Mental health issues have a long history of being stigmatized in many cultures. The ideology behind much of the stigmatizing beliefs is based on a lack of understanding of what mental health is and how it affects the human mind and body. As with many unknown or misunderstood things, myths arise in the mental health space quite often. In this article, we present a few common misconceptions and reveal the truth behind them.
Myth 1: Only mentally insane people see a therapist.
For a long time, it was assumed that if you see a therapist you are ‘crazy’ (i.e. deranged, out of your mind). Over the past few years that ideology has taken a back burner as more people are becoming aware of the benefits of talk therapy for their mental health even if they are not living with a chronic mental illness.
Talk therapy has helped many people work through difficult emotions, challenge limiting beliefs and make tough decisions with lifelong implications. These issues are not comorbidities of any mental illness. In fact, in many cases seeing a therapist early can lessen the chances of developing a more serious mental illness like clinical depression. Talk therapy has also proven to help individuals living with mental illness develop strategies and techniques of coping before the illness becomes more damaging. All in all, the benefits of talk therapy far outweigh any negative assumptions there are so it is definitely worth a try.
Myth 2: Certain mental illnesses make those affected more dangerous.
This one can be difficult to challenge because of the influence mainstream media has on society’s perception of certain mental illnesses (think the movie ‘Split‘ in relation to Dissociative Identity Disorder). As a result of mainstream media, the notion that certain types of mental illnesses mean the person is particularly dangerous has really damaged the overarching view of these mental illnesses. Quite often, people living with certain chronic mental illnesses like Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.), schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are feared because of the misconstrued ideas of the symptoms and effects of their illness.
What are really debilitating effects of the illness are often looked on by wider society as a threat. Truth be told, people living with these illnesses are less likely to be perpetrators of violent acts and more likely to be victims. An example; Dissociative Identity Disorder manifests in children at a very young age as a way for the mind to protect itself from extremely brutal acts of violence against them. What is portrayed as threatening is really an elaborate way for the mind to protect the victim from the memories of terrible trauma and cope with the real world.
Myth 3: Mentally ill people are innately violent.
Another similar belief to the previous point is the notion that mentally ill = violent. This could not be farther from the truth, as many mental illnesses are triggered by deeply traumatizing acts of violence against the people living with them. In other cases, acts of violence are meted out to people as a result of the illness they may be genetically predisposed to. While there may be cases where a mentally unstable person committed an act of violence, those instances are actually few and apart and does not represent the entire community. Of course, through the power of mainstream and social media, these acts of violence are magnified and sensationalized.
Myth 4: Mental illness is contagious.
Long story short: No. It is not. Yes, mental illnesses can be a genetic predisposition but it is not something that is contagious. The idea that by being friendly with or even physically close to a person living with mental illness puts you at risk of ‘catching’ what they carry is absurd at best and dangerous at worst. This belief contributes to isolation often felt by individuals living with mental illness because they are often shunned, ignored and mistreated by society.
Myth 5: Christians should not have mental health issues
The presence of a mental illness does not mean there is absence of faith.
For decades, the belief that Christians should not experience any mental illness because it demonstrates a lack of faith, intense demonic activity in the person’s life or the presence of unconfessed sins caused members of the Body who are struggling to remain silent. Quite often, rather than suggesting seeing a professional to get adequate help and support, persons are told to pray more, fast more or read the Bible more to rid themselves of the issue.
I am not here to dispute the power of the Holy Spirit or God’s ability to heal the mind. That is a given. However, just as how God has used doctors to treat illnesses, he can use counsellors, therapists, psychiatrists and other mental healthcare workers to help the healing process of those struggling.
Being a Christian does not disqualify you from experiencing the effects of the fall of man, including mental illness. Being Christian does, however, give you a hope of healing and freedom in a very different way. If you are a Christian who is struggling and are ashamed to admit that or seek help, let me help you; you have nothing to be ashamed of and help is readily available for you.
Do you know any other myths about mental illness? Let me know in the comment section below!
Paula-Kaye Murphy is a young woman who understands what it means to struggle with one’s mental health with no help. As a result of this, she has dedicated herself to encouraging and educating persons on mental health as well as advocating for those struggling with mental illness. Her work can be found at thestilledsoul.wordpress.com where she focuses on topics of Mental Health and Faith.