Although an estimated 23 percent of Americans will experience a mental disorder in any given year, almost half do not seek treatment. Stigma still discourages people from getting help, despite advances in education and research. By learning the truth about mental illness and encouraging others to do the same, you can help lessen the stigma.

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What is stigma?

“Stigma” describes the shame, fear and discrimination that result from stereotypes surrounding mental illness. It can affect people with a mental illness psychologically and even economically, when it comes to finding housing and employment. Stigma can cause family tension and rejection. It also leads to fear, mistrust and violence against people with mental illness.

Despite the fact that many mental illnesses are real illnesses that are diagnosable and treatable and that mental illnesses are not uncommon, people still suffer from stigma. Stigma is really about disrespect and dehumanization. It is giving someone with a mental illness a label and treating them differently based on that label. The stigmas that surround mental illness are based on misinformation, fears and myths that are widely held and reinforced.

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Myths about mental illness

Media stereotypes often portray people with mental illness as failures or villains, and terms such as “schizophrenia” and “psychotic” are frequently misused. We all see outrageous marketing campaigns, movie trailers and commercials, and even children’s toys that paint an unfair picture of people with mental illness, or use mental illnesses as a source of ridicule or humor. People who know someone with a mental illness, or who have one themselves, are offended or saddened by these portrayals, but the real damage is done when people who have no experience with mental health accept these stereotypes and pass them on.

You’ve probably heard some of these common myths about mental illness:

Myth: People with mental illness fake symptoms. They’re really just being irresponsible, lazy or weak.
Fact: Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia have nothing to do with being irresponsible, lazy or weak. They result from changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and medication and/or psychotherapy often help people to recover

Myth: Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just “crazy”.
Fact: Brain disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders and they can be treated effectively.

Myth: Severe mental illness can’t be treated.
Fact: The efficacy of treatment for severe mental illness can be compared to that in other branches of medicine-including surgery, reports research psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey in his book Out of the Shadows: Confronting America’s Mental Illness Crisis.

Myth: People with mental illness are violent.
Fact: The overall contribution of mental disorders to the level of violence is very small, Nostheide says. “Research has shown that the vast majority of people who are violent do not suffer from mental illness,” she explains. “In cases where violence does occur, the incident typically results from the same reasons as with the general public, such as feeling threatened or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.”
Fact: People with a behavioral health diagnosis are rarely dangerous to others. However, they are more likely to be dangerous to themselves.

Myth: Children and teens don’t experience mental illness.
Fact: One in five children and adolescents has a diagnosable mental illness, and for one in 10, the illness is severe enough to cause impairment. Early identification can significantly improve quality of life.

Myth: People with mental illness are poor and/or less intelligent.
Fact: Many studies show that most mentally ill people have average or above-average intelligence. Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class or income level.

Myth: A small minority of people need mental health services
Fact: Almost half of all Americans (48%) between the ages of 15 and 84 have a lifetime history of at least one mental or addictive disorder during their lifetime.

Myth: Psychiatric hospitals are institutions where people can be committed for life.
Fact: Today, the average stay at most psychiatric hospitals is less than one week.

Myth: If I have a mental health problem I should be able to take care of it myself.
Fact: Some mental health problems, such as mild depression or anxiety, can be relieved with support, self-help, and proper care. However, if problems or symptoms persist, a person should consult with their primary doctor or a qualified mental health professional.

Myth: If I have a mental illness, it is a sign of weakness- it’s my fault.
Fact: Mental illness is not anyone’s fault, anymore than heart disease or diabetes is a person’s fault. According to the Surgeon General’s report: “Mental disorders are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof), associated with distress and/ or impaired functioning.” Mental Illnesses are not a condition that people choose to have or not have. Mental illnesses are not results of willful, petulant behavior. No one should have to feel ashamed of this condition any more than any other medical condition.

Myth: Mental illness stems from childhood trauma or is the result of bad parenting.
Fact: Mental illness can be the result of many factors. However, major mental illness is a biological brain disorder. Many scientists believe that mental illness is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, not enough of a certain chemical being produced, just as diabetes inhibits the production of insulin.

Myth: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.
Fact: The two are distinct disorders. A mental retardation diagnosis is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses-health conditions that cause changes in a person’s thinking, mood, and behavior-have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

Myth: If I seek help for my mental health problem, others will think I am “crazy.”
Fact: No one should delay getting treatment for a mental health problem that is not getting better, just as one would not wait to take care of a medical condition that needed treatment. Some people worry that others will avoid them if they seek treatment for their mental illness. Early treatment can produce better results. Seeking appropriate help is a sign of strength not weakness.

Myth: People diagnosed with a mental illness are always ill and out of touch with reality.
Fact: Most people suffering from even the most severe of mental illnesses are in touch with reality more often than they are not. Many people quietly bear the symptoms of mental illness without ever showing signs of their illness to others, and most people with mental illness live productive, active lives.

Myth: Stress causes mental illness.
Fact: This is only partially true. Stress may occasionally trigger an episode or cause symptoms such as anxiety or depression, but persistent symptoms appear to be biological in nature. There are probably many things that can contribute to mental illness- the cause is not yet fully understood.

Myth: A person can recover from a mental illness by turning his or her thoughts positively and with prayer.
Fact: Recovery is possible when the person receives the necessary treatment and support. Spirituality can also be an important source of strength for some individuals.

Myth: Most people with mental illness live on the streets or are in mental hospitals.
Fact: Over two-thirds of Americans who have a mental illness live in the community and lead productive lives. Most people who need hospitalization are only there for brief periods to get treatment and are then able to return home, just like people hospitalized for other conditions. Some people with mental illness do become homeless and could benefit from treatment and services.

Myth: Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack of will power. People with a substance abuse problem are morally weak or bad.
Fact: Addiction is a disease that generally results from changes in brain chemistry. It has nothing to do with being a bad person.

Myth: We’re good people. Mental illness doesn’t happen to me and my family.
Fact: One in five Americans will suffer at some point from a mental health problem. These Americans are from all backgrounds.

Myth: Talk about suicide is an idle threat that need not be taken seriously.
Fact: 90% or more of all suicide victims have a mental illness and/or a substance abuse problem. For people ages 15-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

Myth: People with mental illness are unpredictable.
Fact: Some are impulsive and their actions unpredictable when they are actively ill. But once they have recovered, most of them are consistent in their behavior and are likely to present few surprises to those who know them.

Myth: You can’t talk to someone who has been mentally ill.
Fact: Most people who have recovered from mental illness are rational and intelligent, and it is certainly possible to talk with them. Even individuals who are actively mentally ill are likely to be rational in many ways. They may suffer from certain delusions or act disturbed at times, but in calmer moments they will probably be able to discuss many things reasonably and sensibly.