Uploaded byMonika Kanwar
Misconceptions about mental illness
The document addresses common misconceptions about mental illness, emphasizing that many beliefs stem from superstition, stigma, and misinformation. It clarifies myths such as the notion that mental illness is rare, hereditary, or a result of personal weakness, and stresses that these conditions are often treatable and do not define an individual's worth or capabilities. The document aims to educate and reduce stigma surrounding mental health through accurate information and understanding.
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Misconceptions about mental illness
- 1. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS PRESENTEDBY: MS. MONIKA KANWAR NURSING TUTOR M.Sc. (N) MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
- 2. INTRODUCTION • Beliefs aboutmental illness have been characterized by superstition, ignorance and fear. Although time and advances in scientific understanding of mental illness have dispelled many false ideas, there remain a number of popular misconceptions.
- 3. MEANING • MYTHS: Mythsare stories that are used to explain what we do not know, and contribute strongly to stigma against people who have a mental illness. • “Myth busting” may help decrease stigma.
- 4. CONTD…. 1. Mental illnessis unusual FACT: Many mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression etc. are in fact called common mental disorder. Rather it is quite common.
- 5. CONTD…. 2. Mental illnessis caused by supernatural power and is the result of a curse or possession by evil spirit FACT: Many people do not consider mental illness as an illness, but possession by spirits or curse that has bef allen on the patient or family because of past sins or misdeeds in previous life.
- 6. CONTD…. 3. Mental illnessdo not happen to individual who are strong FACT: Mental health problem can occur to anybody, including those who are seen as strong or weak as it depends upon multiple and complex mix of biological and psychological factors.
- 7. CONTD…. 4. Mentally illpeople show bizarre behavior FACT: Patients in mental hospitals and clinics are often picturized as a weird lot, who spend their time exhibiting useless bizarre behavior like twisting of hands, etc.
- 8. CONTD…. 5. Mentally illpeople are dangerous FACT: Vast majority of people with a mental illness are not violent. In cases when violence does occur, the incident typically results from the same reasons as with general public, such as feeling threatened or excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs.
- 9. CONTD…. 6. Mental illnessis something to be ashamed of FACT: This idea arouses an unsympathetic, cruel attitude towards a mentally ill person. This is the reason why many people hide mental illness in the family.
- 10. CONTD…. 7. Mental illnessis not curable FACT: People object to have normal relationship with mentally ill people, or to give them employment even after being cured, or even to accept them as neighbors.
- 11. CONTD…. 8. Mental illnessis contagious: FACT: The fear that it is contagious is the main false notion which leads people to view suspiciously, or object to marital relations with a person belonging to the household of the mentally ill.
- 12. CONTD…. 9. Mental illnessis hereditary: FACT: It is not a rule that children of mentally ill patients should become mentally ill.
- 13. CONTD…. 10. Marriage cancure mental illness: FACT: A mentally ill person can get worse if he gets married when he is ill, as marriage can become an additional stress. A patient who has recovered can get married and live a normal life like any other person.
- 14. CONTD…. 11. Mental hospitalsare places where only dangerous mentally ill individuals are treated and restraint is a major form of treatment: FACT: People hesitate to take their relatives to mental hospitals for treatment because of fear. Further, as ex-patient of a mental hospital, he, as well as his family members are often isolated. Therefore, people seek help from mental hospitals only as a last resort.
- 15. CONTD…. 12. People withmental illness can work low-level jobs but aren’t suited for really important or responsible positions: FACT: People with mental illnesses, like everyone else, have the potential to work at any level depending on their own abilities, experiences and motivation.
- 16. CONTD…. 13. Mental illnessesare caused by the usual stresses of life FACT: Everyday life stresses are normal and necessary for learning and developing life skills. They do not causes mental illness. For some people, severe and persistent stress increases the risk for developing a mental illness.
- 17. CONTD…. 14. When thementally ill attempt suicide, it is a cry for help: FACT: People suffering from mental illness will become suicidal only if their earlier, actual cries for help were not noticed, acknowledged or taken seriously. Failed suicide attempts by mentally ill are a sign that urgent and immediate intervention is required, but the best course of action is to respond to the initial cries for help at the time they occur.
- 18. CONTD…. 15. Mental healthtreatments are about just medication that make individual dull, drowsy and dependent FACT: Psychiatric medication are meant to target the symptoms of the conditions. Though some medications may have side effects such as excessive drowsiness, many new medication may have minimal side effects. Most of them do not have potential for addiction. Also, there are multiple treatments available, including a wide range of psychological treatment for different conditions.
- 19. CONTD…. 16. If someonehas a mental illness, they cannot live a normal, productive life FACT: In spite of the suffering, many individual with mental illness can live a productive and satisfying life as there are effective treatment approaches available to manage a variety of mental health conditions.
- 20. CONTD…. 17. Mental illnessis a sign of personal weakness FACT: Mental illnesses are not a condition that people to choose to have or not have. Mental illness is a brain disorder and not a personal weakness.
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