Help for mental health treatment is constantly evolving. Professional treatments and help for mental health illnesses are still relatively new in the grand spectrum of humankind. So, there are still discoveries that shape the way treatment is provided. As mental health treatment is ever-changing, it seems that the stigma surrounding mental health issues doesn’t. With the social stigma comes common misconceptions about mental illness that may keep people from getting the necessary help they need to get better. And, find sustainable solutions to managing symptoms of mental health illnesses so they can live a high-quality life.
Addressing misconceptions about mental illness is important so that people living with these conditions can get the information they need to make informed decisions. This way, they can have the correct knowledge about their options and means to treatment.
The rate of mental illness may be more overwhelming than many may assume. In fact, according to U.S. government statistics, in 2019, over 50 million Americans were living with a diagnosed mental health illness. That’s over 15% of all U.S. citizens living with a mental health issue.
Furthermore, due to the fact that media and other sources perpetuate the symptoms of mental health issues as extremely severe, while this may be the case for some, many may not even know that they’re living with a mental illness. This means that there could be millions of people living with mental health issues in our nation, making mental health illness much more prevalent than even our current statistics suggest.
This belief that anyone who is diagnosed with a mental health illness is “crazy” is perhaps one of the most harmful stigmas about mental health illnesses. This damaging stereotype perpetuates the belief that people living with mental health issues are incapable of recovery or managing symptoms. However, this isn’t the truth; treatment for mental illnesses is highly successful, especially today. And, the reality is that mental health issues range in severity of symptoms and behaviors. So, symptoms typically thought to be associated with insanity aren’t even common symptoms that mental health patients experience, unless they are diagnosed with specific, more uncommon disorders.
It’s a common misconception that individuals with mental health illnesses aren’t capable of contributing to society in beneficial ways. However, individuals with mental illnesses can and do live successful, functional, and normal lives when they are given the proper care. And, have the motivation to maintain successful treatments and implement management tools within their daily lives. The belief that these people can’t or won’t ever be functional members of society is dangerous as it assumes that people with mental health illnesses hold no value to the world and the people who live in it – which is just not true at all.
People fear mental illnesses and individuals living with these illnesses due to a number of common misconceptions. One of these misconceptions is that every person with a mental illness is violent or dangerous in some way. However, in truth, people diagnosed with mental health illnesses are actually even more likely to be the victims of violence. So, while some mental health issues may have characteristics that occasionally showcase as violent behaviors, this doesn’t mean that every person who has a mental illness may showcase these behaviors. Or, that treatment doesn’t work to address these symptoms of specific mental illnesses when they occur.
Many may think that getting professional treatment for mental illnesses isn’t effective. Unfortunately, this is one of the most damaging misconceptions one can believe about mental health. And, can lead to individuals not reaching out to get the help they need. Thus, never experiencing relief from mental health symptoms. Or, establish a lifestyle that incorporates treatment medications and skillsets needed to live a life of wellbeing.
Treatment is successful in helping people diagnosed with mental health issues manage symptoms. To learn more about outpatient mental health services from Delray Center for Healing, reach out for a confidential conversation today.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.