm down? What makes you happy and what makes you sad? Knowing these things will help you find a way to do well in school and life.

MYTH If you have a mental illness, it will be harder to get an apartment or house once you grow up and you wont be able to live on your own.
FACT All mental illnesses are different, but being diagnosed with one will not keep you from being able to grow up, learn how to take care of yourself, and get an apartment or house like everyone else.

MYTH Talking about your mental health challenge is a waste of time. Its better to just take medicine.
FACT If you have a broken leg, it will not get better with just aspirin. It also takes time and exercise and hard work. In a way, having a mental illness is the same. You have to be patient, get help, and talk about it – and youll start to feel better, too.

MYTH Mental illness is more common in some racial groups than others.
FACT Mental illness can happen to anyone. It doesnt matter what you look like, where you live or where you are from.

MYTH I cant help someone with a mental illness. Only a doctor can.
FACT You can help people who have a mental illness. Dont call people words like crazy or mental. If you know people with mental health challenges, try to get to know them and notice their talents and skills, not just their illness. Learn about mental wellness and share it with others. If you hear something that isnt true, dont be afraid to speak up and talk about what is true.

There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.

Myth: Children don't experience mental health problems.

Fact: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.

Fact: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees.

Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover.

Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and they work.

Myth: I can't do anything for a person with a mental health problem.

Fact: Friends and loved ones can make a big difference. Only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental health problems and less than 20% of children and adolescents receive needed treatment. Friends and family can be important influences to help someone get the treatment

MYTH: If you're recovered you no longer have a mental illness or its symptoms. You've done your time and now you're perfectly healthy.

FACT: Recovery is different to everyone, but you don't get rid of the mental illness or its symptoms. You learn what your symptoms are, how to handle them better, and how to prevent them, if possible.

Nothing to add at the moment, just wanted to say that you are all amazing beautiful strong people! You are all bang on, and hopefully through the efforts of people like all of you, these myths can disappear.

Myth: Executive function is a matter of will

Fact: Most of these functions are not under conscious control

Myth: ADHD medication always are addictive

Fact: If taken in excessive quantites or otherwise missued they can be addictive

Myth: People with High IQ do no have executive function impairments

Fact: IQ has no relationship with executive function impairments

Myth: Modern imaging can provide enough information to diagnose ADHD

Fact: They are not sufficiently developed or normed to make them valid

Reference: Brown, T. (2013). A new understanding of ADHD in children and adults.

I love this thread and agree so very much with it.