All About the Psyche

Many people won’t just come out of the dark to admit that they have a mental health problem. Being labeled as someone “crazy” is stressful enough and only a few very open-minded folks can truly understand. There are more people who are suffering mental illness today due to the super demanding lifestyle that had pushed many to the edge of sanity. There are still myths surrounding the topic of mental health, specially in a society with prevalent cases of mental disorders. The fact remains that one out of five Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetimes ( source: National Institute of Mental Health ).

What are the Common Myths about Mental Health?

Myth 1: Mental health disorders are uncommon

You might be surprised that teenagers can suffer real mental illnesses and it has nothing to do with their moods.

Myth 2: Mental health problems are self-inflicted

Just because there’s a saying that we are the masters of our own minds doesn’t necessarily mean that mental health problems are self-induced. There is simply a huge difference between taking responsibility over one’s action and accepting blame. Many are confused with these two.

Myth 3: Mental health issues are inherited

This is a big, fat lie. Since mental diseases can be triggered by an extremely traumatic stimuli, it is unfair to say that it is something biological or genetic. There is simply no way that bad genes made someone mentally ill. Someone saying so is telling you a half-truth.

Myth 4: Mental disorders stays with you for life

Just because the problem is in your mind doesn’t mean you will have to deal with it for life. There are still many mysteries yet to be discovered when it comes to the issue of mental health and most cases like anxiety or depression are highly treatable. If you suspect that you are a likely candidate for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, you need to consult a mental health doctor to know what options to take.

Myth 5: Mental disorder has its roots in childhood

This may be true in the olden days, but there’s simply no proof that bad parenting has turned someone nuts. Many irrational thoughts have its roots in dysfunctional feelings or behavior. For this, modern psychotherapy uses the cognitive behavior approach. What took years to cure can now only take months.

Myth 6: I can handle my mental health problem

Many who say this are those who are in denial, those who won’t seek help since they feel they are in total control of themselves. Although there are mild cases where a good self-help book, a chat with a friend, an inspiring binaural beat, or a support group have done wonders.

Myth 7: Being crazy means being confined in the hospital

What is crazy anyway? It’s so generic everybody uses it ( even in a song ). Unless you are a threat to yourself and to people around you, you won’t be confined in some desolate sanitarium. Mental disorders are not like your H1N1 flu where you need to be totally isolated because of the risk of spreading a deadly disease.

Myth 8: Talking about suicide makes me crazy

When teens talk about it, they need to be taken seriously as suicide is the third leading cause of death among high school students. Suicide is a symptom of depression, which is treatable. You need to seek mental health care when the feeling doesn’t seem to go away. It’s just so tragic that many actually succeed in doing so. It doesn’t have to be you.

Myth 9: I can seek help from my primary care physician about my mental health

Yes, they will listen to your woes, but mental health issues are best treated by specialists in this field. You can see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or anyone with the special training to handle your concerns. If you would go to a dermatologist for skin problems, why not seek someone with an expertise on mental health?

Myth 10: Mental illness is something made up by my mind. It’s not real.

You are again in denial if you think this way. Mental disorders are as real as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and so on. Like these illnesses, you need to get an expert help.

In the end, your mind’s well-being depends on your state of happiness. No matter how hard it is to find that bottle of joy, strive to be happy. Attract more positivity into your life and feel better all over. Live a healthy life by choosing natural options that nourishes your mind and body. Be at Peace!

Stevie challenges some of the myths surrounding schizophrenia for Time to Change: