Myths And Truths About Mental Illnesses

by Sofia Blue
Dec 9, 2017
5 min read

For those of us who suffer with mental health issues it is very common to have to face prejudice and doubt from others, who have only heard myths about what is it to have a mental illness. That's why I have this blog in the first place. That's why there are so many blogs and people trying to fight the stigma and raise awareness.

Now, let's presume you know nothing about mental health and you believe in all those myths above. I want to take you on a journey. I see your point. After all, it's hard to say something you can't see exists, right? So, let's start from the beginning.

Before that, though, while you read I want you to remember this - considering you know everything only closes the doors to finding what’s really out there...

Mental Illnesses don’t exist in the first place.

To understand why that is NOT true we need to dive a bit into science. Mental health is as real as physical health. And they are both connected. The mind is the brain and the brain, like any other organ in a human’s body, is all biology and chemistry. Interestingly enough, though, psychiatrists (who are real doctors) are the only ones who work with an organ they can’t see inside using modern technology (check this article I wrote on this matter). Some people discredit mental illnesses because of that. Diagnosis is difficult and inconclusive, treatment could last forever, and we still don’t have a physiological measurement system. But who said we know all there is to know? For something to exist doesn’t mean we have to understand it (which is what we’re trying to do). We have been able to study the brain in depth only for a few decades. All evidence points out that these issues are as real as any other disease.

Another issue skeptics have is more specifically with depression - it’s difficult for someone unexperienced to see the difference between laziness and weakness, and the signs of depression. Which brings me to another myth.

Those with MI must be weak individuals with little willpower.

I cannot even begin to describe how far from the truth that is. The interesting thing is I myself thought that when I was younger, not even realizing I actually had MI. Why? Because I wasn’t educated. I wasn’t aware, I didn’t want to know either.

So, as long as you want to know, you can always read and learn more about the different types of mental illnesses. What you will understand is that every single mental illness is a mix of biological factors in the brain, genes and history of illness in the family, social and environmental experiences. If you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is triggered by a specific traumatic event. If you are bipolar, you are probably like this because of certain chemical deficit in your brain, and family history. There are so many different reasons, causes, illnesses. It is not fair to put all under the equation and think all of those people are weak. It has nothing to do with willpower. When you are depressed to the point you have no energy and physically cannot get out of bed, you are not lazy. If you were sick with the flu, no one will tell you 'Get yourself together', right?

People with MI are violent and are prone to crimes

Did you know that only 3-5% of such violent deeds are due to MI. It is actually more often that, if there is such aggression, it is directed towards yourself, not others. When depressed many of the times people want to punish themselves. They close up. People with MI are dangerous to themselves much more than they would be to any other human being.

Another reason why people with MI are not prone to violence is that quite often they are victims of aggressive acts themselves. PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, most common MI, many times result in response to a violent situation. And that is a reason big enough for people with MI not to be violent. Knowing how much it hurts, you don’t want to make others feel the same pain. Depression makes you more empathetic. Bipolarity helps you see both sides of the story. Anxiety makes you understand vulnerability.

Having MI makes you incompetent to have a job.

Statistics point that 1 in every 5 people suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. You may know many more people with mental illness than you would suspect. Due to stigma and skepticism many are ashamed to share, thus making it impossible to know for those around. With today’s modern fast and stressful lifestyle more and more people have difficulty to keep their minds in peace. Who’s to blame them? Maybe even you have some issue. You just have to dare to reach deep inside you.

Now you need to understand the illnesses are so many different types. There are illnesses like postpartum (after pregnancy) depression that can last for a couple of months. And there are others like schizophrenia that are more persistent but completely controllable with the help of medication. So they affect people in different ways. People with OCD are perfectionists in their work too. A security guy with PTSD for example would be a better guard due to his past experience. Someone with ADHD is better equipped to handle many tasks at once than any other “normal” employee. It’s all a matter of finding the right fit. Isn’t it the same for you too?

There is no hope and cure for people with MI

Now if you ask me is that is true in my bad days, I will surely say I agree. But looking at things from a rational point of you there is so much one can do to improve their state:

therapy
better lifestyle - exercise, good diet, healthy food
good sleep
the right medication
most of all - support and love

Just consider that only about a couple of decades ago doctors found out that the medication for tuberculosis could actually serve as an antidepressant. That was a coincidence maybe? In any case, modern medicine doesn’t rely on coincidences and scientists around the world are researching and looking for cure.

Also, once diagnosed with a mental illness, it doesn’t mean that a person will have it for the rest of their life? Again, there are a variety of mental illnesses and each has it’s specifics. It is hard to generalize.

What’s for sure, though, is that it IS a challenge. It is hard, feels like there is no hope sometimes indeed. But that is exactly why you should respect any person with MI - we keep going and fighting even when all hope is lost.

Children don’t experience mental illnesses

Many people connect childhood to freedom and worriless world. It is exactly in one’s childhood that signs of mental illness can be observed, usually easiest to diagnose before 14 years of age. The problem is that due to the stigma and lack of awareness many parents fail to notice. That is pretty worrisome since early mental help drastically can increase the chances of having MI-free adult life.

I first thought about hurting myself when I was 8. Unfortunately, many of the people with MI I know have too developed MI during their childhood. This is so true considering how vulnerable and dependent children are. Everything impresses them. They build their life based on every little thing they observe. Thus, with the mix of biological, environmental and social factors, things can take a negative turn very quickly.

Revolutions start with a spark. One more person understanding mental illnesses means one more ignited spark. And soon there will be fire! I invite you into the world of mental health! Don't dismiss the idea of something existing just because you haven't seen it or experienced it, or felt it. We are different. That's out uniqueness and the more we are open to each other, the easier life can be!