Download Common Myths of Mental Illnesses

Common Myths of Mental Illnesses
1. People with MI are violent.
a. Statistics show that the incidence of violence in people who have a brain
disorder is not much higher than it is in the general population. In fact,
rather than perpetrators of violence, individuals with a mental illness are
2.5 times more likely to be victims of violence1.
2. Mental Illness develops as a result of bad childhood experiences and poor
parenting.
a. Most experts agree that a genetic susceptibility combined with other risk
factors, leads to a psychiatric disorder. Many factors play into how and
when a person may develop a mental illness, such as genetic
predisposition, brain chemistry, chronic stress (such as physical abuse),
infection and environmental contributors (including major life changes
such as divorce). Bad parenting is not one of them.
3. Depression results from negative thinking and is therefore more prevalent among
individuals who “see the cup as half empty.”
a. Depression results from changes in brain chemistry or brain function.
4. Mental health disorders are relatively uncommon.
a. About one in four adults in the United States suffers from a mental
disorder in a given year, with about 6 percent suffering from a serious
mental illness. Mental illness and drug addiction are the top ranking
causes of disability in North America and Western Europe. Half of the
leading causes of disability worldwide are mental disorders.
5. Schizophrenia refers to a split personality – two different personalities in one
body.
a. Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple personality disorder.
Actually, schizophrenia is a brain disorder that interferes with the ability
to think clearly and logically. The estimated 2.5 million Americans with
schizophrenia have symptoms ranging from social withdrawal to
hallucinations and delusions. Along with medication, psychosocial
rehabilitation and other community-based support can help those with
schizophrenia go on to lead meaningful and satisfying lives.
6. The aging process leads to an increased incidence of depression.
1
1. Hiday, V.A., Swartz, M., Swanson, J. et al. (1999). Criminal victimization of persons
with severe mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 50(1), 62-68.
a. Depression is not normal for older adults. However, depression in the
elderly is often undiagnosed. Signs of depression in older people include
loss of interest in activities, lethargy, and sleep disturbances.
7. Individuals with a mental illness have difficulty holding down a job.
a. Research indicates that there is no difference in the productivity of
workers with and without mental illness, regardless of their position
(skilled, managerial, or professional).
8. Mental illness only occurs if you have a family history.
a. While some mental illnesses do run in families, many conditions reflect
biochemical disturbances in the brain, while others can be triggered by
exposure to stressful events.
9. Stress causes mental illness.
a. This is both true and false. Stress may trigger an episode or cause
symptoms such as anxiety or depression, but persistent symptoms appear
to be biological in nature. It is likely that many things contribute to
mental illness - the causes are not yet fully understood.
10. Most people with a mental illness require supervision or hospitalization.
a. Over 2/3 of people who have a mental health diagnosis live in the
community and lead productive lives. Often, hospitalizations are brief and
the person is able to return home, just like people hospitalized for other
conditions.
11. Mental health disorders are lifelong and difficult to treat.
a. Studies show that most people with mental illnesses 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. For
some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive
life. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of
symptoms.
12. Depression results from a personality weakness or character flaw, and people who
are depressed could just snap out of it if they tried hard enough.
a. Depression has nothing to do with being lazy or weak. It results from
changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and medication and/or
psychotherapy often help people to recover. A serious mental illness
cannot be willed away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away
either.
13. Any problems that children and adolescents have are just a part of growing up.
a. Children and adolescents can develop severe mental illnesses that we
commonly associate with adults. Between five and nine percent of kids
develop severe psychiatric disorders, according to a report released by the
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. However, only
about 20 percent of these children receive needed treatment. Left
untreated, these problems can get worse.
14. Only women suffer from eating disorders.
a. While women are more likely than men to develop an eating disorder, men
also suffer from the debilitating disease. It's estimated that about 10
million American women are living with an eating disorder compared to
roughly 1 million men. Men are also more likely to develop a binge-eating
disorder than a restrictive type such as anorexia.
15. People who talk about suicide won’t actually do it.
a. Almost everyone who commits suicide has given some clue or warning.
Do not ignore suicide threats or statements like, “You’ll be sorry when
I’m dead,” or “I can’t see any way out.” No matter how casually or
jokingly said, these statements may indicate serious suicidal feelings.