Clearing Up Some Misconceptions About Mental Health

For years, people with mental health issues suffered in relative silence. The stigma surrounding mental health was so strong that most people didn’t seek professional help, causing them to deal with their issues on their own, often without even having a friend or family member that they could confide in.

Thankfully, things have changed, especially over the last decade or so. Instead of being treated like something that people need to be ashamed of, mental illness has largely become something people are encouraged to acknowledge and seek help for.

This destigmatization of mental health has led to millions of people getting the help that they need for their mental health. Unfortunately, there are still some misconceptions about the topic. When dealing with something as important and multilayered as mental health, it’s important to debunk as many myths as possible. While there’s certainly no way to demystify everything about mental illness, we can clear up some of the most common myths surrounding an incredibly important topic.

Today, let’s take a look at some of the most common myths about mental health and clear them up. The more you know about mental health and mental illness, the more prepared you will be to deal with any issues that you’re facing, as well as issues faced by the people around you.

Myth #1: Mental Health Issues Are Uncommon

One of the most common myths about mental health involves how common mental illness is. This myth largely stems from our natural tendency to treat mental illness like other health issues, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. There are countless studies out there that focus on these physical illnesses, and we can look at the statistics to determine how common they are. When dealing with mental illness, it’s harder to get an exact figure that represents how many people are facing issues because many people don’t seek professional help and those that do often wait until they realize that they can’t overcome the issues on their own.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 25% of adults will deal with some sort of mental health issue during their lifetime. Things like anxiety and depression are much harder to track than health issues like diabetes and cancer because they don’t always produce physical symptoms. This doesn’t mean that mental illness doesn’t impact as many, if not more people than physical ailments, though.

Fortunately, our societal shift when it comes to mental health has worked to shine a light on this dangerous mental health myth. Instead of feeling like they’re the only ones facing such issues, people with mental illness are finally able to recognize that mental health is a problem that plagues millions of people around the world. If you are struggling with your own mental well-being, rest assured that you’re not the only person dealing with those issues.

Myth #2: People Just Need to “Snap Out of It” When Dealing With Mental Health Issues

One of the most dangerous and devastating myths surrounding mental health involves telling people that they need to “snap out of it” or “get over it” when they’re dealing with a mental health crisis. Can you imagine someone telling a cancer patient that they need to just “get over” their cancer? Or, what would it be like if someone told a person having a heart attack to “snap out of it” as they clutch their chests and gasp for air? Those hypothetical situations sound absolutely ridiculous, but many people assume that people in the middle of a mental health crisis can simply choose to get over their problems.

Thankfully, this line of thinking is becoming less common as people recognize that mental health is not just about being in a bad mood or feeling stressed. Instead, it points to a chemical imbalance in the brain that results in a number of symptoms.

When people say that mental health patients need to “snap out of it,” they’re not only trivializing the issues that the patient is dealing with, but they’re also minimizing the work of people who have committed their lives to studying mental health and finding ways to help patients deal with their problems. In the same way that a diabetic cannot “snap out of” their diabetes, the mental health of the patients cannot just choose to get over their problems.

Myth #3: Mental Health Problems Are a Sign of Weakness

Another dangerous myth surrounding mental health says that people who deal with these issues are weak. This myth usually links to the myth that we just discussed. When you incorrectly assume that you should be able to just snap out of your mental health issues, you may feel like acknowledging your problems and getting professional help for them is a sign of weakness. Again, this is not only incorrect, but it’s also dangerous.

Let’s draw the comparison between mental and physical health again to better understand why this myth is simply untrue. Do you consider people who need medical intervention for physical problems weak because they see a doctor? Of course not! If your blood pressure is elevated, you probably see your doctor to find a way to lower it. If you have a cold, you likely contact your physician to get some antibiotics to help you battle the illness. The same is true for mental health issues.

Mental illness is no more a sign of mental and emotional weakness than a virus is a sign of physical illness. Having a mental illness does not make you weak any more than catching a common cold does.

Myth #4: Therapy Is Only For People With Severe Mental Illness

Many people incorrectly assume that therapy and other mental health resources are only for people who have “severe” mental illness. The truth is that therapy and counseling can help everyone, regardless of where they stand on the massive spectrum that covers mental health. You do not have to have received an official diagnosis of a mental illness to benefit from therapy, which comes as a surprise to many people.

Therapy is a wonderful proactive tool for people who deal with stress, relationship issues, and even those who just want to experience personal growth. Having an unbiased individual who you can talk through your issues with is a great way to address sources of stress and anxiety before they turn into something more intense.

Since many mental health issues are invisible when compared to other ailments, some people believe that you don’t need to see an expert until something is wrong. However, in the same way that you go see your doctor for a regular physical checkup, working with a therapist helps you stay ahead of issues that can turn into something more serious.

Myth #5: Medication Will Change Who You Are

Some people dread the idea of taking mental health medications because they fear that these drugs will dull their personalities or change them into someone that they don’t even recognize. While it’s true that some mental health meds can level out the chemical levels in your brain, this doesn’t actually change your personality. Instead, it simply gives you more control over the emotions that you’re having.

Everyone responds to medications differently, which is also true for medicines that treat physical ailments. It’s normal for mental health medications to take some time for prescribers to “dial in” to find a regimen that works for you. Your mental health provider will work with you to find a medication plan that works for you without changing who you are.

Myth #6: Talking About Self-Harm Puts The Idea in Someone’s Mind

Some people believe that serious mental health topics such as suicide and self-harm should never be discussed, as they assume that talking about them openly will put the idea in someone’s mind. The truth is, it’s important to have these difficult conversations, as people need a healthy outlet to work through the thoughts that they’re already having.

Treating any mental health topic like it’s off limits is a dangerous approach that makes the patient feel even more isolated than they may already be feeling. There have been countless studies conducted on this topic, and they all point to the same truth. Talking about these sensitive topics is beneficial, and does nothing to make someone more likely to harm themselves. In fact, people report that having conversations about self-harm and suicide made them less likely to do it, as they found solace in knowing that someone cared.

Demystifying Mental Health

Understanding the truth about mental health and mental illness is crucial in dealing with your own problems and helping those around you. Tearing down the myths surrounding the topic is a vital first step, and these truths can help you do that.