1. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout
Mental Health
By
Nimisha
Clinical Psychologist; Counsellor & Trainer
Soningra Polyclinic; Mazgaon,
Mumbai – 400 010
Contact: +91 9619303902
Nimisha.rastogi@gmail.com
• Understanding Mental Health
• Understanding Myths & Facts

2. "Mental illness is like
MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health any other physical illness
and is treatable. Early
intervention leads to
better outcomes and can
prevent people from
reaching the crisis point"
Understanding Mental Illnesses :
Any of various psychiatric conditions, usually characterized
by impairment of an individual's normal
cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused
by physiological or psychosocial factors. Also called mental
disease, mental disorder
The term “Psychiatric Disability” is used when mental illness
significantly interferes with the performance of major life
activities such as learning, working, communicating, among
others.

3. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Severe Mental Disorders
• Anxiety/ Phobias
• Eating Disorder • Schizophrenia
• Stress • Bipolar disorder
• Depression (Manic depression)
• Clinical depression
• Suicidal tendency
Common Mental Disorders
• Personality disorder

4. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Psychiatric disorders
are not true medical
illnesses like heart Fact:
disease and diabetes. Brain disorders, like heart disease and
People who have a diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses.
Research shows there are genetic and
mental illness are just
biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and
"crazy." they can be treated effectively.

5. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth #2:
People with a severe
mental illness, such as Fact:
schizophrenia, are Statistics show that the incidence of violence
usually dangerous and in people who have a brain disorder is not
violent. much higher than it is in the general
population. Those suffering from a psychosis
such as schizophrenia are more often
frightened, confused and despairing than
violent.

6. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth #3: Fact:
Mental illness is the Most experts agree that a genetic
result of bad parenting susceptibility, combined with other risk
or bad character. factors, leads to a psychiatric disorder. In
other words, mental illnesses have a physical
cause. A serious mental illness cannot be
willed away. Ignoring the problem does not
make it go away, either. It takes courage to
seek professional help.

7. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth #4:
Depression results
from a personality
weakness or character Fact:
flaw, and people who Depression has nothing to do with being lazy
are depressed could or weak. It results from changes in brain
chemistry or brain function, and medication
just snap out of it if
and/or psychotherapy often help people to
they tried hard enough. recover.

8. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1: Fact:
Myth #5: Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple
Schizophrenia means personality disorder. Actually, schizophrenia is
split personality, and a brain disorder that robs people of their
there is no way to ability to think clearly and logically. The
estimated 2.5 million Americans with
control it.
schizophrenia have symptoms ranging from
social withdrawal to hallucinations and
delusions. Medication has helped many of
these individuals to lead fulfilling, productive
lives.

9. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Fact:
Myth #6: It is not normal for older adults to be
Depression is a normal depressed. Signs of depression in older people
part of the aging include a loss of interest in activities, sleep
process. disturbances and lethargy. Depression in the
elderly is often undiagnosed, and it is
important for seniors and their family
members to recognize the problem and seek
professional help.

10. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Myth #7:
Depression and other Fact:
illnesses, such as Children and adolescents can develop severe
anxiety disorders, do mental illnesses. In the United States, one in
not affect children or ten children and adolescents has a mental
adolescents. Any disorder severe enough to cause impairment.
However, only about 20 percent of these
problems they have are
children receive needed treatment. Left
just a part of growing untreated, these problems can get worse.
up. Anyone talking about suicide should be taken
very seriously.

11. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Myth #8:
If you have a mental
illness, you can will it
away. Being treated for Fact:
a psychiatric disorder A serious mental illness cannot be willed
means an individual away. Ignoring the problem does not make it
has in some way go away, either. It takes courage to seek
"failed" or is weak. professional help.

12. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Myth #9:
Addiction is a lifestyle
choice and shows a lack
of willpower. People Fact:
with a substance abuse Addiction is a disease that generally results
problem are morally from changes in brain chemistry. It has
weak or "bad". nothing to do with being a "bad" person.

13. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Myth # 1:
Myth #10:
Fact:
Electroconvulsive ECT has given a new lease on life to many
therapy (ECT), formerly people who suffer from severe and
known as "shock debilitating depression. It is used when other
treatment," is painful treatments such as psychotherapy or
and barbaric. medication fail or cannot be used. Patients
who receive ECT are asleep and under
anaesthesia, so they do not feel anything.

14. MYTHS & FACTS ‘bout Mental Health
Fact:
You can do a lot, starting with how you act and speak.
You can create an environment that builds on people's
Myth # 1: strengths and promotes understanding. For example:
The Biggest Myth of ALL Don't label people with words like "crazy," "wacko," or
"loony" or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of
# ##: saying someone is "a schizophrenic," say he or she "has
I can't do anything schizophrenia." Don't say "a schizophrenic person," say
"a person with schizophrenia." This is called "people-
for a person with first" language, and it's important to make a distinction
between the person and the illness.
mental illness. Learn the facts about mental health and share them with
others, especially if you hear something that isn't true.
Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and
dignity, just as you would anybody else.
OFTEN PEOPLE :::
• ISOLATE PEOPLE
• DON’T INCLUDE THEM IN DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES
• STOP PEOPLE GETTING & KEEPING JOBS
• PREVENT PEOPLE SEEKING HELP
• HAVE A –TIVE IMPACT ON PHYSICAL HEALTH
• DELAY TREATMENT IMPAIR RECOVERY
.

15. PLEASE!!
“Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don't discriminate against
them when it comes to housing, employment, or education. Like other people with
disabilities, people with mental health problems are protected under federal and
state laws”
MIND – LIFE Consultants
Nimisha
Clinical Psychologist; Counsellor &
Leadership Trainer; Motivation Expert
Mumbai – 400 010
Contact: +91 9619303902
Nimisha.rastogi@gmail.com