💫I want to start with some common misconceptions that lead some of us down a path of either fear and/or shame for getting the help we need…
💫Let’s look at the first misconception:
Myth: Having a mental illness means you are “crazy.”
Fact: The fact of this misconception is…you may have an illness with challenging symptoms — the same as someone with an illness like diabetes. Getting the help you need may lead to being given tools needed to reduce mental stress, assistance with understanding your thoughts and so much more can come from attending therapy sessions.
💫The next one we see is …
Myth: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is only a military man’s disease.
Fact: the fact here is… When we talk about childhood struggles, losing a loved one, financial stressors that impact your basic needs, or even survivors of natural disasters; we see PTSD and it is not just a military man’s disease. Anyone can have PTSD. A rape or sexual assault victim, domestic abuse victim, or even a person who did not face any violence or physical threats themselves directly, but happened to witness someone else who did (i.e. vicarious trauma). The symptoms include having flashbacks of that event or events, nightmares/night terrors, anxiety/panic attacks, reacting in a way as if the event is re-occurring, etc. PTSD is a disorder that needs direct psychiatry attention to ensure you are able to function in your everyday life.
💫While there are many more I want to highlight this next one…
Myth: Seeking help for mental illness will lead to being ostracized and make symptoms worse.
Fact: It’s hard to tell anyone about having a mental illness, especially because they’re so commonly misunderstood and people who are unfamiliar with mental illness tend to think that people are the way they are because of nature, personality or attitude. The fact here is that’s not the case …you have the strength, courage, and bravery to open up to someone your putting your mental health first