Fact or Myth?

Myth: People who are mentally ill should just pull themselves together & think positively
Fact: Serious mental illnesses are brain disorders over which people have little or no control

Myth: A person with schizophrenia has multiple personalities
Fact: Schizophrenia changes the way people think; "Split" or multiple personality disorder is different

Myth: Mental illness is caused by family stress or other life traumas
Fact: Not the product of "bad parenting" although stress may have an influence

Myth: Mentally ill people are dangerous & violent
Fact: No more violent than the general population. Disease exaggerates/distorts the personality -- It does not change peaceful people into violent ones