Myths and Facts about Mental Health Issues

According to a report by Mental Health America (MHA), 19.00% of adults have a mental illness in 2021, which is equivalent to over 47 million Americans. Among them 4.55% are experiencing severe mental illness.
These are the figures for diagnosed mental health issues. One can only imagine how high these figures would be for anxiety and depressive disorders that mostly go undiagnosed. In a recent survey, Forbes reports that anxiety, depression, acts of self-harm, and suicide rates are accelerating among American teens, with 56% teens reported having an acquaintance who has  considered self-harm or suicide.
Thus, it's time we start a conversation about mental health; as Glenn Close says, "What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation." And discussing mental health without any sigma so individuals can seek professional help is the only way out.
So, keep reading to learn about some common myths and facts attached to mental health.

Myth #1: You're delusional

Mental illness alters your thought process, impacts your mood, and affects you perception of reality but that doesn't mean you're crazy or delusional. You're just vulnerable.
The saddest part is that after constantly being told that something is wrong with them, individuals with a mental illness start believing that they're crazy. But that isn't true. Don't let anyone convince you that your mental problem is anything to be ashamed of.
It's just like any other disease that should be treated—as such, you deserve a proper treatment and that's why if you feel like your thoughts have become overwhelming and are taking a toll on you, reach out to a professional therapist ASAP.

Myth #2: You can snap out of it

Have you ever told your friends about how anxious you've been feeling lately and said "Ah, just forget about it, ma?."
People with mental illnesses often come across such dismissing reactions.
But the fact remains that no one chooses to be depressed. Some people mistakenly think that people get depressed just because they give in and allow themselves to feel sad. They foolishly think that all can be fixed with a little positive thinking.
When, in reality, you can't simply snap out of a mental illness. Depressive disorder is more than laziness or self-pity, it's a medical condition. And the idea that one break away from it's as absurd as expecting to recover from cancer without seeking any medical treatment.

Myth #3: PSTD is only a man's illness

PTSD isn't exclusively a man's disease; anyone can have it.
In fact, a woman is nearly twice as likely as a man to get PTSD after a traumatic event such as a sexual assault, domestic abuse, or natural disaster.
Even seeing someone getting beaten up or physically threatened can lead you to develop PTSD.
The symptoms range from having horrible flashbacks, nightmares or night terrors, trouble sleeping, frequent panic attacks, not being able to talk about that incident without getting triggered, and more.  

Myth #4: Medication for mental illness are bad

It's hard to believe that people still foolishly cling to the idea that psychiatric medications bring more harm than good. Or they believe that these medicines are some sort of "happy pills."
It's not a magic pill that can erase all of your year-long troubles in one go.
Just like every other medical condition, mental illness is an illness at the end of the day. Medication is necessary for some just like insulin is for some diabetic patients.

Myth  #5: Anti-depressant is all it takes

Anti-depressants are just one among many other solutions for treating medical illness. These drugs can impact your brain's functioning to address the underlying biological concerns that may be the cause for your mental health problems.
Regardless, anti-depressants alone aren't enough for many people. It's best to pair them with psychotherapy or talk therapy to get the most rewarding outcome.

Myth #6: You can't ever work with mental illness

Though it's true to some degree that holding down a job becomes extremely hard with a mental illness, many people recover and are able to successfully manage work.
In addition, it's important to note that mental illnesses are treatable and with the right treatment, people go on to live normally. The symptoms can improve with professional help.

Myth #7: You can't recover from a mental illness

Many people make it the through the mild episodes of mental disorders and never go through them again. Others with more serious condition succeed in controlling their symptoms and live a normal life just like everyone else.  
Recovery mostly depends on the type of the mental illness. But recovery too depends on the people's perspective—it can mean different things for different people.
Many people think of controlling symptoms as recovery while for some it has to be complete removal.
Either way, you don't have to live with a mental illness forever.

Myth #8: If your parents have depression, so will you

Many people believe that if depression runs in your family, you’re likely to have it too because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Only experts don't agree and unsure how big a part genetics play in mental disorders.
Though it's wise to be aware of your family history but believing that you have depression because your great grandfather had it is a bit of a stretch, to say the least.
You shouldn't be even worrying about this. Just focus on the factors you can manage like alcohol or drug consumption to lower the risk of depression.  

Myth #9: Seeking mental help is not worth it

We know that it's can be overwhelming to come to terms with the fact that you need professional help. It's definitely not easy to open up to a stranger about your real life struggles.

But at the same time, it's a little easy as well.
The stranger you're opening up to is a trained psychologists who will listen to you with empathy and understand your emotions. They'll make you feel heard, welcomed, and loved. Each day, with psychotherapy you'll get closer to yourself and oblivious of the perceptions of others.
And as German poet Rainer Maria Rilke says, "The only journey is the journey within," you'll find this journey of self-discovery extremely rewarding and totally worth it.

The first step is always the most difficult. But if we don't take it for our better mental health, who else will? So, it's time to get talking about the mental health challenges you face every day because we care.
At TelMDCare, we offer online doctor consultation services for a range of medical concerns. Our team of expert doctors specialize in treating all kinds of health concerns, including depression, men's and women's health, dermatology, chronic care, and more.
Get in touch to book an online doctor appointment for depression with one of our general practitioners online.