7 Common myths about mental illnesses that India needs to reject



In spite of an escalating number of mental health patients, the subject
 of mental health illness, is still by and large a taboo topic for several
 Indians. “World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that globally
 over 450 million people suffer from mental disorders,“ says Dr (Captain)
 Kushilab Bose, chief of medical operations at a network of healthcare 
clinics. “Currently mental and behavioural disorders account for about 
12% of the global burden of diseases, and this is likely to increase to 15% 
by 2020.

“Mental illnesses are amongst the most common ailments, and yet 
 are the least understood,“ says Dr Jawahar Shah, co-founder of a 
virtual clinic that features over 100 doctors supplying online help. “This
 gives way to many misconceptions, resulting in misgivings or insensitive 
attitudes.“

A study reported in WHO states that at least 6.5% of the Indian population
suffers from some form of serious mental disorder, with no discernible
rural urban differences. Here are some common myths in India that warrant 
dispelling, and should instead give way to more support, and understanding...

Myth 1: Psychiatric disorders are personal weaknesses or a personality
 flaw: Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals responsible for various functions
 such as mood, sleep and concentration. An imbalance in these chemicals
(serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and others) causes psychiatric
 disorders. The imbalance leads to serious illnesses, with underlying
 physical and psychological effects, and cannot simply be overcome by will
power, says mental health and behavioural sciences expert, Dr Samir Parikh.
Unfortunately , because these mental illnesses don't always have 
visible physical manifestations, a sudden change in a person's behaviour is
dismissed as a flaw in their personality. “There are 113 laws in India that
take away the rights of persons living with mental illness,“ says 
senior consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr Achal Bhagat.
 It's important to understand that a person is not faking these symptoms. 
On the contrary , he she is acting facing a lot of distress.

Myth 2: Mental health disorders affect very few people: “Any body and every
body can be affected. Economic status, social background and education have
nothing to do with it,“ says psychiatrist Dr Sanju Gambhi. Studies estimate 
that 20 million Indians (approximately two per cent of the population) need
professional help for serious mental disorders. An additional 50 million suffer 
from not-so-serious mental illnesses, adds Dr Shah. People have a hard 
time accepting that they could be suffering from a mental disorder, primarily
because they feel it is a weakness, which will be looked down upon by society
at large.

Myth 3: Once a psychiatric patient, always a psychiatric patient: “Almost 
every patient starts his her session with the same question -if I start these
medicines, will I be able to come out of it?“ says Dr Jay Shastri of the Indian
Association of Biological Psychiatry . Medicines are not addictive, they are to
combat the imbalance of neurotransmitters in your brain, and don't always
need to be prescribed. Mental disorders, just like any other illness are
completely treatable. “With early identification, and adequate and timely 
intervention, an individual with a mental illness can be treated and helped
to lead a happier and healthier life,“ says Dr Parikh.

Myth 4: Children don't suffer from psychiatric illnesses: On the contrary , says
Dr Gambhi, mental disorders can set in at a very early age. At least 20% of
Indian children suffer from some form of mental illness, among which about
five per cent are serious illnesses, says Dr Shah adding that most parents 
refuse to accept that their child may be mentally ill out of fear of embarrassment
or social stigma. What's more, mental health problems can't be `outgrown' as
most people seem to think, adds Dr Parikh.

It's important to pay attention to children as they themselves can't explain their
frustrations. "Instead, they'll exhibit it by associating it with a physical pain like
an inexplicable headache or a stomach ache,“ says Dr Shashtri.

Myth 5: Mental health disorders are a result of bad parenting : Parenting has
nothing to do with mental disorders. Children hailing from `happy' families can
suffer from psychological complications too. Mental disorders are caused due
to multiple interactions of biological, psychological and genetic factors,“ says Dr
Parikh. However, a support system plays an essential role in recovery. A 
strong family structure will ensure the right support and care for a child's 
treatment and future development, adds Dr Shastri.

Myth 6: Mental illnesses are contagious : “Psychiatric disorders are medical
conditions, which are a result of an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the
brain. They are can be genetically passed on, but are in no way contagious. 
Indians have to understand that mental health issues are never evidence of
bad morals. Some patients we see even suspect black magic behind illnesses
,“ says psychologist Dr Harsheen Arora, who specialises in counselling and the
rapy .

Myth 7: Attempting suicide is a sign of cowardice: According to a WHO
 report, most suicides in the world occur in the South Asia region with India 
accounting for the highest estimated number of suicides overall in 2012.
The average suicide rate in India is 10.9 for every lakh people and the majority
of people who commit suicide are below 44 years of age. “It is a myth that
suicide is usually an impulsive decision or that it hap pens on the spur of the
moment,“ says Dr Parikh. “There are many clear warning signals that people 
contemplating suicide give, that indicate their feelings of helplessness. It 
should not be considered a taboo topic,“ he adds.

Giving a person the environment to be able to discuss his her feelings can 
actually provide a release for pent-up negative emotions, and go a long way
in preventing suicide attempts.