#shawleveryday2019 Day 82

Today I want to dispel a few myths about mental illness.

Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.

Fact: People with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Only about 3-5% of violent acts in the US are attributed to people with mental illness. In fact, people with mental illness are 10 times more likely to be the victim of a violent act than anyone else.

Myth: Bad parenting/personal weakness/character flaws causes mental illness..

Fact: No one factor can cause mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment, and life experiences. Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.

Myth: People are “faking it” or doing it for attention.

Fact: No one would choose to have a mental illness, just like they wouldn't choose to have a physical illness. It can sometimes be hard to explain to others what it's like to have a mental illness, but that doesn't make it any less real or distressing.

Myth: Taking medication for your mental health issues will change your personality.

Fact: Medications for mental health are designed to help you peel back the negative concerns and get you back to your regular personality and who you really are.

Myth: Mental illness is the same for everyone.

Fact: Everyone experiences the world differently and the same goes for mental illness. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms and not everyone will need the same treatment.

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