8 Eye-Opening Mental Health Myths You Need Debunked With The Truth
Mental health is widely misunderstood by many people. It’s filled with assumptions, old wives' tales, misconceptions, stigmas, and hushed conversations that we aren’t really allowed to have. The result is far too many myths about what it means to struggle with mental illness.
So put your pride and ego aside and see how many myths you believed to be true.
Myth #1 Mental illness is uncommon
Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t have any mental illness struggles. Nobody in my family does. In fact, I don’t think I even know anyone with mental health problems.” And because you don’t really have any personal connection with mental illness, it appears to be less common. You draw the simple–yet inaccurate–conclusion that what is uncommon in your social circle must be uncommon among everyone.
But the truth is:
if you know five people, one of them has experienced some type of mental health issue. We aren’t just talking about suicidal thoughts or actions. They could struggle with anxiety, depression, overwhelming worry, self-doubt, or hopelessness. These are challenges people face and manage–often in silence–every day. Remember, just because you don’t see something or it’s not evident to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. In 2020, more than 52 million people in the US lived with a mental illness. It’s more common than you might think.
Myth #2: People with mental health struggles are just weak and need to get over themselves
If you’re a thinking person rather than a feeling person, this myth might be one of those thoughts that have crossed your mind. Suppose you are in a good place, mentally. In that case, it can be inconceivable to you that a person can’t rationalize themselves into a better train of thought. So when they can’t, the conclusion must be they are just victims of a weaker mind. The only solution is to be less emotional, be more rational, get over yourself, and move on. But what sounds simple to you is like jumping out of an airplane with no parachute for them. It’s more than terrifying; it’s life-threatening.
But the truth is:
If instead, you took a few minutes to really listen to a person who struggles with crippling anxiety or paralyzing depression, you would begin to see a very different picture. The very essence of mental struggles is firmly believing that something in your mind that is not at all true. Something in their life, whether in childhood or even recently, has triggered something in their minds and created a new way of thinking. It could be abuse, stress, or trauma, especially in genetically more susceptible people. So, to “get over themselves” isn’t even an option. Are they just weak-minded? Not even a little. But their minds have experienced something you might not understand because you’re not in their head.
Click Here to Learn About the Effects of Trauma
Myth #3: Mental illness in some people is inevitable and can’t be prevented or even really cured
Mental illness is something many of us don’t wholly understand, which can often make it harder to pursue the correct course of action when we or someone we know is struggling. But that also makes it harder to think about prevention. Because we really don’t understand mental wellness. This myth perpetuates our misunderstanding that we all have mental health and that pursuing a healthy mind takes the same diligence and intentionality as caring for our physical health.
But the truth is:
The first step must be to remove the stigma around mental illness. Anyone’s mind can become sick. Once we are willing to have the conversation, we can talk openly and freely about solutions and preventions. We can talk about the ways we can all keep our minds healthy–like reduced stress, mindfulness, exercise, and, if needed, talking to a professional.
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Myth #4: You can tell if someone has a mental illness
This one is easy. No, you can’t! And to be honest, thinking that you can is a tad bit arrogant. And no one wants to be arrogant, right?
But the truth is:
Most people suffer in secret. They already feel alone, abandoned, and isolated. They feel their problems are a burden–to themselves and others. Their minds hear a constant stream of lies that they feel cannot be shared with anyone else. Our western culture thrives on the mantra of “fake it till you make it.” So they do.
The thing is not the thing. It’s a favorite phrase of mine to remind me that regardless of the conversation or situation I am in with another person, there is often something deeper going on in that person’s life under the surface. The goal is to become a trusted enough person to discover what “the thing” really is.
Myth #5: Addiction is just a lack of willpower
Most experts agree that it takes approximately 21 days to break a habit or start a new one. But what exactly does that mean? If I want to begin a daily exercise routine to improve my health, would 21 days really do the trick to overcome my temptation to sleep in or be lazy and eat Cheetos on the couch all day? It might. But can we really apply that same logic to severe addictions like opioids, alcohol, or vaping? No matter how many conversations I have, I am always surprised and disappointed by the number of people who continue to believe that overcoming addiction (or any other mental health struggle for that matter) is just a matter of willpower and proper habit-forming. Such an attitude only adds insult to injury.
But the truth is:
While a constant stream of Netflix and Cheetos will create a rush of dopamine that creates an addictive response–and will inevitably create a dangerous habit to break–I digress. We are talking about the difference between just being lazy and being addicted. Will power over a few weeks will instill better habits. But addiction takes more work. So please, don’t go all Rocky Balboa on a friend struggling with addiction. You won’t be friends for long.
Click Here to Learn About the Effects of Substance Abuse
Myth #6: Children don’t experience mental health problems
Kids are just kids. They’re young. Their minds are still developing. Mental illnesses are far too complicated for their young minds to comprehend anyway. Besides, what could playing all day at school with friends without a care in the world do to damage their mental state? Kids are resilient. Well, They shouldn’t experience mental health problems. That I can agree with.
But the truth is:
More than half of all mental illnesses begin at age 14. Today, our kids are experiencing unprecedented levels of trauma, bullying, anxiety, broken homes, and large degrees of stress their minds aren’t yet designed to handle. Before they reach high school, kids are being diagnosed with disorders and seeking treatment–some have even contemplated suicide. Some follow through with it. Whether we like it or not, mental illness is a genuine part of our kids' lives. It shouldn’t be. But we live in a very broken world, and we should be doing everything possible to remind them how much they are loved, valued, and have purpose.
Click Here to Learn About Teen Mental Health
Myth #7: Teens don’t have mental health problems. They are just moody and dramatic
When I was a teenager and told my mom that I was planning on running away, she offered to pack my bags. When I flippantly told her the world would be better off without me, she dared me to follow through. I know what you’re thinking…really? Did she really say that? Yes, she did. She did what most parents did in the ’80s and 90’s–she called my bluff. We didn’t talk about depression, anxiety, or–dare I say it–suicide. And for some of us, that thinking has leaked its way over into the new millennium. But the world has changed–drastically. I didn’t have the pressures kids have today. And if I was depressed (and I often was), it was brushed aside as a phase, moodiness, or just plain being dramatic. After all, that’s what teenagers do, right?
Okay, they are moody.
But the truth is:
Our students today are experiencing greater levels of emotional pain than any previous generation. This means they are experiencing a greater need to escape the world, leading them to substance abuse, over-eating, over gaming, and literally anything else they can grab on to ease the pain. The world our students are growing up in is the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of mental illnesses and struggles. And because many of their parents grew up with a stigma around mental illness firmly in place, there is still a fear of sharing their struggle that lingers about.
Myth #8: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
I am sure you have heard–or maybe experienced yourself–a friend or family member who is just set in their ways. Despite their toxic thoughts and depression, they are old enough that things just can’t change any more. Perhaps you feel that way about yourself. You’ve resolved to live with whatever mental struggles you have because there is just no way you’re going to change now. Resistance is futile. But I have good news for you, friend. There’s a revolution coming.
But the truth is:
Our brains are actually made with the ability to be rewired. It’s a fancy term called neuroplasticity. It’s a big world with a simple meaning. Essentially, it means no matter how ingrained a thought is in our minds, the thought can be changed given time and work. Think of it this way: you carve several tunnels in the dirt. When you gently pour water through the tunnels, the water will find the path of least resistance. If I want to change the water’s course, I have to create a new tunnel. This is precisely how our brains work. Change is possible, so it doesn’t really matter how old we are or how set in the ways we are.
We all have mental health. We all should take care of our mental health and we should have the truth about it.
