Depression is often referred to as the “common cold” of mental illness. However, this metaphor is very misleading. You definitely can’t “catch” depression from someone and you can’t recover from depression after resting for just a few days.
At some point in their lives, 1 in 9 people are diagnosed with depression. It is not like other mental disorders. Depression affects nearly everything you do and how you interact with others. Depression creates confusion in millions of peoples’ lives every day, especially in those who believe it is something they can ‘get over’ on their own.
As psychologist John Grohol explains,
“Some people mistakenly believe that a person can only be justified in their depression if there’s a cause or reason for them to be depressed. But for the vast majority of people who suffer depression, it is not something that’s voluntary or something that one can just ‘snap out of’ or ‘stop being depressed.”
Depression can hit anyone, at anytime and for no reason at all.
Depression has some common myths:
Myth #1: Depression Means You’re Weak or Crazy!
Depression is a serious mental disorder. But, having a mental disorder doesn’t mean you’re crazy, it just means you have an issue that is negatively impacting your life. It can cause a person serious problems and concerns by leaving the problem unaddressed. Depression has no boundaries, whether you’re a strong person or a weak person. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Theodore Roosevelt were some of the strongest and most powerful people who had to deal with depression.
If left untreated, depression is an illness that can be deadly. Being weak has nothing to do it. People who recognize their struggles and seek mental help are standing up for themselves which makes them a strong person. If you consider societal stigmas towards mental health issues, a person reaching out for help is a sign of courage when they are experiencing such significant stress.
Depression is NOT a sign of a weak person. Depression is an illness, just like diabetes, and there is treatment to help you get back on track.
Myth #2: Depression Affects Everyone the Same
The symptoms are not the same for everyone who has this illness. The severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms can vary depending on the individual.
Some depressed people may appear discouraged and withdrawn, or they can be combative and self-destructive. Sometimes, there are people that are depressed about a specific problem, while there are others that don’t know why they are feeling so deeply troubled. A depressed person may even look fine to their family and friends. However, the common thread is a devastating, unrelenting feeling of pain.
There is no question that those who suffer from severe depression are sick. In some cases, depression can be deadly and debilitating. People with this disorder often have thoughts and feelings similar to this:
“It was really hard to get out of bed in the morning. I just wanted to hide under the covers and not talk to anyone. I didn’t feel much like eating and I lost a lot of weight. Nothing seemed fun anymore. I was tired all the time, and I wasn’t sleeping well at night. But I knew I had to keep going because I’ve got kids and a job. It just felt so impossible, like nothing was going to change or get better.”
Depression can occur as a one-time incident, or it can recur throughout a person’s entire life. But not everyone experiences depression in the same way. Some people experience emotional changes, some experience behavioral changes, and others may have physical changes.
Myth #3: Depression is Just an Extreme Form of Sadness
In most cases, depression is not just ordinary sadness or grief over a loss. Most people would feel better over time if it were just typical sadness or grief. Time alone doesn’t help in depression, nor does willpower…
“Pull yourself up and stop feeling so sorry for yourself!”
Depression can be every day, overwhelming feelings of sadness and desperation, for no reason. These people with depression usually have little or no motivation, have no energy and have serious sleeping problems. Depression doesn’t last for just one day. It can last for weeks, months, or sometimes with no end in sight.
Strong emotions are definitely part of depression. However, this disorder can have physical facets too. Brain chemistry, body hormones, as well as new and/or existing medical illnesses can be impacted. Depression can also cause social and occupational damage.
Depression is a psychiatric disorder that continues even if the situation changes. It may be caused by abuse, by a setback of some type, or from a loss.
Myth #4: Depression Affects Just Women and Old People
Depression does not discriminate based upon your gender, age or personality. Generally, more women than men are diagnosed with depression. Depression is not part of the normal process of aging. Teenagers and young adults cope with depression just as much as seniors do.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health depression strikes more than 6 million adults a year in the United States. Here are some other facts about this disorder:
- Women are 70% more likely than men to experience depression
- Blacks (non-Hispanic) are 40% less likely to experience depression than whites (non-Hispanic)
- Onset average age is 32-years old
- 3.3% of 13 to 18 year olds have experienced a depressive disorder
This illness is very underreported, so the numbers could be much higher.
The truth is: No matter how isolated you feel, if you are struggling with depression, you are not alone.
Depression can develop in any age group, ethnic group, economic group, and gender.
Myth #5: You’ll Be on Meds the Rest of Your Life
Most people with depression receive treatment for a certain amount of time. Some studies have suggested that a combination of therapy and medication for as little as 6 months can successfully treat depression. Yet, some doctors and mental health professionals believe that medication is a long-term solution for people with depression. The disorder’s severity and how well the various treatments work for depends on each individual. Most people who have depression do not need to be on meds for the rest of their lives. The amount of time varies from person to person.
Myth #6: All You Need is an Antidepressant
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as taking a pill. A doctor can prescribe antidepressant medication to you, but you are probably won’t feel any beneficial results from that medication for at least 6 weeks or more in some cases. Two-thirds of the patients first medication doesn’t even work.
Antidepressants can also have side effects and other dangers. Recent studies have raised questions about the effectiveness of antidepressants. A medication by itself isn’t usually enough—you might also need therapy and a change in lifestyle. Learning the facts and benefits about antidepressants can help you make an educated decision.
Psychotherapy treatment together with medication is the recommended treatment of depression. Anything else is going to be significantly less effective. Most people will suffer with their depressive symptoms longer than they need to.
Myth #7: Depression is Inherited
Some studies have questioned how much of depression really is genetic. Researchers continue to examine depression and similar mental disorders. By having a relative with depression, it only increases your risk by 10-15% for getting depression. However, even when depression may be partly due to an inheritance, it usually takes a combination of factors for a someone to develop the illness. Depression can be triggered by anything, such as a stressful event, a family strife, a big mistake, or grief.
If you have a family member with depression, it does not necessarily mean that you will become depressed too. Sometimes, if there is no family history of depression, people can become depressed as well.
The best idea for assessment and treatment is to follow up with a doctor or mental health practitioner.
The Good News
The good news is there is help and depression is highly treatable. There are many methods available to treat depression, including medication and/or counseling. Intervention and counseling has been very effective in treating depression. Individuals treated for depression have shown improvements in their symptoms when using the combination of psychotherapy and medication.
There are some protective factors against depression. These can include improving sleep habits and eating patterns, increased exercise, becoming more involved in an organization or church, and talking with a loved one, mentor, or community leader.
This information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
