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Mental Health Disorders impact millions of people across the world, having no bias on race, age, or economic status. Statistics show that roughly 1 in 5 American adults have at some point in their lives been impacted by mental health issues. This is less so in younger individuals, with statistics demonstrating 1 in 10 youth have been impacted.
Every day, we are surrounded by common myths and misconceptions about mental health that impact the ability of people to take mental health seriously and downplay the impacts of mental health in the lives of others.
Defining Mental Health
Mental Health is defined as the wellbeing of an individual, encompassing their emotional, social, and psychological state. Mental Health has the ability to impact an individual’s outlook on life, themselves, and their loved ones. Common mental health issues may include some of the following:
- Anxiety disorders: These disorders may include panic disorder, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Mood disorders: These disorders include illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder.
- Personality disorders: Disorders in this category some of the following personality disorders: antisocial, narcissistic, paranoid, and dependent.
- Eating disorders: These may include disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating discover.
- Trauma-related disorders: Some of these may include acute stress disorder (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reactive attachment disorder (RAD).
- Substance abuse disorders: These may include several substance-induced conditions such as sexual dysfunction, mood disorders, delirium, and dementia.
- Psychotic disorders: Some of these disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder.
Warning signs of Mental Health Issues
There are many signs that potentially demonstrate mental health issues in a person. Some of these signs may include:
- Overeating and sleeping
- Consistently having no or limited energy
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless
- Hearing imaginary voices
- Wanting to perform self-harm
- Difficulty understanding and relating to people
- Changes in sex drive
- Unwarranted danger and violence
- Extreme mood changes
These signs are only a couple in a list of the many ways an individual may react to mental health issues. Every individual is different and may express their own signs, usually out of their normal character.
Please be aware of these signs as you or someone you love may be experiencing them now.
Myths and Misconceptions about Mental Health
- People with mental health issues are violent and dangerous.
While it’s true that some individuals with mental health issues may be violent this is not true for all. Studies show that individuals affected by mental health problems are more likely to be a victim of violence rather than a perpetrator.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is only associated with military vets.
While PTSD is common in many veterans from the military, it is not only associated with these individuals. PTSD may be caused by many other factors including childhood sexual abuse, childhood trauma, substance abuse, and any other forms of long-lasting trauma. With all of these potential causes, PTSD has the potential to affect many individuals from various backgrounds.
- All psychiatric medications are harmful.
Many people believe that psychiatric mediations are harmful and don’t do anything other than harm the individual taking the medications. This is not true when medications are properly taken by individuals that have been diagnosed with the proper illness and are taking the correct medications and doses. These medications, for some, can save lives and are sometimes necessary for basic survival allowing many patients to live a normal life.
- People with mental health conditions cannot work or make a positive impact on society.
With treatment, therapy, or some form of care, many individuals suffering from mental health illnesses are able to return to their daily lives and go to work, school, and other affairs. Having mental illnesses does not automatically mean you can’t be a very influential member on society. Many celebrities, actors, and well-known business leaders are certainly impacted by mental health every day.
- Therapy does not work and does not help those with mental health problems.
With so many forms of therapy available, many people have sought psychiatrists for professional help. One form of therapy, known as psychotherapy is used to help improve behaviors and emotions, helping individuals create positive links in the brain. Studies show that 75% of individuals who enter psychotherapy have noted benefits of the treatment. Similarly, other forms of therapy have also produced many positive cases, helping people recover from trauma, divorce, and other stressors.
- Mental health can be cured with a simple pill.
Mental health illnesses are often not curable, however, for many conditions, the symptoms can be treated to help individuals live a normal life. In addition, for those that don’t want to take medications, options such as therapy exists to help learn about problems and ways to deal with pain, trauma, or stress.
Understanding Facts
Despite these common myths and misconceptions, it’s important to talk to a health care provider about the facts when it comes to your mental health. Each individual has a different body chemistry and will react uniquely to different environmental factors, medications, and stressors.
Bottom Line
Mental health should be taken seriously. It’s important to not let myths get in the way of someone being treated for any conditions they may have or be pre-disposed to. Without a clear victim, we all can be affected by mental health issues during our lifetime and may need the help of someone else to guide us on the right path for care, nurture, and treatment.
As such, it is all of our duties to take a role in ridding ourselves of these misconceptions.
