Misconception About Mental Disorders
For centuries, people have believed myths and misconceptions about psychological disorders and the people who suffer from them. Modern psychological research has allowed us to correct some of these misconceptions. As a result, many people have changed their ideas about mental and emotional disorders. However, there still are misconceptions that surround mental illness in today’s society. One of the most common misconceptions I have observed in society is the fact that people suffering from mental illness can not get better. This misconception fuels the stigma surrounding mental illness. Once a person discloses that they are suffering from a mental illness, they are forever labeled as crazy even when their illness is getting better.
Even though some mental illnesses are chronic, the right treatment can help people learn how to manage their symptoms better. Through such kind of treatment, they can gain more control over their disorder and lead normal lives (Felix & Lynn, 2021). In some cases, the treatment helps people overcome their disorder and recover completely. On the other hand, some mental illnesses are short-term and go away with time.
In 2001, the World Health Organization indicated that approximately 25% of the worldwide population suffer from mental or behavioral disorders at one point in their lives. This information shows that mental illness is not a lifetime burden but a treatable and common condition. Information from research helps make people more aware of the true nature of mental illnesses. Consequently, people reduce their stigma toward mentally ill people (Kumari, 2021). The reduction of stigma enables mentally ill people to integrate better into society. Understanding the nature of different mental illnesses will help people discover their own mental illnesses and live with them. The treatment of mental illness helps prevent other diseases that could come with it.
References
Felix, E., & Lynn, F. (2021). Mental health stigma and social contact revisited: The role of network closeness and negativity. Society and Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/21568693211043156
Kumari, M. (2021). Study to assess the knowledge on misconception regarding mental illness among general population. Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research, 09(09). https://doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v9i9.20
Leave a Reply