HALF LIES AND TRUTHS: MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

 

If you could jump into someone’s mind, and have the ability to see or experience, the thoughts and emotions that they have, what would you do?

 

Better yet, what if someone could jump into your mind and see or experience, some of the thoughts and emotions you have, would you let them?

 

Now, let’s pause for a moment and imagine how this conversation between the two of you would go, after all you have discovered.

 

Is it your cup of tea? Or would you need a specific venue for this?

 

In our world today, mental health has gained quite some attention and similarly, the things that affect it and improve it. In this thin line of knowing what works and what doesn’t in attempts to manage or work with our mental health and mental health conditions, they have been ways in which information regarding mental health conditions have been blurred and probably given a face that is not of its own.

This could be due to certain stereotypes, norms and traditions that are entrenched in cultures, communities and society at large, which are opposed or conflicted to the nature of mental health conditions.

This, in itself, creates a mix of various misunderstandings that blend in society, and create false perceptions and definitions that affect those that are affected with mental health conditions, their families as well as their close relationships.

Common myths and facts of mental health conditions

Some of the myths that develop, at times tend to be very specific to certain cultures or communities. However, for now, we shall focus on some of them, that are common in society and tend to be occur more often in instances of the existence of mental health conditions within a group of people.

Myth: A person with a mental health condition has low intelligence

Fact: Some mental health conditions often tend to come with cognitive impairments. Cognition refers to the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. 

Therefore, some individuals often have issues with things such as memory, reasoning and other functions. However, this does not mean they have low intelligence but rather tend to acquire information in different ways than the other people. Through treatment, they are able to have normal lives and perform daily tasks like others.

Myth: Mental health should only be handled when a mental health condition has occurred

Fact: Mental health conditions can happen to anyone at any time and some of them tend to give signs that we all need to be aware of.

A crisis or sudden appearance of a mental health condition is not the only time when mental health should be worked on or given attention.

Daily life stressors and factors such as our lifestyle can easily spring up serious and severe mental health conditions that can be avoided if we often take measures to ensure our mental health is operating at an optimum.

Myth: Poor mental health among teenagers is not a real concern and often are mood swings and raging emotions

Fact: The teenage period of an individual’s growth and development, involves a lot of changes in their physical state, but also a huge change in the emotional and mental state, when they look to define their identity and overcome certain pressures.

This can bring about unexplained behaviour which at times can be frustrating. However, the same unexplained behaviour due to their attempts to try to define their identity amongst various pressures can lead to disturbed mental health to conditions such as depression, substance abuse etc.

Therefore, it is important to also consider the mental health of teenagers during their phase of growth.

Myth: People who develop and suffer from mental health conditions are irredeemable members of society

Fact: The development of mental health conditions can arise due to a various number of factors.

Despite some mental health conditions having the potential to have severe symptoms that impair daily life, some of the factors that lead to the development of mental health conditions, are not in the control of the individual such as genetics in a family, adverse conditions growing up in childhood and many others.

However, all is not lost for individuals with mental health conditions, as they can also access mental health care which can help them attain treatment and greater standards of living, which aid them to become positive contributors to society in their fields of work and communities.

Myth: A mental health condition is a sign of a weakness in an individual

Fact: Mental health conditions are not choices that individuals make out of their own will. Various factors give rise to the mental health conditions which range from daily life stressors, genetics and traumatic events that a person does not actually choose.

Given that they occur without the will of the individual, this therefore means, it is not a weakness that someone has or is unwilling to break away from but an issue with their health, which is normal for every one of us, who may have a health issue.

Myth: Bad parenting is a cause of mental health conditions in children or a child with a mental health condition reflects an irresponsible parent

Fact: As mentioned, the development of mental health conditions stems from a various number of factors, which include family genetics, traumatic events or daily life stressors.

Despite some conditions which involve a parent’s violent behaviour or lack of care for their child, which can lead to mental health conditions in children, the presence of a mental health condition does not indicate a flaw in the parent doing their best to help their child who has a mental health condition.

Some mental health conditions, unfortunately, tend to be chronic, which means they occur frequently, and despite the best efforts of the parent to help their children with treatment, their child may persist and it is out of their control.

Myth: People with mental health conditions are dangerous and scary

Fact: Mental health conditions tend to cause individuals to have irrational and illogical behaviour that cannot be comprehended by the average person.

However, despite some symptoms of mental health conditions seeming severe, most of the individuals with mental health conditions are actually targeted violently due to this stereotype and are seen as trouble to society.

The lack of education within the public to understand the behaviours of people with mental health conditions leads to the rise of suspicion and negative beliefs of people with mental health conditions. A greater understanding can bring about better union between the public and individuals with mental health conditions

 

Myth: Mental health conditions only affect people of a certain socioeconomic status

Fact: Mental health conditions are developed as a result of various factor such as genetics, traumatic events and daily life stressors.

Despite the quality of life, in various socioeconomic levels, giving an inclination to possible mental health conditions, a mental health condition is does not chose a socioeconomic level, to exist.

Anyone within the possible factors that can precipitate a mental health condition can develop signs and symptoms of the specific mental health condition.

Myth: Mental health conditions are demonic and a product of witchcraft

Fact: Mental health conditions, often have behaviours that are not easily comprehended and at times can seem very bizarre.

However, these are due to the influencing factors from their mental health condition, which cause the signs and symptoms to develop, which affect their thoughts and emotions.

Therefore, mental health conditions, do not develop from summoning of demons and practices of witchcraft.

 

Conclusion

Mental health conditions just like physical health conditions, are about the state of a person’s health. The individual comes into a compromising health condition due to the factors that affect the normal working conditions of their health.

However, when it does come to mental health, the lines are a bit blurred due to the nature of mental health conditions and how they conflict with norms of a culture or community. It tends to lead to debates on what tends to work and things that are unable to work, when a person’s normal mental health state is affected, which include, livelihood, family, marriage, relationships and positive contributions to society.

This leads to various perceptions and stereotypes about mental health conditions being developed and affecting the existing nature of people with mental health conditions or those with loved ones who have mental health conditions.

Some of these myths can be harmful because they lead to marginalization, violent behaviour, lack of access to essential products and services for daily life, limited opportunity to become beneficial members of society and reduced opportunities to get a livelihood for people with a mental health condition.

Whether you are an individual living with a mental health condition, or you have loved one who has a mental health condition, it is important to remember that being educated on mental health conditions are often a strong tool in navigating the myths that society create.

For those who are not affected with a mental health condition and are associated with a person with a mental health condition, at work, school or in social or recreational venues, it is important, to be able to be educated on mental health conditions to improve one’s attitude towards the mental health conditions affecting those around you.

References

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/busted-7-myths-about-mental-health

https://www.mhfa.com.au/the-6-most-common-mental-health-myths/