Myths, Misunderstanding and Facts
Myths, misunderstanding, negative attitudes and stereotypes surround the issue of mental illness. They result in stigma, isolation and discrimination.
Common questions concerning mental illness are:
Is mental illness incurable and lifelong?
No. When treated appropriately and early, it is possible for many people to recover fully from most mental illnesses. For other people, mental illness is like many physical illnesses which require on-going treatment, but which can be managed so that the individual can participate in every day life.
Mental illness is often transient and can come and go in people's lives. Some people have only one episode and will recover completely. For others, it recurs throughout their lives and requires ongoing treatment. Mental health problems are not an insurmountable barrier. While a number of people do become disabled as a result of a chronic mental illness, many people who experience even major mental illness manage to live full and productive lives.They are able to work and participate in family and social life, while continuing to receive treatment and medication for their illness.
Are people born with mental illness?
The causes of mental illness are unclear. A pre-disposition to some mental illness, such as schizophrenia, can run in families. Many other factors can contribute to the onset of mental illness in people with a predisposition such as stress, bereavement, relationship breakdown, child abuse, unemployment, social isolation and times of accidents life-threatening illness.
Can anyone develop a mental illness?
Yes. In fact mental illness is very common. It is estimated that as many as one in five Australians may develop a mental illness at some stage in their lives. We are all vulnerable to mental health problems.
Many people feel more comfortable with the notion of having "a break down" than having mental illness. This reluctance to talk openly about mental illness can be a barrier to seeking early treatment.
Are people with a mental illness dangerous?
No.This is a false perception and underlies some of the most damaging stereotypes. People with a mental illness are seldom dangerous. Even people with the most severe mental illness are rarely dangerous. People who do not have any mental illness carry out the great majority acts of violence
Do people with a mental illness need to be isolated from the community?
No. Most people with a mental illness recover quickly, and the majority do not need hospital care, or have only brief admissions.
Treatment discoveries of recent decades have removed the need for isolation and confinement as was common in the past. There are small numbers of people with a mental illness, less than 0.01 per cent of the population, who are at risk and need hospital care, sometimes against their will. It is important to recognise that this is not true for the vast majority of those who might have an episode of illness.