Busted! Don’t Believe These Pop-Psychology Myths!

Over the last couple of years, popular psychology has led to the rise of dozens of myths that have given people a false sense of understanding about how their brains operate and how to interpret the behaviors of those around them. TV shows have reiterated these false notions by dramatizing them.

However, the truth is we spend a lot of time researching psychological studies and staying current on emerging psychological trends that can help almost anyone overcome any problem. Unfortunately, people rely on falsehoods more than the truth as they come ‘reliable sources such as friends or family.

At Sound Mind Psychology, I Dr. Amy Brown want to help you get the best possible help. To help you avoid falling prey to the numerous misconceptions circulating, I have debunked some of the most commonly believed myths about psychological assessment and pop-psychology.

Myth 1: Psychologists “shrink” clients to find out if they are “crazy.”

This is a perpetuating myth and the entertainment industry helps maintain this myth. As much as we all love these types of shows, actual psychology is more science-based. Universities conduct research studies about chemical and structural differences in the brain that contribute to personal struggles. They systematically test what types of treatments are best-suited for certain types of conditions. Then, they evaluate whether the therapies work for real people.

Myth 2: People can just will themselves to feel better.

“Get over it!”, “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!”, “Try harder!” or “Be happy!” are all reassuring but won’t work by themselves as brain-based conditions are more complicated than that. As much as we'd like to gift people with self-esteem, coping strategies, or academic success during tough times, there is no one answer (like eliminating food dye, taking fish oil, or using a one-size-fits-all medication).

Myth 3: Even under-qualified evaluators can provide psychological testing.

Many places purport to offer to test for “Dyslexia” or “Dysgraphia.” However, they don't fully understand the neuro-cognitive processes that underlie the conditions. In order to plan treatment, it is not sufficient only to know how far behind a student is, as we must also know “why” a student is lagging behind.

If you’re looking for psychological testing experts that provide a psychological evaluation to children, adolescents, and adults, get in touch with Sound Mind Psychology. We provide testing for, psychological testing, and psychoeducational evaluations as well as other services. For a complete list of our services, please click here. If you have any questions about Dr. Amy Brown and Sound Mind Psychology, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.