Mentally ill isn't 'crazy'

An estimated 20 to 26 percent of Americans currently live with some form of mental illness, from depression to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, significantly impacting their lives, as well as those of families and loved ones. Probabilities dictate that each of us is, loves, or has otherwise been close to someone who has a mental illness or condition. Living with a mental illness can be isolating and lonely, even frightening. Much of that is less because of the illness itself, and more because the rest of us don't - or don't want to - understand it.

That can be remedied. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

A big benefit of this technological age is accessibility - of communication, of information, and of unlimited learning, thanks to the Internet. Abundant information exists about each medical, psychiatric, and behavioral condition known to science, so they may be better understood, lived with, and supported.

We have no excuse for ignorance. We have only to seek its abolition.

Common myths about mental illness as compiled by Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association) include:

1. "Mentally ill means crazy." There are hundreds of identified mental illnesses and disorders, with very different impacts, ranging from relatively minor to more serious effects on daily life and function, so "mentally ill" is not simply defined. According to the National Institutes of Health, 6 percent of Americans have serious mental illness and only 1 percent are schizophrenic. About 10 percent of Americans suffer from mood disorders. Idaho ranks among the top 10 states for suicide rates. Many, if not most, Americans are mentally ill at one time or another (e.g., grieving/loss, post-partum depression, PTSD, anxiety); some conditions are more serious or long-lasting than others. Think of mental illness as the absence of full mental health, whether temporary or long term.

2. "You can't recover from mental illness." While mental illnesses are often persistent conditions, most can be treated, allowing for symptom improvement and stable, integrated, and productive lives.

3. "The mentally ill/disabled make inferior workers." Actually, it's more a matter of the right job - one which taps into individual strengths, perhaps with a simple accommodation. Mentally ill or not, the right job fit makes all of us better workers. Not only has research shown little to no support for this particular myth, some studies have shown that punctuality, motivation, and longevity/tenure are actually higher in this category of workers.

4. "Mentally ill workers can't handle job stress." Again, this is more individual than categorical, varying by condition, personality, and job fit. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true.

5. "The mentally ill are violent, dangerous, and unpredictable." TV aside, the vast majority of individuals with psychiatric disabilities are neither dangerous nor violent. A research review at Cornell University found such portrayals lacked supporting evidence.

This year the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month is "Mind your health." The brain, like every other part of the body, requires maintenance, care, and attention. Neglect it, and whether or not we realize the connection, we suffer with bad moods, negative outlook, poor decisions, and worsening of otherwise manageable individual conditions. All of these also impact relationships, which factor heavily into one's life experience.

Thus mental health is optimized by social support, a good diet, exercise, (healthy) stress relief, refraining from alcohol and "recreational" drugs, and rest. Sometimes we look for bigger explanations when in fact the little things can make a significant difference - a walk outside to relieve stress, a healthier snack as a pick-me-up (next time you eat junk food, note your mood the hours following), a little meditation or laughter to clear that foggy feeling. If it sounds too simple, consider that regardless of the problem or individual limits, healthy practices optimize the possibilities and unhealthy ones reduce them.

Want to learn more about a particular mental illness? Start with the National Institutes of Mental Health at Nimh.nih.gov. Those with diagnosed mental illness, as well as their loved ones, need not be without support. The National Association for the Mentally Ill (Nami.org) is a great place to start and can facilitate connections to other, local resources. For employment/training and accessibility resources, advocacy, and other information, try TESH - (208) 765-5105 or Teshinc.com - and Disability Action Center - (208) 664-9896 or DACNW.org; both also assist those with certain mental disabilities lead more independent lives.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].