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Myths
about Mental Illness
Myth: "Mental illnesses are
not real diseases like heart disease and cancer."
Fact: While many psychiatric disorders cannot be detected through simple
blood tests or biopsies, these diseases have been linked in studies to a
biological origin. Some psychiatric disorders may be situational and temporary,
caused by extreme stress or life changes such as a death of a loved one or a
divorce.
Myth: "People who need psychiatric care should be
locked away in institutions."
Fact: The notion that all people with mental illnesses should be
institutionalized is a thing of the past. Today, there are a variety of care
providers, programs and medications that allow most patients to lead productive
lives within their communities.
Myth: "A person who has had a mental illness can
never be normal."
Fact: Mental illness is often a temporary condition. A previously
well-adjusted individual may have an episode of illness lasting weeks or months,
and then may go for years, even a lifetime, without further difficulty. To label
such a recovered patient "abnormal" is both unfair and unrealistic.
Myth: "Mentally ill persons are dangerous."
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent.
In the cases when violence does occur, the incidence typically results from the
same reasons as with the general public such as feeling threatened or excessive
use of alcohol and/or drugs.
Myth: "Recovered mental patients can work
low-level jobs but aren’t suited for really important or responsible
positions."
Fact: Like everyone else, people with mental illnesses are individuals.
Career potential depends on a person’s particular talents, abilities,
intelligence, experience and motivation as well as his/her current state of
physical and mental health.
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