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There are certain misconceptions about psychology that people have lived with over the years simply because either they do not understand the nature of mental illness or because they are firmly rooted in their cultural attitudes.
These beliefs have been proven to be inaccurate as they really are unfounded and can not be supported by scientific evidence. They have been partly responsible for neglect psychiatric patient is sometimes exposed to.
1. What mental illness is unique and different from physical illness: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”
Illness clearly, in different forms. Physical illness appeared in the form of headache, fever, pain, cough, etc. So also is a mental illness in the form of obvious irrational behavior. The above characteristics are known as symptoms of the disease: it does not matter whether they are physical or otherwise; disease is a disease.
2. Psychiatric patients are violent and dangerous: This is not always true and quite a number of these patients less violent than some of those who are perceived to be well.
3. Patients Psychiatric never get well when they go on the market: This is false as many of them have been selected from the market and taken to hospital for treatment they received well by proper management.
4. mental illness is a punishment for sin: Illnesses are caused by bacteria, toxins, hormonal imbalance, stress, genetic problems, etc. The same applies to mental illness. They are not caused by curses or sins they are caused by any of the above.
5. Psychiatric disease is incurable: Treatment of psychiatric problems could take a long time before the patient gets well. The same applies to diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, tuberculosis, kidney disease, heart disease, etc …
Mentally ill patients may suffer setback as also seen in malaria, eczema, asthma, gastric ulcer, etc. and they could also have persistent . The same thing occurs in other forms of physical disorders.
6. mental illness is contagious: mental illness is safest to stay close as they are not infectious. Unlike some forms of physical diseases, they are not transmitted through contact with the patient or contact with bodily discharges.
7. psychiatric nurses are only trained to handle psychiatric patients: This is the only area of specialization. Every nurse trained in basic patient care and can work in any hospital or healthcare installed.
8. mental illness is seasonal: This is also wrong. Patients may have a regular setbacks but their illness is not open.
9. psychiatric nurses behave like their patients: The environment can influence the behavior of people in some ways. Exposure nurse with mentally ill patients helps the nurse to develop emotionally and understand the importance of interpersonal relationships.
10. One must be mentally ill if bitten by a psychiatric patient: Illness can not be transmitted through saliva or human bite. It is a disease of the mind and so can not infect another person.
The understanding of these misunderstandings would enable us to better connect with patients with mental illness and be well equipped to lend a helping hand when needed to reduce their plight.
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Source by Joseph Ezie Efoghor