Our mental health and wellbeing affect not only our mood but every aspect of our lives.[i] It’s good news that mental health awareness has never been higher. Encouraging people to talk openly about their challenges helps to break down the stigma long associated with mental health difficulties. It helps individuals feel less isolated in their experiences.[ii] However, with all this focus on wellbeing and self-care, we are at risk of self-diagnosing and jumping to label every emotion as a mental health challenge.[iii]
Is Our Obsession with Wellbeing Actually Making Us Feel Worse?
Maybe you’ve been feeling down and not quite yourself lately. When you turn to social media for some distraction and relief, you stumble upon influencers, mental health coaches, and people struggling with mental illness detailing the signs of depression. As you scroll through their posts, you recognise yourself in every symptom they describe. Now you’re convinced that you must have depression, and that realisation only deepens your despair. While well-intended, mental health advice on social media can be misleading. In this case, for instance, you might begin to see temporary melancholy as a significant problem.
In recent years, a lot has been done to put mental health and wellbeing in the spotlight. Which is encouraging because mental health concerns have increased considerably over the past few decades. Research shows that nearly one in four people in Aotearoa experience high levels of psychological distress.[iv] So, having these kōrero (conversations) is undoubtedly necessary. These have opened vital dialogues and helped reduce the stigma around mental illness and seeking help. However, such an intense focus on wellness may also create new pressures, potentially leading to misunderstandings.[v]
Five Common Myths About Wellbeing
Unfortunately, many people with mental health challenges;
- Never receive a proper diagnosis, and
- Never receive an evidenced-based treatment.
Many people don’t know how to access, or cannot afford, mental health treatment, leaving them to struggle alone and exacerbating their feelings of loneliness and helplessness.[vi]
Social media platforms can often seem like the only mental health resource available, which raises concerns regarding self-diagnosis and self-medication. Misconceptions about mental health and wellbeing may cause you to receive inappropriate therapy, ignore a mental illness because its symptoms resemble something else, or worry about something you don’t have.
Here are some common myths about mental health and wellbeing that can mislead us if we’re not careful.
Myth 1: If You’re Not Thriving, You Must be Unwell
There’s this idea that being well means always doing great or being stress-free and on top of things. But the truth is, there’s a whole spectrum between thriving and feeling unwell. Many highly successful people might appear to be always doing well, but what we often don’t see is that they struggle like all of us sometimes. It’s natural to experience ups and downs, to have moments where you’re just getting by, and to go through struggles only to find yourself thriving again later on. Wellbeing isn’t about feeling fantastic all the time – we all go up and down this continuum between thriving and feeling unwell at some point – it’s about having the resilience, resources, and tools to handle the tough moments when they come. A sign that you might be unwell and should see your GP is when you are persistently struggling, to the point that you’re not functioning well day-to-day or are getting through but are seriously distressed beneath the surface.
Myth 2: It’s All About Positive Thinking
Staying positive is definitely a big part of wellbeing. But unfortunately, it’s not a magic fix for every mental health struggle. The belief that you can simply fix your life by thinking optimistic thoughts or visualising improvement can be misleading and sometimes even harmful. It’s important to acknowledge and address real issues. Try and validate painful thoughts and feelings with an attitude of compassion and curiosity, rather than attempt to push them away or beat yourself up.
If you are really stuck in negative thought spirals or ruminations, knowing where to seek help becomes crucial. For example, through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) you can learn techniques to address unhelpful patterns of negative thinking. Still, it needs to be done with the support of a skilled provider to ensure it’s both safe and genuinely helpful. The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists has a list of appropriately qualified clinicians in Aotearoa. There are also free online courses available with Just a Thought.
Myth 3: There’s a Universal Solution for Optimal Wellbeing
Maybe your mate swears by a specific self-care routine or therapy that’s helped them out, but when you tried the same approach, you were disappointed and frustrated because it didn’t do much for you.
We often believe what works for one person should also work for us. But that’s not how mental health works because everyone is different. It’s important to find what suits you personally, whether it’s your routine, physical exercise, psychological therapy, connection with others, meditation, or cultural practices like karakia. Often, it’s about learning the right combination for you. This will also vary depending on where you are on the mental health continuum at any time.
Myth 4: You Don’t Need a Doctor When You Can Self-Diagnose Online
With so much information easily accessible online, it’s easy to think you can figure out what’s wrong on your own. But this can be very risky. Mental health conditions can be complex, and trying to diagnose yourself can lead to unnecessary stress. You might overlook something more serious or miss out on a proper diagnosis. If you think you might be unwell, it’s always best to get professional advice rather than trying to figure it out alone. Start with your GP, who can do a general assessment, rule out any physical contributing factors such as low iron or thyroid dysfunction, and refer you to a specialist if required.
Myth 5: Social Media Can Take the Place of Therapy
Mental health conditions can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and the type of support needed varies. But social media doesn’t feature in treatment recommendations.
For mild conditions, a GP might suggest medication or psychological treatment. You might be referred to a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. As difficulties get more serious, a combination of medication and psychological treatment might be indicated.
The therapeutic relationship between a client and psychological treatment provider is a crucial aspect. It not only sets the foundation for success, but also offers a level of interaction that social media coaching cannot provide.
Treatments delivered by qualified professionals are also informed by many years of training and experience, including understanding the research and evidence around treatment approaches.
Psychologist vs. Counsellor vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?
Reaching out for mental health support can be daunting. When you are faced with many different terms you might not understand, this can feel even more overwhelming. So, let’s briefly break down the various types of support.
· Clinical Psychologists can assess and diagnose mental health conditions and can provide psychological treatment. They don’t prescribe medication.
· Psychiatrists can also assess and diagnose mental health conditions. They are specialist medical doctors who, compared to a GP, can provide more in-depth medication support and prescriptions for mental health difficulties.
· Counsellors are there for supportive talking therapy. They cannot assess or diagnose mental health conditions, and are not necessarily trained to treat mental health conditions.
So, if you’re diagnosed, for example, with mild depression, a psychological treatment might be your treatment of choice. Alternatively, you may prefer medication as an option, which could probably be managed via your GP. For a more severe depression. you would likely require a combination of medication and psychological treatment. You may be referred to a psychiatrist or a specialist treating team for support if required.
Summary
Mental health awareness is essential, but it’s important to recognise that not every feeling or challenge needs to be labelled as a mental health condition. While it’s great that more people are talking openly about mental health, there’s a risk of over-diagnosing and relying on potentially misleading information, especially from social media.
It’s essential to steer clear of relying on social media content as a replacement for professional diagnosis or treatment. Following the wrong advice can be dangerous if you’re dealing with mental unwellness. Only clinical professionals have the expertise to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, ensuring you get the best possible care. Understanding the differences between types of mental health support can help ensure you get the proper care when needed.
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For more information, including on where to get help, visit: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/
For professional development in your workplace or organisation, consider reaching out to NZ leading clinical experts MindMatters Clinic.
References
[i] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
[iii] https://theconversation.com/increased-mental-health-awareness-is-one-thing-but-new-zealanders-need-greater-mental-health-literacy-too-20528
[iv] https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2021-22-new-zealand-health-survey
[v] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732118X2300003X#:%7E:text=https%3A//doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2023.101010
[vi] https://theconversation.com/road-to-nowhere-new-zealanders-struggle-to-get-the-help-they-need-2-years-on-from-a-funding-boost-for-mental-health-services-158868