Misinformed: We think we are talking about mental health more, but 3 in 5 people still think schizophrenia means having a split personality

A new survey, commissioned by mental health charity St Andrew's Healthcare, has revealed that, despite increased understanding of common mental health problems, complex conditions such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are still hugely misunderstood. Many of the people surveyed admitted they would be nervous, fearful, and in some cases stop seeing a person if they were diagnosed with such illnesses.

When presented with symptoms of various mental health problems, almost 40% of respondents were able to correctly identify the symptoms associated with the depression, compared to just 6% for schizophrenia or BPD.

58% of respondents to the survey, carried out by non-profit research and marketing agency, NGI Solutions, incorrectly identified having a ‘split personality' as a feature of schizophrenia, while 1 in 10 respondents thought that being a psychopath was also a ‘symptom' of the illness.

This misunderstanding has undoubtedly led to fear and stigma around more complex mental health problems, with 1 in 4 people admitting they would be nervous if someone they knew was diagnosed with schizophrenia, compared to just 1 in 20 when asked the same question about depression. The results are even more staggering as half of those surveyed stated that they, or a friend or family member, had been diagnosed with a mental health problem, illustrating that even when someone had exposure to the issue, their understanding of the more complex conditions was still low.

Katie Fisher, Chief Executive, St Andrew's Healthcare, said:

"While we have come a long way as a society in breaking down barriers about depression and anxiety, it's clear from this research that we still have a long way to go to demystify complex mental health conditions like schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder - both of which were shown in this survey to be less understood.

"The nervousness around the diagnosis of schizophrenia may be linked to fears around violence, but someone who is living with schizophrenia is far more likely to be subjected to violence than to be the perpetrator of it. Someone who has psychopathic traits, such as a lack of remorse and empathy, is completely different to someone diagnosed with schizophrenia, yet as this research highlights they're all too often confused. These myths will have a detrimental impact on vulnerable people struggling with complex mental health problems."

Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition which can cause a range of psychological symptoms including hallucinations and muddled thoughts.  People with schizophrenia do not have a split personality. BPD is characterised by emotional instability and impulsive behaviour, it's not when someone is borderline unwell and it doesn't make someone manipulative, weak-willed, and unreliable.

As a mental health charity with a number of in-patient hospitals across the UK, St Andrew's Healthcare sees first-hand the impact this stigma has on its patients.

Bridget has been living with schizophrenia for more than 40 years. After experiencing a decline in her health, she was twice admitted to one of St Andrew's psychiatric intensive care units where she received treatment to help stabilise her condition.

Bridget said:

"My illness impacts my life on a daily basis. I find it very confusing most of the time and sometimes I'm unaware of the way my behaviour changes until someone addresses it. 

"Schizophrenia and more complex illnesses are not talked about, not understood and not exposed anywhere near enough. Sometimes people can be judgmental, but this is through lack of knowledge and understanding. My advice to people who may not have any awareness of the condition is to not be afraid of us. It's much scarier for people to live with the illness day to day than it would be for someone to accept us for who we are.

"Schizophrenia is not a choice, just like someone wouldn't choose to have cancer, so be mindful and treat us equally, just as you would if someone had a physical health condition."

Katie added:

"One of the main reasons we wanted to conduct this research was to enable us to have a more open conversation about complex mental health problems to tackle stigma. We hope that in doing so, we can help patients like ours feel more able to live fulfilling lives in the community."

To see the full research report visit ngisolutions.com/stah

To find out more about St Andrew's Healthcare visit www.stah.org

ENDS

For interview opportunities, images, and more info please contact:

Lucy Nichol | 0191 440 5739 | lucy.nichol@ngi.org.uk or Jo Lehmann | 01604 872708 | JLehmann@standrew.co.uk

Notes to editor:

• The online survey was conducted via online consumer panel, Panelbase, between 29/11/19 - 02/12/19. A total of 1,002 respondents completed a 5-minute questionnaire, with the results weighted to an overall sample size of 1,000. Quotas were applied to age, gender, socio-economic grade and location, ensuring a nationally representative sample.
• Interviewees were presented with six possible symptoms of various mental health problems, including four that were actual symptoms and two that were not. 38% were able to identify all four actual symptoms of depression, compared to just 6% who could identify all four symptoms of schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder (also known emotionally unstable personality disorder).
• The survey also found:
  • 1 in 3 people associated a psychiatric hospital with an image of a padded cell, fuelling fear of admissions
  • People are twice as likely to fear admission to a psychiatric hospital than to a general hospital
  • People are just as nervous about knowing someone who has been sectioned (23%) as they are about someone who has been to prison (24%)
• Respondents who said news/documentaries were the most influential information sources impacting their perceptions of mental health problems were significantly more likely to be fearful of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital when compared to other information sources (85%).
• In a bid to tackle the stigma attached to schizophrenia, Bridget's daughter Lisa has decided to run the London marathon in April to raise awareness about the condition, as well as funds for the Charity. To support her page please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/r6gsfj-london-marathon-2020