Transcript Mental Illness - bbspsych-b4

Mental Illness:
Fact or Fiction?
Ryerson University
Myth #1
• Psychiatric disorders are not true medical
illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
People who have a mental illness are just
"crazy."
Fact!
• Actually, just like heart disease and
diabetes, brain disorders are legitimate
medical illnesses. Research indicates that
there are genetic and biological causes
for psychiatric disorders, and they can be
treated effectively.
(SAMHSA, 2011)
Myth #2
• People with severe mental illnesses are
usually dangerous and violent.
Fact!
• Statistics actually show that the incidence
of violence in people who have a brain
disorder is not much higher than it is in
the general population. Those suffering
from a psychosis such as schizophrenia
are actually more frightened and
confused than violent.
(SAMHSA, 2011)
Myth #3
• Mental illness is the result of bad
parenting.
Fact!
• Wrong! Research shows that there are a
variety of factors that lead to a psychiatric
disorder such as genetic susceptibility
combined with other risk factors.
(SAMHSA, 2011)
Myth #4
• Depression occurs because of an
individual weakness or character flaw,
and people aren’t trying hard enough to
“snap out of it”
Fact!
• Depression has nothing to do with being
lazy or weak. Changes in brain chemistry
and medication and/or psychotherapy
often help people to recover.
(Shomon, 2001)
Myth #5
• Schizophrenia means you have an
uncontrollable split personality
Fact!
• Actually, schizophrenia is often confused
with multiple personality disorder. The
former is a brain disorder that hinders an
individual’s ability to think clearly and
logically. The symptoms range from social
withdrawal to hallucinations and
delusions. Medication has helped many of
these individuals to lead fulfilling,
productive lives.
(Shomon, 2001)
Myth #6
• Depression is a normal part of the aging
process.
Fact!
• On the contrary, it’s not normal for older
adults to be depressed. This illness often
remains undiagnosed (which is why it is
important for the elderly to know when to
seek professional help). Signs of
depression in older people include a loss
of interest in activities, sleep disturbances
and lethargy.
(Shomon, 2001)
Myth #7
•
Depression and other illnesses, such as
anxiety disorders, do not affect children or
adolescents. Any problems they have are
just a part of growing up.
Fact!
• Mental Illness does not discriminate! This
means that even children and adolescents can
develop severe mental illnesses. Serious
issues can arise if these problems are left
untreated. Anyone talking about suicide should
be taken very seriously.
(Shomon, 2001)
Myth #8
•
You can make a mental illness go away by
yourself. Being treated for a psychiatric
disorder means that you are a “weak”
person
Fact!
• Serious mental illnesses cannot be “willed”
away. But, ignoring the problem doesn’t make
it go away, either. It takes courage to talk
about it and to seek professional help.
(Shomon, 2001)
Myth #9
• Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack
of willpower. People with a substance abuse
problem are morally weak or "bad".
Fact!
• Fact: Addiction has nothing to do with
being a "bad" person. It is a disease that
generally results from changes in brain
chemistry.
(Grohol, 1998)
Myth #10
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (also
known as “shock treatment”), is painful
and barbaric.
Fact!
• When other treatments such as psychotherapy
or medication are ineffective, ECT is an option.
Patients receiving ECT are asleep and under
anesthesia, so they do not feel anything.
Outcomes have been very positive and has
given a new lease on life to many people
suffering from severe depression.
(Grohon, 1998)
References
•
Mental illness: myths and facts. (2011). Retrieved from
http://www.whatadiffe rence.samhsa.gov/learn.asp?nav=n
av01_1&content=1_1_mythsfacts
•
Shomon, M. (2001). Top 10 myths about mental illness. Retrieved
from http://thyroid.about.com/library/news/blmentalmyths.htm
•
Grohol, J. M. (1998). Top 10 myths about mental illness. Retrieved
from http://psychcentral.com/archives/top_myths.htm