Here’s another topic people shy away from talking about – mental illness. After spending 3 years studying Psychology perhaps I have a better reason than a lot of people for having more of an understanding of this topic. However, it annoys me that this is a topic that is still avoided. Its common for people to talk about physical ailments, aches and pains, colds, asthma, siatica, broken limbs, headaches, diabetes, but they are very unlikely to talk about their mental health freely. Usually if people do talk about mental illness it’s either in a specially designated group or with some embarassment, shame or hesitantly.
There are just as many mental health problems as there are physical problems. Common conditions include:
- Depression
- Phobias
- Personality Disorders
- Postnatal Depression
- Eating Problems
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Austism
- ADHD
Common Myths & Misconceptions
Here are some things I’ve heard from the media, as well as in general discussions with people I’ve worked with in the past.
“If a child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) they are just unruly, misbehaved children with bad parents”
“A person with Depression is just someone miserable or a bit sad”
“Someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) just likes everything neat, tidy and clean”
“Anyone suffering from a mental illness is dangerous”
“All ‘mental patients’ should be locked away in asylums”
“Mentally ill people can get better themselves if they want to, if they put their mind to it”
“You can tell if someone has a mental illness just by looking at them”
“Mental illness is just an excuse for not doing something”
It would be really interesting to hear other peoples’ thoughts on this – have you heard different misconceptions? Here is your chance to set the record straight.
My hope is that mental illness gets the same respect, treatment, understanding and funding as physical illness. The first step in getting this achieved is TALKING about it, getting the various conditions into general discussion. By doing this, it will help take away the stigma so regularly associated with mental disorder. So many people suffer in silence, not feeling they can tell anyone, even their close family or friends. Mental disorder can be treated and much can be so successful that people are able to live normal and fulfilled lives. They can only do this if they seek the help. Really, the first step in conquering the mental illness is to TALK about it. If you were suffering from asthma or diabetes, you wouldn’t hide it, you’d discuss it and get the right treatment.
Mental illness can be so isolating and lonely predominantly because people don’t TALK about it. They feel that they are the only ones in the world with those thoughts and troubles. That’s not the case. Thousands of people are also living with the same condition – in fact upto 1 in 4 people are suffering from a mental disorder at any one time. This means that within your own circle of friends or work colleagues, it’s very likely that someone there has a disorder – it could even be the same one.
If you are suffering in silence, please understand that you are not alone. There is help out there, speak to family or a close friend, or go directly to your GP. There are local support groups and online forums – but do be careful with the latter until you’ve at least accepted your problem and even started treatment (either therapy or medication). Some conditions leave people vulnerable to picking up other people’s problems, leaving you with more worry than you started with, so by all means TALKING in any forum is better than keeping it inside, just take care.
If you think you know someone who might be suffering in silence, don’t be afraid to TALK to them about it. Ask them if they need support, they might simply need someone to listen, or to take their issues and worries seriously.
If you want further details on any mental disorder or local services that can help then here are a few websites you could try:
Mind – a mental health charity working throughout England and Wales
Beat – a UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families
OCD-UK – the national charity working with and for people with OCD
National Austistic Society – champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide them and their families with help, support and services to make a positive difference to their lives.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be picking conditions and looking at them in more detail. Hopefully if people start TALKING about and understanding mental illness, it won’t take a degree in Psychology for them (and the Government) to take it seriously.
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