People often call themselves OCD after maybe cleaning up their room or decorating a Christmas tree in a certain way. However, having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is more extreme and disruptive, so it is important to shed a light on what the disorder actually entails.
1. Misconception: If you suffer from mental health problems, you are alone.
Truth: Many people go through mental health issues. According to MentalHealth.gov, in 2020, around one in five American adults had a mental health issue, one in six young people have gone through a major depressive episode, and one in twenty Americans lived with a serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people from 10 to 24 years old. Clearly, many people experience mental health problems, which is why it is all the more important that we end the stigma surrounding mental health so that way a large group of people will feel more comfortable getting help. No one is alone if they suffer from mental health issues.
2. Misconception: If you suffer from mental health problems, you are alone.
Truth: Most people with mental health problems are not any more violent than other people. According to MentalHealth.gov, only around 3%-5% of violent acts are from people with a serious mental illness and people with severe mental illness are more than 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crimes compared to the general population. According to the American Psychological Association, people with serious mental illness, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, may be somewhat more likely to be responsible for violent acts, however other factors are often at play. For instance, substance abuse, environmental factors, “command hallucinations” telling people to harm others, psychopathy (associated with a lack of empathy, insufficient impulse control, and antisocial deviance), a history of violence, prior childhood physical abuse, having a father that went through substance abuse or was a criminal, showing antisocial behavior, and scoring high on anger measures are all factors that can lead those with mental illness to commit violence. A study done by the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study shows that when a team discharged psychiatric patients without substance use disorder with people from their same neighborhoods, they had the same rates of violence. This shows that neighborhoods that are unsafe, poor, or have high crime rates may explain why violence is an equally likely possibility regardless of whether a person has a mental illness. Evidently, people with mental illnesses are not really any more violent compared to anyone else. While some mental illnesses may be associated with more violence, in reality, there are other factors that could affect anyone, regardless of whether they have a mental illness or not, that may be responsible for that violence. It is important to disregard how people with mental illnesses may be portrayed as violent in the. media or in the movies as this is not factually accurate and is a damaging misconception that contributes to the stigma that prevents people from getting help. Not getting treatment is what really may cause someone to hurt themselves or others.
3. Misconception: People with mental health issues can not work.
Truth: Most people with mental health problems are not any more violent than other people. According to MentalHealth.gov, only around 3%-5% of violent acts are from people with a serious mental illness and people with severe mental illness are more than 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crimes compared to the general population. According to the American Psychological Association, people with serious mental illness, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, may be somewhat more likely to be responsible for violent acts, however other factors are often at play. For instance, substance abuse, environmental factors, “command hallucinations” telling people to harm others, psychopathy (associated with a lack of empathy, insufficient impulse control, and antisocial deviance), a history of violence, prior childhood physical abuse, having a father that went through substance abuse or was a criminal, showing antisocial behavior, and scoring high on anger measures are all factors that can lead those with mental illness to commit violence. A study done by the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study shows that when a team discharged psychiatric patients without substance use disorder with people from their same neighborhoods, they had the same rates of violence. This shows that neighborhoods that are unsafe, poor, or have high crime rates may explain why violence is an equally likely possibility regardless of whether a person has a mental illness. Evidently, people with mental illnesses are not really any more violent compared to anyone else. While some mental illnesses may be associated with more violence, in reality, there are other factors that could affect anyone, regardless of whether they have a mental illness or not, that may be responsible for that violence. It is important to disregard how people with mental illnesses may be portrayed as violent in the. media or in the movies as this is not factually accurate and is a damaging misconception that contributes to the stigma that prevents people from getting help. Not getting treatment is what really may cause someone to hurt themselves or others.
4. Misconception: People with mental health issues or disorders or who suffer from substance abuse are just “weak” and need to “snap out of it.”
Truth: People with mental health problems are no weaker than people who suffer from heart disease or break their arm. Mental health problems are illnesses and are no different from physical ailments. Just like someone with a broken arm would go see a doctor, people with mental health issues need treatment in order to feel better. Experiences, such as trauma or abuse, family history of mental health issues, and biological components, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry, according to MentalHealth.gov, all may contribute to mental health issues and are out of someone’s control. Telling someone with mental health issues that they are just being “weak” or “lazy” is simply untrue and unhelpful. People with mental health issues need treatment just like with a physical illness. Medical News Today mentions a paper in Addictive Behavior Reports where researchers found that not having enough willpower was not a deciding factor in overcoming addiction, saying recovery was more reliant on forming strategies to preserve willpower by managing the environment. People with addiction are not “weak.” Their bodies have become dependent on a harmful substance and go through withdrawal when not getting enough of the substance. Again, treatment is necessary instead of promoting stigma so the person is no longer harming themselves.
5. Misconception: Children and teenagers do not suffer from mental illnesses
and issues.
Truth: MentalHealth.gov reports that Children and teenagers can exhibit early warning signs of mental health problems that are clinically diagnosable and may be the result of a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. According to MentalHealth.gov, half of all mental heath disorders exhibit primary signs before someone is 14 years old and around 75% of mental health disorders start before someone turns 24 years old. Mental health disorders and problems can start to present themselves at a very young age in children and teenagers. Thus, it is incredibly important to decrease stigma and increase information on mental health so children and teenagers are able to get treatment and feel comfortable talking to trusted adults. Children and teenagers need to be able to recognize signs in themselves or others surrounding them so people can get treatment or learn coping strategies before mental health problems develop into more serious issues or cause additional damage.
6. Misconception: People can never recover from mental health issues.
Truth: People can recover from mental health issues. According to MentalHealth.gov, studies have demonstrated that people with mental health issues can get better and possibly recover completely, with recovery meaning the process of people being capable of living, working, learning, and completely participating in communities. There are many treatments, services, and community support systems available to help people with mental health issues. Medical News Today says that people can have episodes before going back to their “normal” while others have treatments, such as medication and talking therapies, to bring balance to life. People can recover to a greater or lesser degree.
Mental Health America states that recovering from mental illness means not only getting better but getting a full and content life, and recovery may not be a straight road but one with ups and downs and mistakes. However, the main point is people can recover from mental health issues and receive treatment that allows them to live happy, full lives. It is imperative that we lower stigma by becoming more educated so people with mental health issues can get the treatment they need to recover and live their lives.
7. Misconception: You are unable to do anything to help someone with mental health issues.
Truth: Family, friends, and loved ones are incredibly important as a support system can be vital. According to MentalHealth.gov, in 2020, only 20% of adults got mental health treatment in the past year, including 10% of those who got counseling or therapy from professionals. People with mental health issues are often not getting treatment that they need, which causes them unnecessary suffering. MentalHealth.gov explains that friends and family can be important in helping someone get help by reaching out to let them know you are there to help, assisting them in getting access to mental health services, getting educated in facts about mental health and sharing them, treating someone with mental health issues with respect like anyone else, and not defining someone by their diagnosis or calling them “crazy.” Medical News Today says that while talking with friends can helpful, talking with trained therapists can help solve issues constructively in a way friends may not be trained in or be able to do as people may not be able to share everything with their friend. Friends and family can help someone feel more ready to get treatment, with a trained therapist if needed, while also combatting stigma they encounter, helping everyone with mental health issues feel that it is ok to get treatment. This leads to a better, healthier society as a whole.
Help your child understand the concept of time by saying what time it is during routine activities. Use and explain words like morning, noon, night, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Make a timeline together showing a typical day, with drawings of regular events and the time of day written beneath each one.
8. Misconception: You are unable to do anything to help someone with mental health issues.
Truth: Prevention can be used to try to prevent the development of mental health issues or the worsening or recurrence of them. The Mental Health Foundation explains that anti-stigma campaigns and giving information to children about emotions and mental health can be important. Also, people can try to support those that are more likely to develop mental health problems due to traits they were born with or their experiences, such as the LGBTIQ+ community that may suffer more harassment, those who have gone through trauma, people with long-term physical conditions, people who have suffered from hate crimes, etc. It is important to help those with mental health conditions continue to feel well. Mental Health Foundation goes on to say people can discuss their feelings, get enough sleep each night, eat well, stay active, use mindfulness, keep talking with friends, and help others to maintain good mental health. Those who are at a higher risk of mental health issues may want to get help from a counsellor to overcome problems from childhood, get support if the person has suffered a hate crime, or talk to a doctor to gain information on a physical health condition. Society should help parents take care of their children, protect children from trauma, teach young people on understanding and regulation emotions, help support people with stress, lower loneliness among the elderly, foster connections in communities, care for those struggling with suicidal ideation, and assist people in recovering and taking care of themselves to help maintain good mental health for everyone.
SOURCES :
1. “11 Myths about Mental Health.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-
mental-health-misconceptions#10.-Eating-disorders-are-a-lifestyle-choice.
2. Mental Health Myths and Facts.” Mental Health Myths and Facts | MentalHealth.gov, https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts.
3. “Mental Illness and Violence: Debunking Myths, Addressing Realities.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/04/ce-mental-illness.
4. Prevention and Mental Health.” Mental Health Foundation, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/prevention-and-mental-health.
2. Mental Health Myths and Facts.” Mental Health Myths and Facts | MentalHealth.gov, https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts.
3. “Mental Illness and Violence: Debunking Myths, Addressing Realities.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/04/ce-mental-illness.
4. Prevention and Mental Health.” Mental Health Foundation, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/prevention-and-mental-health.
