My Thursday Thirteen for this week is Thirteen Myths about Mental Illness

1. Myth-Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just “crazy.”

Fact-Brain disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively.

2. Myth- People with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are usually dangerous and violent.

Fact-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. Those suffering from a psychosis such as schizophrenia are more often frightened, confused and despairing than violent.

3. Myth-Mental illness is the result of bad parenting.

Fact – Most experts agree that a genetic susceptibility, combined with other risk factors, leads to a psychiatric disorder. In other words, mental illnesses have a physical cause.

4. Myth- 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.

Fact-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.

5. Myth-Schizophrenia means split personality, and there is no way to control it.

Fact- Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple personality disorder. Actually, schizophrenia is a brain disorder that robs people of their ability to think clearly and logically. The estimated 2.5 million Americans with schizophrenia have symptoms ranging from social withdrawal to hallucinations and delusions. Medication has helped many of these individuals to lead fulfilling, productive lives.

6. Myth-Depression is a normal part of the aging process.

Fact- It is not normal for older adults to be depressed. Signs of depression in older people include a loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances and lethargy. Depression in the elderly is often undiagnosed, and it is important for seniors and their family members to recognize the problem and seek professional help.

7. Myth-Depression and other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, do not affect children or adolescents. Any problems they have are just a part of growing up.

Fact- Children and adolescents can develop severe mental illnesses. In the United States, one in ten children and adolescents has a mental disorder severe enough to cause impairment. However, only about 20 percent of these children receive needed treatment. Left untreated, these problems can get worse. Anyone talking about suicide should be taken very seriously.

8. Myth – If you have a mental illness, you can will it away. Being treated for a psychiatric disorder means an individual has in some way “failed” or is weak.

Fact- A serious mental illness cannot be willed away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek professional help.

9. Myth-Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), formerly known as “shock treatment,” is painful and barbaric.

Fact- ECT has given a new lease on life to many people who suffer from severe and debilitating depression. It is used when other treatments such as psychotherapy or medication fail or cannot be used. Patients who receive ECT are asleep and under anesthesia, so they do not feel anything.

10. Myth-Most people with mental illness live on the streets or are in mental hospitals.

Fact-Over two-thirds of Americans who have a mental illness live in the community and lead productive lives. Most people who need hospitalization are only there for brief periods to get treatment and are then able to return home, just like people hospitalized for other conditions. Some people with mental illness do become homeless and could benefit from treatment and services.

11. Myth – I can’t do anything for a person with mental illness.

Fact-You can do a lot, starting with how you act and speak. You can create an environment that builds on people’s strengths and promotes understanding. For example:

Don’t label people with words like “crazy,” “wacko,” or “loony” or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is “a schizophrenic,” say he or she “has schizophrenia.”

Don’t say “a schizophrenic person,” say “a person with schizophrenia.”

Learn the facts about mental health and share them with others, especially if you hear something that isn’t true.

Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, just as you would anybody else.

Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don’t discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education.

Like other people with disabilities, people with mental health problems are protected under federal and state laws

12. Myth-Mental illness is a single, rare disorder.

Fact-Mental illness is not a single disease but a broad classification for many disorders. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders can cause misery, tears and missed opportunities.

13. Myth- If you think someone has a mental illness, you should wait to do something until she asks you for help.

Fact-Addressing the problem as soon as you notice symptoms usually results in earlier treatment and a better outcome. If you notice a friend is behaving differently than usual, you should encourage her to seek help and discuss her problems.Reassure your friend that you’re available for support. If she refuses to seek help, make an appointment with a professional to discuss the situation and the available options.