Breaking the Stigma: The Myths Surrounding Mental Health

Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered many people who strongly believe in the myths surrounding mental health. These misconceptions can be incredibly harmful, and as someone who has struggled with mental health, being treated differently because of those beliefs can feel degrading and painful.

Knowing that these myths exist is one thing; having people believe them and treat you according to those beliefs is something else entirely.

The Emotional Toll of Misunderstanding

Being treated as though you’re less than you are — simply because someone doesn’t understand mental health — is heart-wrenching. It can make you feel sad, hurt, judged, and unworthy. Unfortunately, it can even push someone to isolate themselves to avoid others discovering their struggles.

And here's the kicker: This ignorance is not just from uneducated people. I vividly remember one instance where a healthcare professional projected one of these myths onto me.

A Personal Story: A Healthcare Professional's Judgment

My father was hospitalized, and a specialist called me to discuss his condition. She was kind and compassionate at first, explaining that my father was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asking if I had any questions. I did, and we talked for a couple of minutes.

She then mentioned that I should visit the hospital to pick up a video that explained my father’s lung condition more thoroughly.

When I mentioned that I couldn’t go to the hospital because of my anxiety disorder, her response was a sharp shift in tone:“But you seem like such a smart woman. I couldn’t imagine someone like you having this type of disorder.”

Those words hurt deeply. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized that some people could believe

struggling with mental health meant you were uneducated or less intelligent.

The way she spoke to me changed immediately. Her tone shifted, and I could tell she was eager to wrap up the call. I felt like she no longer cared about my father’s health and just wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, I’ve had similar experiences with others. And it made me incredibly sad to realize how people could treat me that way. That’s when I started to become very selective about who I told about my own struggles.

I isolated myself more and more, believing that opening up to others was unsafe. I thought it was better to keep my battles private and not talk about them at all.

The Downside of Isolation

But over time, I realized that isolating myself only made things worse. It brought on feelings of depression, loneliness, unworthiness, and disconnection from the world. I had unknowingly started a dangerous cycle of self-isolation, which fed into the very struggles I was trying to avoid.

I had to learn the hard way that isolation is never the answer. It only deepens the problems it’s meant to avoid.

Debunking Common Myths About Mental Health

Now that I’ve had some time to reflect, I want to address three common myths about people who struggle with mental health issues. These myths only add to the stigma and perpetuate misunderstanding. Let’s set the record straight:

Myth #1: People with mental health problems are not intelligent.Answer: False. Many people with mental health conditions are incredibly intelligent. Think about Steve Young, who lives with social anxiety disorder, or Leonardo DiCaprio, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Lady Gaga battles PTSD, and Miley Cyrus has struggled with depression. These individuals, along with countless others, prove that mental health issues do not equate to a lack of intelligence. People with mental health problems come from all walks of life, and their struggles don’t define their capabilities.

Myth #2: People with mental health problems are violent.Answer: False. The vast majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent. In fact, they’re often the ones who are victims of violence or assault. Only a small percentage may exhibit violent behavior, and that’s not a defining trait. Most people with mental health issues are empathetic, kind, and compassionate. They understand the struggles of others and often go out of their way to help.

Myth #3: People with mental health problems are lazy.Answer: False. If anything, many people with mental health conditions are highly active and productive. Just look at the artists and entrepreneurs mentioned earlier. Struggling with mental health doesn’t mean you’re lazy; in fact, it often means you're battling just to maintain a sense of normalcy, while still pushing forward in your personal and professional lives.

A Final Thought

I hope this blog has helped you better understand the myths surrounding mental health. It’s important to remember that people who struggle with mental health issues are just like anyone else. They have dreams, ambitions, and abilities — and they deserve the same compassion, respect, and understanding as anyone else.

We can help break the stigma by educating ourselves and supporting those who need it most.