1. It is easy to recognize people with mental illness because they act crazy.

False. A person who is being properly treated for a mental illness can lead a normal, productive life and show no signs of the illness.

2. Most people with mental illness commit violent crimes.

False.Only a small percentage of people with mental illness are violent. Unfortunately, people with mental illness often are portrayed as villains rather than victims in movies and television. The truth is that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than they are to commit violent crimes themselves.

3. Excessive fear and anxiety are among the symptoms of many forms of mental illness.

True. Everyone experiences fear or nervousness at one time or another. This is not necessarily a sign that a person has a mental illness. However, when a person constantly feels nervous or afraid, and these feelings interfere with his or her ability to lead a normal life, this may, in fact, be a sign of mental illness.

4. Drug or alcohol abuse often is associated with mental illness.

True. Nearly 50 percent of people with mental illness abuse drugs or alcohol. Often, people with mental illness abuse drugs or alcohol to cover up signs of mental illness. Drug or alcohol abuse is their way of coping.

5. Mental illness and mental retardation are the same thing.

False. Mental illness and mental retardation are not the same thing. People are born with mental retardation, a condition characterized by below-average intelligence throughout one's life. Mental illness, however, can affect anyone at any time. In fact, certain mental illnesses are more common among people with high intelligence and creativity.

6. Many people with mental illness are loners.

True. Why? Many people with mental illness isolate themselves to avoid rejection from others and the humiliation that accompanies it. Also, people who are constantly depressed do not want to interact with other people. Rather, they are the happiest when they are alone.

7. Mental illness is very uncommon.

False. Mental illness is more common than most people realize. Statistics tell us that mental illness is more common than cancer and heart disease combined. In fact, some famous people suffered from severe mental illness during their lifetime, including Abraham Lincoln, Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh, Sir Isaac Newton and Winston Churchill.

8. People with mental illness live in their own world and have no concept of reality.

False. Most people with mental illness are not completely out of contact with reality. Actually, they are completely aware of the stressful situations that surround them. Often, it is this increased awareness that can trigger their strong physical or emotional responses.

9. There are more effective treatments for mental illness than ever before.

True. While there are no known cures, standard treatments that can significantly reduce the symptoms of mental illnesses and enable those affected by them to live productive lives are available. Unfortunately, more than 50 percent of people with mental illness never seek treatment.