4 common myths about mental health

Mental health is an important aspect of overall psychological well-being. Additionally, mental health is more than an absence of mental disorders—it is an integral part of health, determined by a range of socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors. It is the ability to cope with normal stresses of life, maintain a positive outlook, manage one’s emotions, and have fulfilling relationships. Good mental health enables individuals to reach self-actualization, acquire their potential, and make contributions to their communities.

Considering that a thorough approach to mental health includes both prevention and treatment, holistic viewpoints should understand the diverse components included in emotional, physical, and social well-being. However, there are many misconceptions about mental health. These falsehoods may seriously harm people seeking support. Despite the existence of numerous mental health programs aimed at addressing common obstacles to seeking help, these misunderstandings continue to persist. Here are some widespread myths about mental health.

Myth #1: Mental health conditions are signs of weakness.

This could not be further from the truth. Mental health issues can literally affect everyone. This myth can be extremely harmful. Long-held societal attitudes and stereotypes about mental health form its foundation. Historically, people commonly believed that moral and intellectual deficiencies caused mental health conditions. Further, it led to the belief that mental health conditions were a result of personal weakness or character flaws.

As time went on, society began to comprehend mental health issues and the biological, psychological, and environmental/socioeconomic aspects that contributed to them. Psychotherapists tackle the same question of how trauma and life experiences contribute to the development of mental health disorders in various ways while simultaneously providing evidence-based treatments that can lessen their clients’ suffering. Here, psychoeducation is very significant. Psychotherapists can help reduce feelings of isolation, shame, and despair by helping clients normalize their experiences. They can also help clients develop self-compassion by addressing self-doubt and invalidation, which involves validating their internal experiences. By understanding the causes of their suffering, people may develop the psychological resilience needed to deal with their problems.

However, the most important point is that mental health conditions are not a personal choice; they are neither a sign of weakness nor can they ever be considered one. Moreover, they are signs of personal strength and psychological resilience, keeping in mind the fact that people who struggle with mental disorders must deal with all the problems that others deal with—in addition to their own mental health issues. Their burden is heavy. It signals to the wider community that they need assistance and support, not condemnation.

Myth #2: Mental health conditions are rare.

According to the World Health Organization, “a mental disorder is characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.” One in every 8 people in the world lives with a mental disorder. In fact, it is very common to experience some mental health conditions during your life span, often associated with impairment in functioning and significant distress.

It is difficult to pinpoint the myth’s genesis. People who suffer do not seek assistance or share their experiences because of this idea, which may have been influenced by several circumstances. Stigma, including self-stigma, is undoubtedly one of the key contributors. Fear of social rejection may prevent someone from sharing their troubles. Self-stigma, defined as the negative attitudes and beliefs that individuals with mental health issues may internalize due to societal perceptions of their condition, can be a source of fear. It is internalized stigma. People commonly encounter guilt, shame, and embarrassing emotions.

Self-stigma not only affects how they perceive themselves, hurting their self-esteem and self-efficacy, but it also affects their willingness to seek treatment and their capability to do so.

Myth #3: Mental health treatment is not effective.

Various modalities of mental health treatment, such as therapy and medication, can help improve quality of life. But this myth is particularly detrimental to the motivation of a person with a mental health disorder to find a therapist and seek professional help. If someone believes that the treatment is not effective, this belief may further enhance feelings of shame, despair, and helplessness. Again, as this belief strengthens, the barriers to seeking help will become stronger too. An individual will not want to engage in finding the right support and most likely will be discouraged from doing anything beneficial for her mental health.

This way of thinking can lead to a perilous path, where the individual begins to doubt their ability to receive help. Along with the stigma mentioned earlier, which can show up in various ways like misunderstanding and discrimination, these thought patterns can create a new identity based mostly on self-stigma and self-hatred, leading to actions like isolating oneself, negative self-talk, and harmful behaviors.

It is of essential importance to keep in mind that, today, we have a large body of evidence that all sorts of mental health interventions do help. Pharmacotherapy often accompanies psychotherapy, but it can also stand alone. Occasionally the interventions are supplemented with mindfulness-based interventions and practices (e.g., yoga), psychosocial interventions, lifestyle modifications, etc. Regardless of the combination that works best for you, persistently seeking professional assistance and openly discussing your issues is a significant step towards a more promising future.

Myth #4: Mental health conditions are permanent.

A person’s quality of life can be considerably improved by overcoming mental health disorders or finding better ways to manage them. This myth is particularly reinforced by self-stigma since the individual not only believes they are helpless and without hope right now but also believes they will always be like this. A new identity is developing, one in which the subject regularly has the perception of low self-worth. Because the person’s self-hatred-based behavioral habits will be reinforced as they get even more entrenched, a dangerous self-perpetuating cycle is also created.

Long ago, people believed that supernatural forces, such as the possession of evil spirits, caused mental health conditions. This led to the belief that mental health disorders are incurable and that those who suffered from them were doomed to a life of eternal struggle and pain. As science has progressed and developed new research methods, it has become clear that mental health conditions are not permanent and that recovery is possible. Research conducted over an extended period on people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder has revealed that with the right combination of care and support, a substantial proportion of patients can experience significant symptom relief and lead fulfilling lives.

Therefore, with the assistance of mental health professionals, people can learn to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of mental health conditions or to live with their issues with little to no influence. Then, their behavior is directed to value-oriented actions instead of self-fulfilling prophecies of doom and gloom. A more optimistic outlook on life begins to emerge, accompanied by the emergence of a new identity characterized by more positive self-evaluations, rooted in the recognition of the individual’s authentic needs.

In conclusion, numerous myths have persisted throughout the history of mental health issues. One of the most widespread misconceptions is that mental health issues are untreatable and irreversible. But this is not the case. Research has demonstrated that it is possible to recover from mental disorders. It’s critical to keep in mind that because mental health issues are usually very complex, each patient will require a highly tailored course of treatment. Destigmatizing mental health issues, encouraging help-seeking, and disseminating a message of hope and healing are crucial.