The Most Cringe-Worthy Facts About Mental Health

The stigma surrounding mental illness has slowly been lifted in recent years. Despite centuries of neglect, mental health is finally receiving the attention it deserves. It is still considered a taboo in many parts of the world, which creates obstacles for people suffering from mental health issues to seek professional help.

The topic of mental health continues to receive increased attention and research. However, there are still many myths associated with the topic.

Unfortunately, it is still common for mental health issues to be stigmatized, often based on outdated ideas and assumptions. Yet, the more knowledge we have in many aspects of life, the less inclined we are to let myths sway our judgments.

It wasn’t so long ago that society frowned upon mental illness. In some cultures, supernatural forces are thought to be responsible for mental illness. Despite removing much of this way of thinking from society, its traces remain.

Unabated, last year took a toll on the world’s mental health. So, identifying and addressing psychological untruths is more important today than ever before. Unfortunately, mental health is still the subject of many myths, so today, we’re going to debunk some of them.

Read on and get your facts straight!

Debunking Most Common Mental Health Myths

Mental illness is Rare

The statement above was false before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is more untrue than ever before in today’s world.

Globally, one of every four people will experience some mental or neurological disorder in their lifetime, according to WHO’s Trusted Sources report from 2001. In addition, 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions. Because of the increasing number of such patients, most psychological therapists are going for higher education. And if you are a professional counselor, you can easily get an online Masters in Mental Health Counseling to offer better healthcare.

According to the WHO, mental disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability worldwide. The most common mental illness is depression, affecting more than 264 million people worldwide in 2017. According to a more recent study that focused on the United States, depression among adults has tripled during the pandemic.

More than3 out of every 100 adults in the United States have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), another common mental disorder.

Mentally Ill People Can Be Violent or Dangerous

Many catastrophic events in the United States are associated with mental illness (such as mass shootings). Labeling a violent person as mentally sick, on the other hand, is an attempt to explain their behavior because it’s difficult to understand why someone would commit such crimes.

Most people with mental illness have no desire to hurt others. If they hurt anyone, it is often themselves through negative self-talk and self-harm.

Unfortunately, according to experts, people with mental health disorders are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Domestic violence is more prevalent among women with mental illnesses.

Children Don’t Have Mental Health Issues

Most people believe that children can’t have mental health problems. However, the reality is contrary to that.

It is not uncommon for very young children to show early symptoms of mental illness. These conditions are often easily diagnosable and can arise due to a combination of biological, psychological, and social influences.

One-half of all mental disorders manifest themselves by the time an individual turns 14, and 75% of mental disorders begin before 24.

The number of children and adolescents receiving treatment for mental illness is less than 20%. The early provision of mental health services can aid a child in overcoming any problems that might interfere with their development.

Mental Health Problems Prevent People from Working

People with mental health issues are often mistaken for being incapable of holding down a job or contributing to the workforce. Such an assumption is false.

In some instances, people with severe mental illnesses might not work regularly. Nevertheless, most people with mental disorders can be as productive as those without mental illness.

In 2014, a study from the U.S. examined employment status to mental illness severity. According to the authors, as expected, unemployment rates decreased with the increasing severity of mental illness.

However, the employment rate for individuals with severe conditions was 54.5%, compared to 75.9% for people without a mental illness, 68.8% for those with mild mental illnesses, and 62.7% for moderate conditions.

Mental Illness Indicates Weakness

Despite the absurdity of saying a fractured limb indicates weakness. Psychological and mental health issues are diseases, not character defects. In the same way, people suffering from depression cannot recover from their conditions immediately. Any more than a person who has diabetes or a skin condition can recover from their conditions immediately.

Overcoming mental illness requires tremendous strength. It is a dangerous myth because experts believe people never seek help because they don’t like to admit they’re weak. Even if the person suffers needlessly, the symptoms may continue to worsen.

Additionally, willpower will not be able to prevent or cure mental illnesses. The cause of these disorders is often trauma such as abuse or triggering events, and they do not represent your strength of character.

The Takeaway!

Every illness, including mental health issues, requires treatment. People suffering from mental health issues find it extremely difficult to seek help due to their stigma. These diseases, if left untreated, can worsen and become more complex.

Therefore, if you or a loved one is experiencing psychological problems, seek medical help immediately. If you see a psychologist on time, you will overcome mental health issues more easily.

It is important to realize that stigmas can cause people to doubt their self-worth and abilities. They can even lead to feelings of shame and isolation. Thus, if you or someone you know is going through a hard time, see a therapist as soon as possible.