When it comes to the idea of mental illness it is often seen as something that is not essential to be addressed. But, with the surge of mental health illnesses all over the world, it becomes important to prioritize discussions on these and understand that they are not “nonexistent”, but very much a real threat. Just as we cardiovascular disease and cancer make up the top health burden across the globe, mental health is also becoming a health burden that needs to be tackled.
The various kinds of myths and other misconceptions related to mental health have led to a severe impact on the discrimination and injustice faced by individuals who are facing issues related to mental health. Not only this, the stigma around mental health has made it difficult for these people to approach and receive correct help for the treatment of mental health issues.
To create a safe space for everyone and to bring a change in society about the misconceptions about mental health it is essential to debunk the myths around mental health.
MYTH OF MENTAL ILLNESS
When you tell someone that you are suffering from depression, the first response is not that of understanding. What people fail to understand is that mental health is widely prevalent and the problems or the issues caused by mental health are astonishingly higher than any other chronic disease.
According to National Alliance on Mental Health, nearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia are the leading four mental illnesses in America as of date. With such high numbers of prevalence, the time to focus on mental health issues is today!
A few generalised misconceptions about mental health are:
- There is no cure for patients suffering from mental health issues.
This is one of the most common myths about mental illness. Though no mental illness has a complete cure, it is not untreatable. In fact, identifying the symptoms at a younger stage, proper diagnosis and care and regular therapy can go a long way in treating and managing the symptoms of mental illness. In some cases, medication is also administered to keep the symptoms at bay, allowing the individual to manage their illness and live a normal life.
- You are only advised to take care of your mental health if you are suffering from mental health issues
It is essential to recognise the need as well as the importance of having good mental health. Our nervous system controls our body and mind and when our nervous system feels safe, our health remains good. Our mental health should always be our priority, doing small actions that take care of how we feel is important. It is a myth that mental health deserves attention only when you have a mental health issue. This is along the same lines that you should take care of your body, only when you fall sick. If we always treat our body as a temple, we will not fall ill in the first place. In the same way, if we treat our minds right, we will not fall ill.
- Mental Health Condition is often seen as a sign of weakness
The misconception is that mental health illnesses are often seen as a sign of weakness. This common understanding often acts as a hindrance for those suffering with mental illness as they fail to see help due to the fear of being called weak. “Man up!”, “It is all in your head” are some of the things that show how people think mental illness is a sign of weakness. However, the concept has no scientific backing. Many people live and thrive despite having a mental illness, defying this myth.
To address the issue of mental health myth, Thomas Szasz, a renowned American psychiatrist has talked about how deeply individuals face the issues related to mental health in his book,” The Book of Mental Illness” he discusses how mental illness is just a myth without any kind of medicated diagnosis. He elaborates himself and describes how only the physical diseases of the human body are the real diseases. There is a failure in the understanding of the biological basis for mental illness but at the same time, he acknowledges the fact that there is the existence of mental illness with changing times and evolving societal needs.
THE MYTH OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
According to NAMI, 1.4% of the U.S population experiences borderline personality disorder. BPD is a serious mental health issue that is often surrounded by many myths. The myths that revolve around borderline personality disorder are very adverse and need to be debunked.
A few myths that are very common concerning borderline personality disorder are:
MYTH 1: Borderline personality disorder is an excuse for character flaw
BPD is diagnosed in an individual if it meets certain criteria mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM- 5). These identifying symptoms and criteria are a mix of genetic, environmental and other factors. Character flaw alone is not the only criteria, nor can BPD seen as an excuse for character flaw.
MYTH 2: Borderline personality disorder is associated with women only and is rarely diagnosed in men.
When it comes to debunking the myth related to the borderline personality disorder faced by men or women the ratio of diagnosis is significantly lower with men, but it does not make BPD a women exclusive disorder. Though 75% population diagnosed with BPD are women, the other 25% are men. The outlook towards women has been very stereotypical and the patriarchal society has created a misconception that the women are much more emotional than men which has led to make them have borderline personality disorders.
In reality, both men and women have borderline personality disorder but the symptoms depicted by men are often exhibited differently and that is why they have not been able to be identified as borderline personality disorder.
MYTH 3: People suffering from borderline personality disorder are not suitable for relationships
It has often been misunderstood that people suffering from borderline personality disorder are unfit for healthy relationships due to their emotional instability.
In reality, when people dealing with borderline personality disorder are understood, and their needs and habits are acknowledged then they are very stable and loyal towards their relationship as well as understand the needs of other individuals.
Myth 4: Those who suffer from BPD are attention seekers
There is no denying that patients of BPD get overwhelmed easily and are impulsive, but it does not mean that they are attention seekers. The nature of their disorder is such that people might call emotional outbursts and their risky behaviour as attention seeking, but in reality it is just a
To conclude, mental health-related myths and mental health misconceptions have created a narrower society in terms of mentality and at the same time have made mental illness patients live in isolation which makes it even more difficult for them to recover from their problems and enjoy a safe space.
At North America Behavioral Health Services (NABHS), we know that it is vital to create an environment and society that acknowledges the needs of all making and allow for a safe community. We help you in fostering better relationships and break these myths around mental health, so that the you or your loved ones can seek the support they deserve.
