There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding certain health disorders. Most often, people are just uninformed or uneducated on the facts.
Whether you are someone who is concerned about what symptoms mean or you are a parent, family member or a professional seeking answers, below are some of the most common myths about a few genetic disorders followed by the facts.
Myth: All people with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability.
Fact: Most people with Down syndrome have a mild to moderate cognitive disability, or intellectual disability. This is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses. Be considerate of the extra time it might take a person who has a disability to get things done or said.
Myth: Bipolar Disorder is nothing more than mood swings.
Fact: Bipolar can cause extreme changes in mood, sleep patterns, and energy levels. The mood swings associated with bipolar can be quite severe and may interfere with one’s ability to function. These mood swings are often more frequent and intense than normal mood swings.
Myth: ADHD is caused by bad parenting.
Fact: ADHD is a genetic disorder and is not caused by bad parenting. Although, environmental factors do influence the prevalence of this condition in an individual.
Myth: Mental health problems don’t affect every individual.
Truth: Mental health problems can affects anyone, regardless of culture, race, economic status, sex or ethnicity.
The good news is, there is hope and help for men, women and children who are experiencing or may be at a higher risk for developing genetic disorders. Early identification and treatment is of vital importance. By ensuring access to treatment and recovery that have been proven effective, recovery may be accelerated and additional complications typically associated with untreated conditions are minimized.
