De- bunking the Myths about Mental Health

Most of us have many misconceptions about mental health. Especially for people in India. For a country that was first averse to the concept of mental health, illnesses and conditions; we are slowly waking up to the importance of mental wellbeing for our overall sustenance. Covid- 19 has accelerated the process of building awareness on mental health and the importance that it demands.

Because mental health wellness is a relatively new concept in India, we need to be careful about how and where we source our information from. Our access (or over-reliance) to the internet and social media, has opened the pandora's box of information from different sources. So, what information is the right information? Peer-reviewed journals and articles written by researchers in the field of mental health and by practitioners such as doctors and certified therapists are materials that one can fully rely on. With the growing trend of various opinions on mental health, I've debunked a few theories on mental health awareness.

Below are some myths and facts related to the topic:

Myth: Mental health illnesses are not common.

Fact: Mental health illnesses are in fact, common and can affect anyone. Research suggests that those affected by mental health conditions are not able to control their illnesses. A serious mental illness significantly impedes with or limits one or more major events in a person’s life. From everyday stress, anxiety and depression to serious mental illnesses like Bipolar and Schizophrenia; anyone irrespective of caste, race, religion, can be at the risk of developing a mental health disorder. For example, most people who commit suicide are related to mental health conditions they suffered from.

Myth: Mental illnesses are a result of bad parenting/ Children are not affected by mental health conditions.

Fact: Children can, and do, have mental health conditions. This/ these can be due to genetic disposition (or hereditary), complications during the pregnancy or witnessing and/or experiencing any kind of trauma. Mental health conditions in most children are simply not an indicator of bad parenting but an amalgamation of the environmental, biological and physical factors that contribute towards a child’s mental well-being or the lack of.

I, however, would like to point out that parent/s under the influence of drugs and alcohol, who are abusive to their partners and/ or indulge in risk-taking behaviour in front of their child/ children are prime examples of bad parenting and this does have a massive impact on the child’s mental health condition/s. Mental health concerns in children can be evident from an early age. The earliest diagnosis of mental health illnesses in a child is between the ages of 13-15 years. Unfortunately, most children go undiagnosed and most do not receive treatment until they become an adult.

Myth: People are faking having mental health condition/s to get attention.

Fact: Mental health illnesses are very real. Mental health is similar to one’s physical health; wherein when we sustain an injury to our physical health, it affects our body. Similarly, mental illnesses can affect our brain and emotional health and hence impair us to function to our full potential. For example- depression is caused due to the chemical imbalance in our brain, which then leads us to feel fatigued, mood swings, lack of motivation- factors that impact the quality of a person’s life. The causes for mental health conditions are real and the symptoms for these are not visible to the untrained eye. Though it may be challenging to relate to people with mental health conditions, it does not mean their conditions are not real.

p. s. – I’m not dismissing the fact that there may be some people who may fake having mental health conditions. This may serve as an indication for you of how invested you want to be with this person.

Myth: Mental illness is caused by personal weakness or character flaws.

Fact: People with mental health problems can get better and some with time, recover completely. A person with mental health problems is not caused by personal weakness, however by a combination of biological factors (genes, physical illness, injuries, problems with brain chemistry, etc.), environmental factors (life experiences such as trauma or history of abuse) and family history of mental health problems.

Myth: Certain races are more prone to mental illnesses than others.

Fact: Mental health problems do not bias or discriminate one race from another. All races and ethnicities are affected by mental health illnesses to the same degree. However, it could be pointed out that certain cultural influences can determine how one interprets symptoms of mental health conditions and that can prevent them from seeking appropriate help. Also, minority groups often get overlooked due to their lack of awareness of varying mental health illnesses.

Myth: People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.

Fact: It is incorrect to assume that one can easily ‘snap out' of mental health problems or illnesses. A stressful job or home life can be easily triggering for someone who has mental health conditions, as would traumatic life experiences and imbalance in brain chemistry. They can manage their conditions and lead a semblance of a normal life by seeking professional help from psychiatrists and therapists.

Myth: “You’re not depressed. You’re just sad. You’ll get over it”

Fact: Depression is a serious medical condition that should not be taken lightly or made fun of. It is also a condition that affects a person’s biological function and something that one can will away or ‘get over’. There are varying levels of intensity in depression and it cannot be diagnosed by yourself or others. Only a clinical psychiatrist can diagnose a person with depression and chart out a treatment plan, whereas other professionals such as psychologists/therapists/ counsellors can treat and support a person’s emotional well-being.

Myth: “You don’t need therapy. Just take a pill” |Therapy or self-help is a waste of time.

Fact: Everyone responds to different treatment with one main goal- recovery. Treatment for mental health problems depends on the individual- some respond only to medication, while others respond extremely well to therapy and/ or a combination of therapy and medication. Medication can only be prescribed by a clinical psychiatrist. It is best to talk to a licensed mental health therapist to determine what the best treatment plan would be.

Myth: People with mental illness cannot handle school/work efficiently.

Fact: All of us face stressful situations and each one of us sometimes struggle to handle such situations at times, not just those who live with mental illness. People with mental health conditions have successful jobs, go to school, and are active members of their communities.

Myth: Only a psychiatrist can treat you for all your mental health problems. Therapy (such as counselling, art, music and dance therapy) doesn’t work

Fact: Psychiatrists are mental health experts trained in psychiatry and can diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe medication for them, as well as suggest the best course of treatment for the client. Therapy is an integral part of the recovery process for most mental health issues and not all mental illnesses require medication. Psychiatry and therapy are derived from the same umbrella of study- psychology; psychiatry is treating for extreme mental health conditions like Alzheimer, Bipolar, etc., and therapy can help with dealing with one’s emotional self and learning healthy coping strategies- overcoming trauma, anxiety, depression, etc.

Myth: Therapy doesn’t help those with mental illness

Fact: Therapy has been proven beneficial for individuals with mental health conditions. It offers an opportunity for people with such issues to voice their thoughts and opinions on their illness, what is going on and allows professionals an opportunity to evaluate the patient’s current state and how they are responding to treatment. Additionally, therapy can be used to help those with mental illness change any thoughts and behaviours that may be harmful to themselves or their well-being.

Myth: “If you feel better, you are cured.”

Fact: Symptoms of a mental health condition can come and go. There are often environmental factors that can influence the way a person feels. Some people may start to feel better when they follow a proper treatment plan. Many of the symptoms may go away, but this does not mean you’re “cured.” The relief you feel is because of you successfully following your treatment plan. To sustain your mental health, you may need to continue treatment even after you feel better. It doesn’t matter if you need to take medication short-term or long-term; you should never stop taking medication, or change your treatment plan without talking about it with your doctor first.

Myth: A person can treat themselves with positive thought and prayer.

Fact: Positive thoughts, religion, and spirituality can be powerful tools in recovery. However, it should not be the only form of treatment. The most effective treatment would be one that is planned by a multidisciplinary team of licensed health providers and the patient.

There are many more myths like these. I encourage you to be curious about the source of the information. Ask questions. Get clarifications. If you are still not happy with the explanations provided, then consult with a certified mental health professional that would be able to help you with the truth. My suggestion- “Not everything that you hear about mental health is true unless it is from a verified source!” Equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies to be the best version of yourself!