10 Most Misunderstood Mental Health Disorders

One in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder ever year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health disorders are a serious public health concern and are widely misunderstood by society. Even though doctors and researchers have made huge strides in their understanding and treatment of mental health disorders, there is still much more to be learned and shared about these complex conditions. Here are the 10 most misunderstood mental health disorders:

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD): Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition that causes inattentiveness, impulsivity and over-activity, or a combination of all three. ADHD is often misunderstood and there are various misconceptions about the cause of treatment of this behavioral disorder. ADHD is not a made up medical condition, and those who are diagnosed with it aren't lazy or dumb. This condition is real and is not an indication of someone's intelligence or unwillingness to focus. Doctors and researchers are still learning about this widely misunderstood disorder and trying to find the underlying causes and best treatments for it.
2. Eating Disorders: An eating disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by abnormal eating behaviors, such as reduced food intake, extreme overeating and obsessive concern with diet, body weight and shape. Eating disorders are not only widely misunderstood by the public, but researchers don't know the underlying causes of eating disorders either. Many people believe that eating disorders only occur in females, but it's quite the contrary. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of males in the U.S. have an eating disorder. Another common misconception about eating disorders is that people do it to get attention. This is completely untrue, and for many sufferers it is a way to handle depression, stress or trauma and has little to do with beauty.
3. Tourette Syndrome: Tourette syndrome is a mental disorder that causes repetitive, involuntary movements and vocal tics. This condition is almost always seen in childhood first and it ranges in severity. Tourette's can be a chronic, lifelong condition, but most sufferers experience their worst symptoms during adolescence and it improves with age. Tourette syndrome is widely misunderstood by the public. Contrary to popular belief, Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder, not a psychiatric problem or a symptom of mental retardation. Another common misconception is that all people with Tourette's swear, but actually less that one-third of people struggle with this symptom.
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repetitive thoughts, ideas and feelings. These reoccurring thoughts and behaviors cause people to act on their compulsions and perform obsessive rituals in order to relieve their anxiety. OCD is widely misunderstood by society and has many negative stigmas. A common misconception about OCD is that it is caused by a poor upbringing, but this is not so. People with OCD have different chemical makeups than those without the condition, and it can be hereditary. Another misconception is that people with OCD are flawed, crazy and weak-minded individuals. People with OCD aren't insane and don't choose to have this condition. They badly want to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and rituals, so they can return to normalcy.
5. Autism: Autism is a developmental disorder that affects one's social and communication skills. This mental health condition typically appears in the first three years of life and is characterized by a number of symptoms, such as trouble communicating with words, develops language slowly or not at all, repeat body movements, distressed by changes in routines and many other behaviors. Many of the misunderstandings about this mental condition are associated with the causes of autism, which are open to much debate. One major misconception is that autism is definitely caused by vaccines. There may be various factors that cause autism, such as genetics, diet, mercury poisoning and even vaccines, but researchers have yet to determine any exact causes for these chemical and biological abnormalities.
6. Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings that range from depression to euphoria. These mood shifts can come and go multiple times a day or happen only a few times a year, and some people experience both depression and mania symptoms at the same time. Bipolar disorder is widely misunderstood by society as being a made up condition and an excuse people use to act irrationally and shift their moods whenever they feel like it. This couldn't be more false because it is a real, proven medical disorder that is caused by chemical and biological differences in the brain. People with bipolar disorder don't choose to be in a depressed or maniac state of mind, but they can reduce extreme mood swings with proper medical treatment.
7. Depression: Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loss and anger that occur for a long period of time. Although doctors do not know the exact cause of depression, there are several possible factors, such as biological and chemical differences, hormonal imbalances, genetics, trauma and life events. Although it's a relatively common disorder, there are still many misunderstandings about those who have it and how to treat it. Contrary to popular belief, depression isn't just a case of the blues or a mental weakness; it's a serious, chronic mental health illness that doesn't just go away on its own. Those suffering from depression should seek professional care so they can properly and safely treat their condition.
8. Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's is a form of dementia, a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking and behavior and worsens over time. People suffering from this mental health condition typically have impaired memories and problems with language and judgment. Alzheimer's is widely misunderstood by the public and is often disregarded as normal memory loss. This belief can be troublesome for those suffering from Alzheimer's because they may be less likely to seek diagnosis and receive professional help.
9. Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions and an inability to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences. Those with schizophrenia have disordered thoughts and behaviors, and struggle with social situations. Schizophrenia is a widely misunderstood disorder with several negative stigmas. Many people misinterpret schizophrenia as split personality or multiple personality, but it's an imbalance in emotions and thinking. Another misconception is that all schizophrenics are violent, but they are actually no more violent that the average person and are usually passive people who fear others.
10. Borderline Personality Disorder: Borderline personality disorder is an emotional disorder characterized by distorted self image and emotional instability. Those suffering from BPD often have feelings of worthlessness and think they're fundamentally flawed. They may act impulsively and engage in risky behavior. This chronic mental condition is widely misunderstood by society and has many negative stigmas. One common misconception about borderline personality disorder is that it's not treatable, but dialectical behavior therapy has proven to be a successful treatment for BPD. People with BPD are not using it as an excuse to act out or be selfish; it's a serious condition that cannot be ignored because symptoms may worsen and the risk of suicide increases.

(radiologytechnicianschools.net)

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