From TikTok to Instagram and Twitter, there are tons of platforms where people can talk about the mental health conditions they are suffering from. And, if you are a keen TikTok scroller, you must have come across posts dedicated to #mentalhealth alone. But, with so much information out there, we’re afraid a lot of it can be mental health myths sometimes.
Mental health is not the same for everyone. Everyone deals or struggles with it in their own way. In fact, many psychologists have stated that we might have the same personality traits as one another but will feel, act, and think differently. It’s the individuality that is paramount when it comes to mental health struggles.
So, if you see a post talking about someone else’s struggle, it is likely you might take different experiences but can still relate to them. Plus, no denying that social media is full of self-proclaimed “wellness experts” who might tell you how to feel or deal with issues. In this context, it is vital to highlight some very common mental health myths that can be quite dangerous to believe in.
Mental Health Struggles Is Not Common
This is not exactly true. In fact, mental health conditions, especially after the 2019 pandemic of COVID-19 have accelerated. According to a pandemic study, depression feelings and symptoms were reported at a 40% increase in teenagers, with every 1 out of 3 students suffering from a mental health condition.
Mental health conditions are real and extremely widespread, regardless of your genetics, location, gender, or age. But, so are Mental Health Myths.
Depression Is Always Visible
If you are wondering what depression looks like, chances are you’re gonna believe in someone who looks physically sad. However, it can also be quite the opposite. Many psychologists have noted that there are many cases where people paste a smile on their faces, pretending they are happy when in reality, they are severely depressed.
Many experts have also stated that a lot of their patients go through a feeling where they have to act like everything is okay when in reality, they feel extremely exhausted from all the pretending.
Mental Health Illness Can Be Contagious
To be precise, you can not catch clinical depression from your fellow friends or classmates. It’s important to understand that people can not catch depression like the common cold. In truth, we are energetic beings, and surrounding ourselves with a certain kind of energy can affect our psyche.
In short, if you are hanging out with someone who is dealing with depressive thoughts, you might feel a bit concerned, gloomy, or wanting to walk away. But, that does not mean you got their depression. It means that you care about them.
Depression Can Be Snapped Out Of It
This is perhaps the lamest of all mental health myths. People need to understand that clinical depression is real, and it is an imbalance of mind chemicals or hormones that make you feel persistently sad or low. So, no! People with depression or anxiety can not just snap out of it if they “try hard enough.”
Many experts have stated that people struggling with mental disorders have no control over how they might feel sometimes. So, being with a friend, watching a movie, or spending time outdoors helps ease the symptoms, but it won’t change or solve the underlying condition.
That said, people suffering from mental health conditions need medical assistance and should never be told otherwise.
Therapy Will Work Instantly
Therapy is no magic. It will help you deal with certain situations or triggers, but it won’t cure your condition in just one session.
In fact, when it comes to some mental health conditions like eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar, or borderline personality, therapy and medication go hand in hand. Plus, in such cases, therapy is more of a lifestyle tool that can work overtime, but never instantly.
In short, therapy can be a safe space or a let-out, but things take time and progress can never be positive all the time.