Subscribe now!
Write a short description about your product/offer. Keep it short, but provide the essential information they need to be able to make sense of what's coming.
Over the last few years, we have been seeing a shift in the healthcare field, with mental health increasingly receiving the attention it never received in the past.
It goes without saying that this is an excellent and much-needed movement. However, just like with anything that is advancing, there is a lot of misinformation spread around. These myths and misconceptions cripple the advancement of mental health awareness.
Below are some common misconceptions you might have come across.
This is quite common in most cultures and contexts. People are often encouraged to ‘toughen up.’ It has been believed that having mental health problems is because someone is weak. Because of this belief, seeing a mental health professional is considered a waste of money.
Mental health problems are illnesses and should be treated as such. Just as you go and see a doctor when you are not feeling well, you should also see a professional if your mental state is not well.
Surely, some people are prone to having mental health conditions due to their family history or early childhood experiences.
However, that does not necessarily mean that nothing at all can be done to prevent the development of these conditions.
Seeking help in the early stages, having supportive relationships, and meditating (among several other things) can significantly reduce one’s chances of developing mental health conditions.
Their existence in your family should not be viewed as an inescapable doom. You can do the best you can to keep your mental health in the best state possible.
There is a widespread yet inaccurate belief that only people who had rough childhoods can have mental health conditions.
A rough childhood and some unresolved traumas stemming from there can definitely increase the chances of mental health conditions in an individual. But, that does not mean that those who had a ‘good’ childhood will never have to experience these conditions.
There are several intertwined factors such as unemployment, exposure to violence or traumatic events, hormonal imbalances, stress and social isolation that can cause mental health issues.
Despite what your childhood looked like, anyone can experience mental illnesses. That is why it is important for everyone to ensure that they have the help and support they need to overcome problems before they escalate.
I’ve heard so many people saying they will never consider therapy because they have family and friends who are happy to listen and provide advice when needed.
Not only is this belief unfair to the said friends, but it also disadvantages the individual who will be in need of professional help. Substituting a therapist with a friend means that friend has to listen to all your problems and risk trauma dumping, which can be exhausting to the listener.
Having friends that give you helpful advice is great but remember, they are not professional mental health workers so you shouldn’t treat them as such. When there is a need, consider talking to someone who is licensed to help people deal with psychological issues.
Due to the misunderstanding around how therapy works, some people are convinced that the intervention does not work. Perhaps we are used to the idea that pharmaceutical medications seem to make the pain instantly go away; we expect the same from therapy.
Because therapy does not grant us an immediate remedy doesn’t mean that it does not work. Studies have found that talk therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy are effective in treating mental health conditions.
Further studies have also confirmed that when used in combination with medication, these interventions are even more effective.
Awareness is a great step towards accepting and creating an environment that fosters a good mental health well-being.
As you can probably tell, there is an element of truth in most of these myths. However, that truth is muddled up with some inaccurate facts. We all have the responsibility of educating ourselves and those close to us.
The myths, misconceptions, misunderstandings and stereotypes that exist around mental illness foster discrimination, judgment and isolation.
Mental health conditions are more common than most people realize. Thankfully, treatment is also widely available. Websites such as Good therapy and DoMental make it easier for you to receive therapy from the comfort of your home.
LATEST
February 4, 2024
February 1, 2024
January 28, 2024
CATEGORIES
wake up to dailymotivation!
Get Motivational Quotes, Affirmations, and insightful content delivered to your inbox every morning!
Session expired
Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.