Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior. Mental illnesses are often associated with distress or problems linked to social, work or family activities. Mental illness is very common and has increased significantly since Covid 19.
In this article, we evaluate misconceptions about Mental Illness:
Belief: Mental illnesses should not be considered as medical illnesses like cancer or high blood pressure.
Truth: Mental disorders are medical illnesses just like heart disease and diabetes. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for mental illness, and they can be treated effectively, especially with early detection and intervention.
Belief: Stress causes mental illness.
Truth: The specific causes of mental illness are not yet known. Stress and factors such as genetic predisposition and abnormalities in brain chemicals are also contributing factors beyond stress.
Myth: People with mental illness are less intelligent.
Truth: Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class or income level. Famous people with various mental illnesses include mathematician John Nash, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway.
Belief: Mental illness is a sign of weakness.
Truth: A mental illness is an illness, not a character flaw. It has nothing to do with being weak or lacking will-power. Although people with mental illness can play a big part in their own recovery, they did not choose to become ill.
Belief: People with mental illnesses are lost cause.
Belief: The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective. With appropriate medication, psychotherapy and rehabilitation services, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process.
Belief: Mental illnesses are uncommon.
Truth: Four of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide are mental disorders. Among developed nations, major depression is the leading cause of disability. Also near the top of these rankings are bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Since the Covid 19, the number of mental illness cases has jumped by up to 50% in developed countries.
Should you have any symptoms of fatigue, depressions, desire of suicide, you should not hesitate to consult a doctor!
Contact Wellnex Concierge if you need help!