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7 Disorders & Their Myths

This is where I do my best to tackle 7 of the most common psychological issues that I have personally come across during my interactions with people. Each section tackles 5 of the most popular myths about each disorder, in my opinion.

 

You can click on each condition to learn more about the myths, and the facts (along with credible resources) used to debunk them.

NONE of the information presented here is medical advice. This website was created for informational purposes ONLY. If you have concerns about mental health issues, please talk to your doctor!

Defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as "a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence".

Addiction carries with it not only many myths, but also a massive stigma. Click here (or the heading) to learn more!

2

The medical definition of the word anxiety according to Merriam-Webster is as follows, "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it"

What people refer to in normal conversation as anxiety, or anxious behavior, does not even come close to what would be considered true (diagnosable) anxiety.

3

According to the NHS, "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse."

Note: ADHD is also called ADD (attention deficit disorder) by the general public.

4

According to the CDC, "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. Scientists believe there are multiple causes of ASD that act together to change the most common ways people develop."

ASD has many myths associated with it within the general public consciousness. None of them seem helpful or productive, to be frank. From Vaccines causing the disorder, to people feeding their children cocktails containing bleach. It would benefit society as a whole to understand this disorder in a more in-depth manner.

5

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks."

Some of the symptoms of this disorder mimic those of ADHD, and therefore, the two disorders are sometimes confused by the general public simply looking up their symptoms online using a search engine.

6

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working."

An interesting thing to note is that a lot of the symptoms of depression can mimic that of burnout. However, burnout and depression are NOT the same!

7

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts ("obsessions") and/or behaviors ("compulsions") that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over."

The term "OCD" seems to have stuck within the general public, prompting people to describe some behavior as "OCD", when it really would not be considered obsessive-compulsive at all in terms of psychology.

For informational purposes only. Not medical advice.

Last updated: July 26, 2023

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