12 Important Mental Health Facts Everyone Needs to Know Inbox x
Of
all the medical conditions, mental health has the worst rep. It is
often misunderstood or dismissed as fake or unscientific, and patients
are thought of as faking or exaggerating their condition. While it’s
definitely true that mental health is among the least understood fields
of medicine, it’s also impossible to ignore mental illness, as anyone
who has ever experienced or witnessed depression, anxiety, or any other
mental condition will know.
The
bottom line is, the fact that you can’t observe something under the
microscope doesn’t mean that it’s less real or serious, and we are firm
believers that everyone will gain a lot from knowing more about mental health, especially since it’s so common. Here are 12 facts about mental illness that everyone should know.
1. Mental health disorders are more common than you would think
We
often think that mental health is something that affects others and
couldn't possibly be something we or our loved ones will face one day.
And while that thought sure sounds comforting, in reality, mental
illness is more common than you think.
For
one, the most common disorder is anxiety and panic disorder, with an
estimated 18% of the population in the US alone suffering from the
illness according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Of these, only 36% seek treatment, despite the fact that it's among the most treatable mental health issues.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to MentalHealth.gov,
1 in 5 American adults had a serious mental health issue at some point
in their lives, and 1 in 25 live with a major mental illness (e.g.
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression). Finally, suicide is
the 10th leading cause of death in the US, taking twice as many lives as
homicide each year.
2. It’s possible to prevent mental illness
It's
certainly true that there is a genetic and hereditary component to
mental health problems, but these are only one of the contributing
factors that make a person susceptible to specific mental illnesses. The
remaining factors affecting mental health, such as trauma, a safe and
supportive environment, a healthy diet,
abstinence from alcohol and recreational drugs, and an active
lifestyle are all environmental, and can be as important as the
hereditary predisposition.
That's
why it's of key importance to raise children and adolescents in a safe
and positive environment and prioritize a healthy lifestyle, especially
if you know that a child is at risk of developing mental illness.
3. Weakness or strength of character has nothing to do with mental health
One
common misconception about mental illness is that it stems from a lack
of character and self-discipline, and if people suffering from a mental
condition would try harder, they could be back to normal. This
misconception stems from the belief that mental conditions originate
from emotions, so, for example, a person who suffers from depression is just sad or lazy, or someone who is in mania is just hot-headed or angry.
Unfortunately,
things are not so simple, as no amount of self-discipline can undo the
trauma or regulate the neurochemical disturbances in a person's brain,
both of which are major physical contributing factors of mental illness.
For this reason alone, don't demand from a person with a mental issue
or from yourself to just snap out of it, seek professional help instead.
4. It’s possible to fully recover from mental illness
Another
persistent misconception about mental illness is that
it's irreversible, meaning that a person suffering from mental health
issues will never recover. This, too, isn't true, and many patients
recover completely or get much better if they get treatment and the
social support they require.
The
likelihood of full recovery will depend on the type of condition, the
stage of development of said condition, as well as the treatment and
support the patient receives. That's why it's always good to turn to
mental health professionals and seek treatment as soon as possible.
5. People suffering from mental illness can hold full-time jobs just like everyone else
Like we've mentioned previously, the number of people suffering from mental health issues is massive. In fact, nearly everyone will suffer from some kind of mental illness at some point in their lives, and as many as 1 in 10 young people have had major depression. Needless to say, most of these people have lives, families, and jobs.
Many psychiatric patients are productive and manage to hold full-time jobs without frequent absenteeism and other negative side effects of their condition, given that they manage their condition. In addition, having a steady income and maintaining social activity has been found to be highly beneficial to persons suffering from mental health issues.
6. Children, as all other ages, can and do experience mental health issues
Many
mental illnesses manifest themselves in the form of early signs and
symptoms during childhood or youth, and there are a few disorders, such
as autism, that begin in early childhood. It has been estimated that 50%
of all mental illnesses exhibit the first symptoms before the age of
14, and 75% of them begin before the age of 24.
It
is unfortunate that most of these early symptoms don't get the
attention they require, and it is not until the illness reaches its
developed stages that the patient seeks treatment. On the bright side,
the statistics of the early diagnosis are improving, and an increasing
number of patients have a better prognosis and have a chance for a
better life as a result.
7. Stigma is one of the biggest issues for people with mental health problems
Social
acceptance is incredibly important for anyone, really, so it's not
surprising that people suffering from mental health issues are often
ashamed to discuss their condition with other people. Patients are
afraid to be diagnosed because this may cost them their job, their
family and their social circle.
But
the adverse effects of stigma related to the mental health field, in
general, are a lot more far-reaching, as many patients refuse or deter
the necessary treatment due to the fear of being labeled 'crazy' or
'psycho', which decreases their chance of full recovery. Acceptance and
understanding from the patient's social connections are key in helping
their recovery and long term well-being, as well as preventing suicide.
8. Genetics alone cannot trigger mental illness
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of mental conditions are not genetic, all of them are acquired, though some have a stronger genetic component than others. Even autism, the first symptoms of which are often exhibited as early as 8 months, occurs as a result of both genetic predisposition and abnormalities during pregnancy and childbirth, which makes autism an inborn, but not a genetic condition.
The genetic component for other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, etc., is even smaller than that, and as a result, these conditions are preventable, much like many acquired physical conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis or type 2 diabetes.
9. Exercise has a surprisingly beneficial effect on mental health
Many
people underestimate the beneficial effect of good lifestyle changes on
mental health. The reality is, however, that maintaining a physically
and socially active life, having a healthy diet and even spending time
in nature can help your symptoms.
For one, exercise
has been found to improve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and
ADHD, likely because it is known to relieve stress, boosts your mood and
improves sleep. Needless to say, all of the activities and habits we
mentioned are also good preventative methods.
10. There is no link between creativity and mental illness
If
we were to ask you to name at least a few famous creatives suffering
from mental illness, we're more than sure that you'd be able to come up
with several examples off the top of your head: van Gogh, Hemingway,
Sinatra, the list goes on... This prompts the question, "Is there a link
between mental illness and creativity?"
Luckily, we have a ready answer, and it's a definitive 'No', and there is nearly a century's worth of scientific studies
to back up this claim. People suffering from mental illness are not
more creative than those who don't, and conversely, artistic minds are
not more likely to suffer from a mental condition than non-creatives.
Lastly, if you, as a creative, will take medications to address a mental
issue, it will not directly affect your level of creativity.
11. Mental illness and intellectual disability or brain damage are not the same
This
is another popular misconception, and we recognize where it comes from,
as it often happens that people with brain damage or cognitive deficits
have mental health issues, and it's also the case that mental illness
in its advanced stages can cause brain damage.
What
further complicates this question is that many brain disorders can be
accompanied by psychotic episodes or mood disorders. For example,
advanced Parkinson's disease often causes hallucinations, delusions and
psychosis. Still, this doesn't mean that neurological and psychiatric
illnesses are the same, it merely showcases that structural and
functional changes in the brain influence our mental health.
12. Sleep deprivation affects mental health
We
live in a society that often values productivity and hard work more
than health. The truth is that by depriving yourself of sleep or
sleeping too much, you can set yourself up for danger.
In fact, research from Harvard University has
shown that 65–90% of adults with major depression also suffer
from sleep problems. This is because REM sleep promotes learning, memory
and emotional well-being, and the lack thereof, as the authors suggest,
can worsen or even potentially trigger psychiatric illness. So, fluff up your pillows and have a good night's sleep.