Mental Retardation Facts

Often mental retardation is regarded as intellectual disability. The difference between the two is, mentally retarded individuals, cannot lead an independent life and have a low IQ, or intelligence quotient. On the other hand, a person suffering from intellectual disability, has a below normal IQ, but manages to live a fairly independent life. Additionally, children who are diagnosed with intellectual disability can learn a lot, which helps them deal with larger set of problems as compared to mentally retarded children. There are a lot of myths about mental retardation which need to be cleared.

Questions and Answers about Mental Retardation

How many people suffer from it?
About 3% of America's population suffers from mental retardation. This figure is tantamount to about 7 million people.

Does it strike with the same degree of intensity for everyone?
Degree of the condition amongst children or adults differs with every case.

Is ita part of person's imagination?
Such a condition is not imaginary. It is a brain disorder and not a figment of someone's imagination. These mental illnesses are for real and not invented by someone.

Are mentally retarded persons violent and dangerous?
Mentally retarded person are not always dangerous and violent. As their emotional quotient is low and learning capability is less than normal, they react to situation in an abnormal way. This is what makes them seem violent. However, if they are dealt with care and love, they can very well understand problems.

Is mental illness and mental retardation the same?
Mental retardation is not always mental illness. It means a person develops the intellectual capacity at a below average rate. Persons suffering from such a condition require constant care, intervention and custom-made system of education.

Is it contagious?
No, it is a condition that causes damage to the neurological system. It is not a contagious disease.

Is a mental asylum the proper place of stay for mentally retarded people?
The degree of mental retardation varies from person to person. It has been found that those suffering from severe mental retardation can be independent with proper training and guidance, provided by asylums. However, if it's a mild case, it can also be treated at home, with some help.

Is vocational training for people suffering from this condition a waste of time?
It's not true. Mentally retarded persons, have a slower learning rate. However, they have the ability to learn. Providing a mentally retarded person with vocational training, does help them in enhancing their motor skills, thinking ability and cognitive skills, thus helping them in leading a better life.

Is it true that mental retardation cannot be prevented?
German measles in the pregnant female, meningitis, toxoplasmosis, Rh factor; and chromosomal abnormalities are some of the reasons for mental retardation caused during early childhood. In some cases, it can be prevented, if a pregnant women takes good care. However, in some cases the condition goes unnoticed.

Only a doctor can diagnose mental retardation, by analyzing its symptoms. It is due to our disability to see beyond, the obvious, that we live under such myths about mental health. These facts will hopefully help you get a new perspective about such individuals. Help these individuals, by loving them and accepting as a part of the community, that is all that they are asking for. Selective ostracism of such individuals, by blindly following myths will leave all of us in great trouble.