Myths Related To Depression

TruePPEJune 4, 2021

322 6 minutes read

Myths related to depression: Depression, sometimes known as major depressive disorder, is a mood illness that causes you to feel unhappy or uninterested in life on a regular basis. Most people experience sadness or depression from time to time. It’s a natural reaction to grief or life’s difficulties. However, when acute grief lasts for days to weeks and prevents you from living your life, it may be much more than grief. Clinical depression is a medical disorder that can be treated.

Despite the fact that facts and statistics about depression are easily available, there are still numerous myths about depression today. Because many depression misconceptions tend to foster stigma and discrimination surrounding the mental health condition, it’s vital to distinguish between myths and realities. Some people may be deterred from seeking treatment for their depression symptoms because of this stigma. The most effective way to address this problem is to dispel depression myths with facts and raise public awareness of the condition.

1. Depression isn’t a real sickness is one amongst the many myths

Depression is a mental condition, not just a transitory feeling of sadness. Myths claiming that depression isn’t a real illness claim that it’s merely a bad case of the blues. Depression, on the other hand, is a complex condition caused by a combination of biological, environmental, and social factors. It is a mental illness that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Depression produces a great deal of distress and impairment in one’s day-to-day functioning, resulting in a great deal of emotional, social, academic, and occupational challenges. It can be difficult to overcome and may necessitate long-term treatment. Depression is a serious illness with real symptoms and consequences.

2. Depression only affects women

The assumption that depression mainly affects women leads to the false conclusion that depression in men does not exist is the biggest myths. Due to social constraints, men may be less likely to admit or report it. Men find it difficult to demonstrate weakness, share their thoughts, or seek help because of social and cultural conventions. Some guys are afraid that admitting they are depressed will make them appear weak or unmanly. As a result, men are less likely to recognize their symptoms, disclose their problems, or seek therapy.

Men’s depression manifests itself in many ways, including angry, irritated, and violent symptoms. Men are also more likely to participate in risky behaviors and acquire substance use disorders as a result. These variables can make diagnosing depression in males difficult. Every year, more than 6 million men in the United States suffer from depression. Men are more prone than women to commit suicide, thus depression can have serious effects for them. Male suicide rates are roughly four times higher than female suicide rates. Depression affects both men and women.

3. Depression and sadness are the same conditions

It’s vital to consider the duration and remission of symptoms when comparing depression with melancholy. Sadness, on the other hand, does not continue as long as a depressive episode, which might last weeks, months, or even years. Sadness tends to fade away on its own, especially with the passage of time and the support of family and friends, whereas depression does not. Individuals who are sad just experience sadness, however, those who are depressed often experience worry, emptiness, and hopelessness, among other emotions, and depression is just amongst many myths. Between depression and melancholy, there are fundamental distinctions to be made.

4. You must have depression because your parents have depression

While it is true that depression has a genetic component, it does not necessarily indicate that children are destined to develop and experience depression-like their parents. Yes, depression is inherited, however, it appears that heredity has a greater impact on a person’s risk and sensitivity to the disorder than on the disorder’s actual development. While it is beneficial to be aware of one’s family history, dwelling on it is not. It is a better use of time and energy to concentrate on factors that reduce the risk of depression, such as avoiding substance abuse and practicing self-care. Depression does not affect everyone who has a family history of it.

5. Antidepressants can be used to change your personality

While antidepressants affect the chemicals in the brain, they have no effect on a person’s personality. Antidepressants work by affecting specific chemicals in the brain that are linked to depression, rather than altering brain chemistry that is linked to personality. In fact, they are said to help people feel more like themselves by many people who take them. Antidepressants work by affecting brain chemicals that are unrelated to personality.

6. You need medication to treat depression for the rest of your life

Antidepressants are frequently used in the treatment of long-term depression, but they are not always required to be taken for the rest of one’s life. There are a variety of depression therapy alternatives available, which vary in intensity based on the severity of the depression. Antidepressants are prescribed for a specific amount of time, depending on the severity of the depression and the individual’s treatment plan.

Psychotherapy may be prescribed as an additional course of treatment for depression in addition to medication. Therapy can help a person learn coping methods for dealing with depression symptoms and teach them how to use them. Developing new coping skills may reduce the need for medicines. In some cases, however, using antidepressants in addition to therapy may be scientifically suggested. In any case, there is no proof that you will require medication for the rest of your life. Antidepressants can be taken for a long time, but they are not required to be used for the rest of your life.

7. Talking about depression makes it worse

It is recommended that people talk about their depression symptoms in order to assist them to overcome their problems. People who suffer from depression may feel as if they are a burden to others, and silence often contributes to the negative stigma associated with mental illnesses. Talking to friends, family members, or mental health professionals about depression might help those who are depressed feel less alone. Depression symptoms can be alleviated by talking about them.

8. Depression is only caused by a traumatic event

Depression has no established origin, however, it is assumed to be caused by a mix of biochemical, genetic, and environmental variables. While traumatic events are a risk factor for depression, they are not the sole ones. Even when things appear to be going well in a person’s life, depression can strike without warning. A distressing event that occurs to someone who is already depressed is likely to exacerbate their symptoms. While a traumatic incident might produce depression, it is more commonly caused by other factors.

9. Depression will naturally leave your life without you doing something about it

In order to address depressive symptoms, treatment is required. It’s quite rare for depression to go away on its own without treatment. Depression can last for months or even years without therapy, and it can lead to self-harming or suicide. Treatments for depression are successful and allow a person to resume normal daily activities. It can also teach patients useful coping techniques that will help them cope with symptoms and other stressors. Depression symptoms rarely improve without professional help.

10. Depression is a sign of weakness

Depression is a mental health problem caused by a physiological imbalance rather than a character flaw. Depressed people do not choose to be depressed. Depression is only perceived as a weakness because of the stigma attached to it by society; it has nothing to do with a person’s mental, emotional, or physical strength. Depression is unrelated to a person’s personality.

11. It’s all in your head

Depression is a serious mental health problem that is caused by a combination of biological, emotional, and environmental factors. Sleep disturbances, exhaustion, and aches and pains are just a few of the physical signs of depression. Someone who is depressed isn’t just imagining their symptoms and can’t seem to get them to go away. Depression is a recognized mental health issue.

12. You can just snap out of it

To avoid unwanted repercussions, it is vital to seek therapy for depression. Treatment can help a person reclaim their happiness, reclaim their lives, and return to normal functioning levels. Depression is caused by bigger biological, psychological, and social elements that are beyond a person’s control. It is not a decision to fall into depression, and in many cases, mental health treatment is the only way to get out of it. Depression must be treated by a medical practitioner. Depression can be treated with the right treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering from co-occurring depression and drug abuse disorder, it all starts with a phone call. Make sure to use fogger machines whenever possible to keep your surroundings safe and virus-free.

Depression symptoms

For the most part of the day, especially in the morning, your mood is sad.
Almost every day, you feel fatigued or drained of energy.
Almost every day, you feel worthless or guilty.
You have a sense of hopelessness or pessimism.
You find it difficult to concentrate, remember information, or make decisions.
Almost every day, you can’t sleep or sleep too much.
Almost every day, you show little enthusiasm or enjoyment in a variety of activities.
You think about death or suicide a lot (not just a fear of death).
You’re agitated or slowed down.
You’ve gained or lost weight.