Myth Busters

1) Mental illnesses are often genetically inherited. FACT

Mental illness is often genetically inherited and there is a higher chance of getting an illness if a person has close relatives with a specific condition.

2) Mental Illnesses are common. FACT

Approximately 25 million Americans are affected by mental illness each year including 7.5 million children and teens. 1.2% of the population suffers from Bipolar Disorder specifically.

3) Mental illness is caused by poor parenting or weak personal character. MYTH

Mental illness is genetically influenced and biologically based, not the cause of inadequate parenting, sin, lack of self control, or personal weakness. NO ONE IS AT FAULT!!!

4) Recovery from mental illness is highly unlikely. MYTH

Mental illness is treatable! Appropriate medical care and rehabilitation enable many to recover enough to live productive lives.

5) Severe mental illness is not preventable or curable at this point in time. FACT

There is no known cure or prevention for mental illness as of yet.

6) Mental illness is a biologically based disease/disorder of the brain. FACT

Mental illness is genetically influenced and biologically based. NO ONE IS AT FAULT!!! Biological brain disorders interfere with the normal brain chemistry and functioning that influence behaviors.

7) People suffering from mental illness brought it upon themselves. MYTH

Mental illness is not the cause sin, lack of self control, or personal weakness.

NO ONE IS AT FAULT!!! Biological brain disorders interfere with the normal brain chemistry and functioning that influence behaviors.

8) The illness is completely out of the control of the person suffering from it. FACT/MYTH

Mentally ill people have control over some behaviors that influence the severity of their symptoms and the consequences connected to them. (examples include: choosing to take medication as prescribed, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and other suggestions given by trained professionals.) They are not, however, in control of the presence of symptoms and emotions related to having a mental illness such as feeling depressed or suicidal, feeling extremely elated or invincible, being in an alternate reality etc.

9) Someone is always to blame for the presence of mental illness. MYTH......NO ONE IS AT FAULT!!!

10) The mentally ill are highly violent and dangerous. MYTH/FACT

Mentally ill people who take regular medication properly are no more aggressive than the rest of the population and are even withdrawn or passive. However, those who are untreated are 6 times more liable to commit a violent act and this number increases severely when substance abuse is added to the picture. Past violent behavior is the best predictor of the likelihood of future acts of aggression in each individual.

11) Inquiring about a person’s suicidal intentions increases their actual risk of committing suicide. MYTH

Acting on suspicions of suicidal plans in the mentally ill can save lives. When individuals divulge information about their feelings of worthlessness and desire to end their lives, it often gives them relief and helps them feel accepted and cared about when someone is willing to listen to them.FACT