"4 Things People Believe About Mentally Ill People That Aren't True"
I believe that the stigma around mentally ill people needs to be changed. Years ago, cancer was something that nobody talked about. They felt shame for it, and people just didn't tell their acquaintances about their family member's cancer. The same thing is happening with mental illness. Let us realize, my brothers and sisters, that there is no shame or guilt about being mentally ill. It is not their fault. I believe that by talking about it openly we can stop the stigma around mental illness.
Here are 4 myths that people believe about mentally ill people that are not true:
1. They Cannot Change
They have learned to deal with life in different ways because of their trauma. Personality disorders are ways of coping with life that is attained through many years. Just as they learned despair, suicidal thoughts, anger, and depression, they can learn positive ways of life through therapy and other forms of help. It is important that if one has a mental illness they follow through it with therapy and professional help and support.
Science talks of neuroplasticity. This means that anyone CAN change their brains and undo the damage their circumstances have done to their brains.
2. They Are Born With It
This is one of the biggest myths about mental illnesses. The scary percentage of over 80 to 90% of people with mental illness have had some kind of childhood trauma. It is a NORMAL reaction to abnormal circumstances.
3. It Is Their Fault
The way they act can be hurtful and upsetting to people around them. However, it is not effective to punish them for their behaviours as a way of changing their behaviours. They hate themselves for their behaviours, believe me, and are usually desiring change and are willing to work for it.
4. They Are Crazy
Mentally ill people are all different. They aren't all the same. Discrimination of mentally ill people is possibly caused by those extreme portrayals from movies and media. You can be slightly mentally ill or extremely ill, just like when we talk about physical illness there are so many different levels.
