One in four adults suffers from at least one mental illness. This is the same number of Americans living with a chronic health condition, the same number of Americans that are superstitious, and the same number of Americans living without debt.
This means that (statistically) you are just as likely to have a mental illness as you are to experience any of the scenarios above. This may seem surprising, but it's just another thing about mental illness that people need to become aware of. It's time for those who do not have a full understanding what mental illness is to learn more about the facts.
Myth: Mental illness is rare.
Fact: Unfortunately, mental illness is not rare at all. One in four adults experience mental illness in a given year, and one in 17 adults live with a severe mental illness.
(via USC School of Social Work)
Myth: Mentally ill people are dangerous.
Fact: Those with mental illnesses are no more likely to be violent than those without; only three to five percent of serious violent acts are committed by someone with a severe mental illness. In fact, people with a severe mental illness are actually 10 times more likely to be a victim of violence.
Myth: Character flaws cause mental illness. If you want to have good mental health, you need to try hard enough and make it happen.
Fact: Having a mental illness has nothing to do with one's character. There are several factors that contribute to the development of a mental illness, including inherited traits, the brain's exposure to environmental stressors (like drugs, alcohol, toxins, etc.) in utero, and brain chemistry.
Myth: "Mental illness doesn't affect me."
Fact: While this is a nice thought to have, chances are mental illness does affect you. You may not have a mental illness, but you probably know someone who does. One in four adults suffer from mental illness. In a given year, about 10 percent of American adults experience a mood disorder, 18 percent of American adults experience an anxiety disorder, and four percent of American adults experience ADD/ADHD.
Myth: Therapy is a waste of time and money. Mentally ill people should just take medication.
Fact: Medication helps people to manage the symptoms of a mental illness, but it is not a cure. The best treatments for mental illness usually include psychotropic medications and talk therapy.
Myth: Mental illnesses are not real illnesses.
Fact: Just because mental illness does not manifest itself in the same way physical illness does, it doesn't mean that it is not just as damaging, if not more damaging, than any other type of illness. Being diagnosed with a mental illness is not something someone wants, or something someone has power over. The legitimacy of someone's suffering has nothing to do with how you perceive them.
Myth: Kids cannot have mental illnesses.
Fact: Research has shown that about half of diagnosed mental illnesses begin at age 14. Although the child's brain is still developing, they can still develop a mental illness. Mental illnesses are characterized by 1) disturbances in thoughts/behaviors, and 2) an inability to cope with daily life. This can happen to individuals of any age.
Myth: Mental illness is just an excuse to have bad behavior/get attention.
Fact: This implies that people choose to have mental illnesses, which is offensive and very untrue. People with mental illnesses can control how their conditions makes them act just as much as blind people can control their ability to see.
Myth: People who attempt suicide are weak.
Fact: No one who tries to end their own life does so because they are weak. Most likely, this person is very strong, and has gone through a great deal of pain.
Myth: Depression can be fixed if you decide to have a positive outlook on life.
Fact: No one decides to be depressed, and trying to think more positively does not control the effects of depression. Depression is caused by an individual's brain chemistry, and that cannot be changed through a shift in thinking.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Throughout the month of May, this author is writing articles to raise awareness about mental illness.
