Mental health myths: Intelligence

Sometimes, I take the opportunity to discuss mental health myths and the truths behind them. There is so much misinformation out there and we all need to do our part to help others see the truth about mental illness. This time, I’m talking about intelligence.

Myth: People with mental illnesses are less intelligent.

Fact: Mental illnesses, learning disorders and intellectual disabilities are not the same thing.

   

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While psychologists diagnose mental illnesses, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities, they are not the same thing. What we commonly refer to as “mental illness” generally means the emotional disorders, with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and so on. These are what I talk about most of the time on this blog. They don’t, however, have anything to do with how intelligent you are.

Learning disorders are when you have a problem with your cognition that leaves you on unequal footing with your peers when it comes to your capacity to learn. These include, for instance, dyslexia, math disability and, depending on who you ask, ADHD. These are caused by the way your brain processes information. But they still aren’t a measure of how intelligent you are, just the way you learn and what you struggle with.

Intellectual disabilities are about intelligence. While the actual diagnostic criteria are a little more complicated, they are generally considered to be associated with an IQ of 70 or lower. Since the average IQ is 100 (more or less), this puts someone with an intellectual disability at a serious disadvantage. For comparison, above average intelligence is generally considered 110 and higher. That means that the difference between average and gifted is smaller than that of average and intellectually disabled. An intellectual disability therefore means that you have very real struggles in your day-to-day functioning. 

So how do they all relate? 

• Mental illness is not correlated with IQ.

• You can have a learning disorder without having an intellectual disability.

• Intellectual disabilities and learning disorders can influence each other, but one is not a measure of the other.

Think of the whole “crazy genius” archetype, if nothing else. There have been enough people with extraordinary intelligence and a mental illness for that idea to even exist. Anecdotally, some of the smartest people I’ve met have struggled with some form of mental illness or even a learning disorder. People considered intelligent are just as likely to have a mental illness as those who are less intelligent. 

Intelligence is also not measured perfectly by IQ testing. Artistic aptitude, for instance, is not measured on standardized tests. Neither are your ability to build something with your hands or your social intelligence. The truth is, intelligence comes in many forms. And here another archetype comes into place: the idiot savant. There are people who struggle with overall intelligence, but are geniuses in a specific area. These individuals can have just as much to offer as anyone else, just in a very specific way.

Whether someone has a mental illness, a learning disorder, an intellectual disability or none of these at all, everyone deserves respect. Don’t treat others as if you assume they are “stupid.” Differences in intelligence are a part of human existence, just like race, sexuality, religion, physical illnesses and so on. And remember that emotional disorders have nothing to do with intelligence. They happen to the best of us.

What has your experience been with mental illness and intelligence? Share your stories in the comments.

Mental health myths: Am I crazy enough?

Mental health concerns come with a lot of misunderstandings and there is plenty of misinformation out there. That’s why I like to tackle mental health myths from time to time. Today, let’s look at some thoughts about seeking treatment.

Myth: If I see a therapist, I’m crazy.

Fact: There are lots of “non-crazy” reasons to seek help.

   

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Somewhere in their heads, people set an imaginary standard for what the threshold should be for seeking mental health treatment. People come up with an idea of what they think is “bad enough.” One of the unfortunate consequences of this is that it makes people assume that someone who is in treatment meets their criteria for what they believe a mental health patient is. This is often not the case.

An acute crisis or severe symptoms definitely warrant treatment. But these are not the only reasons to seek it. It’s completely normal to go to a therapist if you are experiencing mild or moderate distress. This is, in fact, a good thing. By working on your problems before they get magnified with time saves you a lot of effort in the long run. 

It’s kind of like getting a headache. You notice that you’re hurting, but think that it’ll pass. As the day goes on, it gets worse and worse. Finally, you take some ibuprofen. But because the headache has set in more deeply at this point, it might be that no amount of pills makes it go away. You just may not feel better until after you sleep it off. Ultimately, you prolong your pain by not taking preventative action when your discomfort was tolerable. 

The same goes for staying in treatment after you start feeling better. There is no pressure to terminate until you are ready. You don’t have to stop just because you’re mostly doing better. Maintenance is important. My symptoms are not nearly as bad as they have been in the past, but I’m still in treatment because I don’t want to go back there. You might want to reduce the frequency of your sessions when you have made significant progress, but that is something to discuss with your therapist. Together you can make a decision on that.

Some people feel like they have to “earn” the right to be in therapy. They think that they don’t deserve treatment because they aren’t psychotic, don’t have a history of trauma or can cope reasonably well with their lives. The thing is, you don’t have to be a certain way to deserve help. The only prerequisite is a desire to improve your life. 

Honestly, you don’t even have to have problems to be in therapy. Plenty of people go for self-improvement. Some examples include learning to develop better relationships, finding greater fulfillment in your life, learning more about yourself and so on. You just can’t make assumptions about why people are in therapy.

In short, you don’t have to have hallucinations or be so depressed you can’t get out of bed for months before seeing a therapist. If you feel like therapy is or would be helpful for you, go for it. Likewise, don’t pass judgment on anyone else for seeking help. They don’t know your circumstances and you don’t know theirs. There is no template for what someone in treatment looks like. 

What beliefs have you had about yourself because you’re in treatment? How did you work through them? Talk about it in the comments.

5 things suicidal people talk about

    

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Being suicidal can come with a wide range of symptoms and behaviors. It will manifest in as many different ways as there are people. But there are commonalities that tend to appear. One of those is what they talk about. If the following topics come up, you may want to pry further to check on the wellbeing of the person in question.

1. Wanting to die

The idea that suicidal people don’t talk about suicide is definitely a myth. They frequently give indications of their desire to die, sometimes even flat out saying that they want to commit suicide. Saying it does not mean that they won’t do it. Sometimes it’s more indirect, with statements like, “I wish I’d just get hit by a bus.” If someone says anything at all that indicates a desire to be dead, it should be pried
                                                                                                                    into.

2. Feeling stuck, hopeless and having no reason to live

Suicide sometimes happens because there seem to be no other options. Talking about hopelessness or entrapment can therefore be a warning that the person is headed in that direction. There are always options. We may not like them, but they are there. When suicidal, though, those options can seem to disappear. This topic is an indicator that should be taken seriously.

3. Being a burden

Being suicidal can make one feel like a waste of space. Suicidal individuals might feel like they are simply a problem in the lives of others. They might think that others would be better off without them. This can be especially true when illness is present that requires assistance. If the person can’t contribute in the same way others are contributing, it can set off thoughts about the lives of loved ones being better without him or her.

4. Suddenly making big improvements

Sometimes, suicide is preceded by a significant increase in mood. The person might be a lot happier and more positive. This can come from feeling at peace with the decision to actually end ones life. Talking about how something “won’t be a problem any longer” or “doesn’t matter anymore” can stem from the decision to not be around at all. The more rapid and extreme the change is, the more you should ask questions to see what’s really going on.

5. Saying goodbye

It is normal to want a sense of closure. That’s why suicidal people sometimes go around and say goodbye to or make amends with others. It might be in an indirect way, such as, “I value our friendship and would miss it if we were away from each other,” or, “If anything happens to me, I want you to know…” The hypotheticals might not be so hypothetical after all, so it’s important to look out for these statements.

In combination with other warning signs, especially, it is important to take action. Always make sure that the person you care about has resources. There are suicide hotlines, doctors, therapists and community mental health organizations. If you aren’t sure of what to do, you can reach out to these resources as well and ask for appropriate advice. If you believe suicide is imminent or there is an actual attempt, call 911 or take the person to the emergency room. It may cause some upset in the short term, but having an angry loved one is better than having a dead one.

Have you talked to someone and worried about suicidality? How did you know that you needed to reach out?

Mental health myths: causes of depression

I occasionally post about mental health myths. I try to debunk incorrect beliefs about mental illness. This time I am talking about the causes of depression.

Myth: Depression is caused by sad or upsetting events.

Fact: Depression can strike at any time.

Some people believe that depression is caused by something unfortunate happening. This might be a death, a breakup, illness, loss of employment or other difficult life events. While these situations can certainly trigger a depressive episode, they are not the sole cause of depression.

No one knows exactly how mental illness works, and that includes depression. It is generally believed to be a mix of several different factors. Some of the possible contributors are listed below.

• Genetics. You might have inherited more from your parents than your looks or your mannerisms. Having family members with depression increases your risk of developing it. It’s not a straightforward genetic trait, so it’s unpredictable to know who will get it. But if your parents, siblings, grandparents or other blood relatives have struggled with depression, keep an eye out for symptoms in yourself.

• Brain chemistry. The brain chemistry of depressed individuals is different than that those without it. This brings up the whole chicken or the egg argument about whether it’s the chemistry that causes depression or the depression that changes the chemistry. Either way, it is a factor that might contribute to developing a depressive
                                                                                                                               disorder.

• Hormones. Hormonal imbalances are another potential cause of depression. This might be due to thyroid problems, pregnancy, menopause or other changes in ones hormones. Your doctor can look for other symptoms of a hormonal condition and order tests to confirm any suspicions. There are treatments for hormonal imbalances that will by extension alleviate the depression.

• Substance abuse. Depression often goes hand in hand with substance abuse. One estimate is that 30% of people struggling with substance abuse also experience clinical depression. This might partially be because alcohol and drugs can be used to self-medicate, but the effects of these substances on the body can increase chances of depression as well. 

• Taking medication. Some drugs increase the risk of depression. It can be a side effect. If you are feeling depressed and have recently started taking or changed your dose of a medication, talk to your doctor. There might be other medications that treat the same things and won’t cause you to experience depression.

• Stressful events. We’ve already established that negative events can contribute to depression, but positive ones can as well. If it is causing significant stress, it can cause depression. Some events might include getting married, buying a new home, graduating or starting a new job. 

• Social problems. How you interact – or don’t interact – with others can influence depression. If you feel socially isolated or are struggling with interpersonal difficulties, you might become more depressed. Rejection from a social group can be especially triggering.

It is apparent that a variety of factors contribute to depression. It can be affected by genetics, biology, behaviors, events, relationships and more. It can be complicated to pin down what, exactly, is causing a depressive episode, so it is important to be open with your doctor and your therapist. They can help figure out the causes of your depression and recommend appropriate treatment specific to your causes.

To read all the mental health myth segments, click here.

What has triggered depressive episodes for you? Share your stories in the comments.

Mental health myths: Is mental illness a choice?

I am taking on another mental health myth. Today I want to debunk that mental illness is a choice and that there are easy ways out of it. I am going to label this as an opinionated piece, so if you’d rather not read it, go ahead and stop now. I’ll see you next time.

Myth: You can just snap out of mental illnesses.

Fact: Mental illness is not a choice.

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I have a way of knowing that my mental illnesses are real. If they weren’t, I would change them. I have been trying for years, but I still have disorders that I am gradually recovering from. I have some physical health conditions as well. If I could stop those symptoms, they would be gone, too. But no one expects me to do that. And I have put way more effort into stopping my mental health issues than my physical ones. If I could make them go away, they would have been gone years ago.

Trust me, if you could just make it stop, mental illness would not exist. It’s miserable. It damages your relationships and your ability to function. It can make you your own greatest enemy. Sometimes it causes you to do damage to yourself physically, socially or emotionally. It can be insidious, or symptoms might get unmanageable in an instant. You never know.

If mental illness were not real, the United States would have been $57.5 billion richer in 2006 (The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). This was equivalent to the cost of cancer. Thousands of health care professionals would be out of work. The American Psychological Association estimates that there are close to 100,000 licensed psychologists in the U.S. alone. And that number is not considering other types of therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, substance abuse counselors and others who work in the mental health field. There would be no need for such a large industry if people were simply being grumpy or nervous and blowing it out of proportion. 

One in four Americans suffers from a mental illness in any give year (National Institute of Mental Health). If mental illness had quick fixes, the only logical conclusion is that this number would be a lot lower. 

It can be very harmful to treat people with mental illnesses as if it is a choice. Gender is not a choice. Race is not a choice. Sexuality is not a choice. Physical illness is not a choice. And mental illness is certainly not a choice either. Biological bases for certain mental illnesses are considered scientific facts. There are high correlations between environmental and developmental difficulties and mental illness. 

By treating someone as if she is being weak or lazy, you are invalidating a very real struggle that you should be so thankful that you aren’t the one dealing with. Having others reject, mock or belittle mental health issues can make symptoms worse. You will never help someone with a mental illness by encouraging him to snap out of it. Instead, focus on how you can help. Be someone family, friends and colleagues can turn to for understanding and kindness. For ideas about how to do this, read the post about helping loved ones with mental illnesses.

Mental health myths: children and mental illness

I am taking some time to discuss issues related to childhood and adolescent mental health. Let’s start with a very basic mental health myth.

Myth: Children cannot develop mental illnesses.

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Fact: A significant number of children and teens struggle with mental health issues. 

Sadly, being a minor does not eliminate the possibility of having mental health issues. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 13 percent of kids and teens between the ages of 8 and 15 struggle with a severe mental health condition. For teens between 13 and 18, that number increases to 20 percent. And those are just severe conditions – there are even more that are struggling with mild and moderate mental health issues.

There are dozens of diagnoses that are considered childhood disorders. These include learning disorders, but also conditions related to development, attachment, behavior, and more. In addition, mental illnesses that adults get can have separate diagnostic criteria for childhood versions of the same condition.

By some estimates, there are more children suffering from mental illnesses than physical ones in North America. These conditions can be devastating not only to children, but to entire families. When one family member struggles with mental illness, it affects the whole family. The family dynamic is disrupted and other family members can experience stress, anger, guilt, shame or denial. It is therefore important for everyone’s needs to be considered, not just those of the one struggling with mental health issues.

By being young, kids and teens won't always have the perspective of knowing what is and isn't normal in terms of their psychological health. We assume that others are like us, so until someone points out that, no, most people don't have to wash their hands repetitively, they might think it's the standard. Some children have never really had a chance to not struggle with mental health, so they don’t know that there is something wrong. That’s why it’s so important for adults to look for signs of mental illness in children.

Some symptoms to watch out for in children and teens include:

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• Being unable to cope with everyday problems.

• Not doing well at school (especially if the child is really trying).

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Loss of interest in activities and friends.

• Persistent negative moods.

• Sleep problems, including disrupted sleep, nightmares and sleepwalking.

• Frequent physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches.

• Changes in eating habits.

• Unwarranted amounts of worry and anxiety.

• Regressing to behaviors of a younger age, such as becoming clingy or bedwetting.

• Risk-taking behavior.

• Repeated anger outbursts.

• Frequent disobedience and aggressive behavior.

• Self-injury.
• Substance abuse.

• Unusual amounts of time spent alone.

• Disproportionately intense feelings.

• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.

Take these symptoms seriously. On Saturday, there will be a post detailing how to get help when children and teens experience mental health concerns.

Do you have an experience with childhood or adolescent mental illness that you’d like to share? Please post in the comments.

Mental health myths: violence

When it comes to mental illness, most people are not as well-informed as we'd like to think they are. This is true of both those who have and have not struggled with it. What is thought of as matter-of-fact might not actually be supported by research and common sense doesn't always apply. This is why it's important to reconsider our assumptions.

From time to time, I'll cover different mental health myths and show the facts behind the truth. Today's topic is violence.

Myth: Mentally ill individuals are violent.

Fact: The mentally ill are generally no more violent than anyone else.

  

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Despite what Hollywood movies and the news would have you believe, mental illness does not account for a much violence at all. Only 3-5% of all violent acts are caused by individuals with serious mental illnesses. This isn't much, especially since 6% of the population qualifies as seriously mentally ill. This means that they are actually doing less than their expected share of violent acts.

In addition, mentally ill individuals are at a higher risk for being on the receiving end of violence. This same group of seriously mentally ill individuals are ten times as likely to be the victim of a violent crime than the general population. That is a very significant increase.

When mentally ill individuals do become violent, it is most likely towards themselves. Over 90% of those who lose their lives to suicide can be diagnosed with a mental illness. It's hard to find exact numbers, but it is generally accepted that suicide is far more common than homicide. Self-injury is also a serious mental health concern and another way that the mentally ill turn on themselves.

While the messages we get from the media suggest mental illness as a predecessor to violence, the concern should be more along the lines of protecting the mentally ill from the violence of others. If you are experiencing violence in your interpersonal life – whether related to mental illness or not – visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233.


Sources:
http://www.mentalhealth.gov/
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
http://www.nami.org/