What are some of the misconceptions of depression?
Myth: Depression is rare and will not happen to me.
Depression can happen to anyone, regardless of sex, race or age. No one plans on becoming depressed, but approximately 20 percent of people will develop symptoms of depression in their lifetime.
Myth: Depression is a sign of weakness and can be “willed” away.
Depression is unrelated to the strength of someone’s character; it is a serious medical condition that endangers lives. Depression has behavioral and biological components that cannot be wished away. Depression is often triggered by major life events that may be challenging to cope with, e.g., the loss of a loved one, loss of job, etc. Seeking help for depression, and other needed medical care, is an act of courage and strength.
Myth: Depression is temporary and will go away by itself.
For some fortunate individuals, symptoms of depression may fade away on its own; however, it may take weeks, months or even years. In the meantime, you may be missing out on life, and can be significantly impacting your personal and professional relationships. More often than not, the symptoms of depression do not go away on their own, and are likely to get worse if left untreated. It is important to seek help early to prevent symptoms from worsening and compounding difficulties with those around you. Clinical depression is a potentially fatal disease – and suicide could be the end result of waiting and wishing for it to go away without assistance.
Myth: Depression cannot be treated.
Depression is one of the most treatable of all mental health conditions. The World Health Organization reported that about 80% of people positively respond to a combination of medication and therapy. Between therapy and medication, there are solutions and many alternatives to living with a feeling of unshakable sadness.
Myth: Depression can only be treated by medication.
Medication is only one option for treating depression. Depression is also treated using psychological interventions or counseling, lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, support groups, etc. The treatment needs of each individual may be different. Therefore, people suffering from feelings of depression should consult a mental health professional to find out more about options that may be right for them, and to develop an individual treatment plan.
Myth: Depression is just a normal case of the “blues”.
Everyone gets the blues or blahs from time to time, usually in reaction to a disappointment or an upsetting event. But the blues only last a day or two, where depression can last much longer. Persistent feelings of sadness are one of the symptoms of depression, but depression also involves physical symptoms such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns, emotional symptoms such as feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and low self-esteem, as well as changes in behavior such a loss of interest in our usual activities and decreased motivation. When these symptoms last longer than two weeks, it is advisable to talk to a counselor.
Myth: Depression is a normal part of getting older.
Depression is not just a part of aging, however, seniors may have experienced more of the events that trigger depression, such as loss of loved ones, failing health, isolation, and financial worries. Also, people over the age of 60 grew up in a time when mental health was rarely discussed, and they may not feel as comfortable asking for help as later generations. The highest rate of suicide of any age group is men who are 65 or older.
Myth: Depression only affects women.
Although women are more likely to report and seek treatment for depression, men can also struggle with depression. Men have a higher rate of suicide attempts than women, and are more likely to turn to a chemical addiction to manage their condition.
Myth: We shouldn’t talk about feeling depressed because it will just make it worse.
Some people may think that talking about depression will just make it worse, and that we shouldn’t dwell on problems. However, people are fundamentally social creatures, and when we share our feelings with one another, we actually can feel better. Talking to an experienced professional therapist can provide a safe, confidential place to open up and get fresh ideas on how to approach problems.