10 Common Mental Health Myths Broken Down in Simple Terms

MNI Media continues to highlight key information on the issue of mental health. Today we feature Prakash Masand M.D., a psychiatrist and founder of the Centers of Psychiatric Excellence (https://www.copepsychiatry.com/). He breaks down for our readers 10 common mental health myths:

Myth: Bipolar disorder is just another name for mood swings.  
Fact: Bipolar disorder is a serious illness with severe mood swings that interfere with one’s functioning and can lead to suicide.

Myth: Once you feel better you can stop taking your psychiatric medication.
Fact: Almost all patients with psychiatric illness need maintenance treatment for a period of time and sometimes lifelong to prevent relapses and recurrences just like diabetes and heart disease patients.

Myth: Psychiatric illness is a result of bad relationships.
Fact: All psychiatric illnesses have a genetic component and an environmental component, bad relationships being one of several factors. 

Myth: Suicide is not a problem in the U.S.
Fact: Suicide is a major preventable public health problem. There are approximately 123 suicides in the U.S. every day.

Myth: Treatment for psychiatric illness is a cop-out by weak people.
Fact: Treatment is necessary for psychiatric illness like it is for any other medical condition.

Myth: Psychiatric illnesses are due to weak character or inadequate coping skills.
Fact: Psychiatric illness are medical illnesses with biological and psychological origins like all other illnesses.

Myth: All patients with Schizophrenia are dangerous.
Fact: Only a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia can be violet usually when untreated. 

Myth: Talk therapy is just whining about your problems.
Fact: Several types of talk therapy like cognitive behavior therapy are as effective as medications in treating mild depression and anxiety disorders.

Myth: ADHD is a new way to explain bad behavior.
Fact: ADHD often persists into adulthood in 40% of cases and is a real problem for many children.

Myth: Depression is just sadness that will go away.
Fact: Depression is a serious medical illness with morbidity and mortality.