Depression is a prevalent mental illness. It is also a common and severe medical condition that has a detrimental impact on how you feel, think, and act. It can be complicated and inexplicable for many people, and it’s these factors that contribute to depression. There are numerous myths and misconceptions about depression.

Many people with depression suffer from a lack of understanding from the general population, which sometimes does not quite understand the dimension of this disease or how it affects the day-to-day lives of the people who suffer from it. Ignorance coexists with the stigma that mental health problems still carry.

The lack of understanding can translate, in the affected person, into fear or shame, and thus makes it difficult to seek professional help. Knowing and understanding the reality of depression helps normalise this mental health disorder.

In this sense, it is very interesting to review and dismantle the myths that are most widespread in our society so as not to fall, again and again, into the same errors. There are many myths surrounding depression.

15 Misunderstandings About Depression

• Myth 1: Depression and sadness are interchangeable.

FALSE. Sadness is a fleeting and temporary emotion that we all feel at certain points in life. In contrast, depression is a mental disorder that significantly interferes with the life of the sufferer. It is important to know how to distinguish the symptoms that indicate that there is a depressive picture.

• Myth 2: Men don’t suffer from depression.

FALSE: Depression does not understand gender. Sometimes men tend to hide depression from their immediate environment, and this causes it to present more serious symptoms when it is diagnosed.

• Myth 3: Depression is for life

FALSE. With a good diagnosis and proper treatment, a person can lead a normal life. The professionals will indicate to each person the type of treatment to be carried out based on the best available scientific evidence. The active involvement of the person suffering from depression and their family is essential during the development of the therapeutic process.

• Myth 4: You can fake depression

FALSE. Although in some anecdotal cases, the professional can be deceived, it is normal that it is very difficult to simulate depression. It is important to remember that depression creates great suffering for the person.

• Myth 5: Depression in older people is different and harder to treat than in younger people.

FALSE. The course of depression in older people is identical to that of younger people. The response to depression treatment is just as good in older people as in other age groups.

• Myth 6: You can’t overcome depression because you are weak.

FALSE. This disorder is influenced by chemical and biological components that have nothing to do with the character of the person, or whether they are strong or weak. Depression appears without distinguishing between personality type, socioeconomic status, age, or gender.

• Myth 7: Children don’t have depression.

FALSE. Depression does affect children, although it has symptoms that are different from those of an adult person and often goes unnoticed because we do not think about it or it is confused with other problems that can be a consequence of mood. In children, depression can be highly disabling and can develop with a high level of discomfort. 

• Myth 8: depression heals itself

FALSE. The symptoms of depression themselves, such as body fatigue, insomnia, muscle aches, changes in appetite, or altered emotions, prevent the sufferer from recovering. It is essential to be aware that you have depression and ask for help from professionals to receive the necessary help.

• Myth 9: People with depression are always sad.

FALSE. Some people with depression may not even feel sad. Each person can have different symptoms. Anhedonia is very common, that is, the inability to experience a sensation of pleasure, without this entailing falling into a state of deep sadness.

• Myth 10: Depression is the result of a traumatic event.

FALSE. Although depression can indeed be triggered by a negative situation (death of a loved one, loss of a job, end of a romantic relationship), sometimes people with depression are unable to recognise an external factor that has triggered the manifestation of this disorder.

• Myth 11: Medication is enough to recover.

FALSE. Medication intervenes by regulating the chemical imbalance in the brain and thus treating the biochemical basis of depression. But in most cases, this may be insufficient and the professional will also prescribe psychotherapy and lifestyle changes to complete the treatment and thus optimize recovery.

Myth 12: Depressive behaviour is merely self-pity

FALSE. Our society values mental resilience and willpower, and anyone who falters is quickly branded as a whiner. However, those who suffer from clinical depression are not sluggish or self-pitying. They can also not “wish” depression to end. Depression is a medical condition, a health issue connected to alterations in the brain. With the right care, it typically gets better, just like with other ailments.

• Myth13: Depression Can Be Beaten by Hard Work

FALSE. At some point in their lives, approximately one in six people may experience depression. There are many folk treatments and half-truths regarding this widespread ailment. One such suggestion is to get your work done, and you’ll feel better. This might work for a moderate case of the blues, but depression is another animal. Overworking might indicate clinical depression, especially in men.

• Myth 14: Aging and Depression go together

FALSE. The majority of people who face aging problems are without depressive symptoms. But when it occurs, it can go unnoticed. Older adults may try to disguise their unhappiness or exhibit different, ambiguous symptoms, such as a general loss of appetite, a worsening of aches and pains, or altered sleeping habits. Seniors’ depression can be brought on by medical issues, and it can make it harder for them to recover after heart attacks or surgeries.

• Myth 15: It’s Difficult to Treat Depression

The majority of people who take steps to overcome their depression do improve. In a significant study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, 70% of participants achieved symptom-free status with the help of medications—though not necessarily with the first one. According to studies, the most effective treatments frequently involve a mix of medicine and talk therapy.

• Is depression a mental illness?
• Do children get depression?
• Can a lack of sleep cause depression?
• What are the risks of depression?

Risk Factors

• Genetics: A history of depression in your family may make it more likely for you to get it….
• Death or loss: Sadness and grief are normal reactions.
• Conflict: Personal turmoil or disputes with family or friends may lead to depression.
• Abuse: It can also be impacted by previous physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

FAQ

1). Are there any alternatives to the traditional treatments for depression that I can try?

Alternative treatments have become one of the most suggested and used strategies to cure depression by millions of people. These treatments take a comprehensive approach to general well-being and assist you in finding peace and happiness.

• Acupuncture
• Meditation:
• Positive Affirmations
• Exercise
• Guided Imagery
• Deep breathing:
• Meditation
• Acupuncture

2). How do you know if depression is causing a sickness or if depression is causing a disease?

There is a proven link between depression and discomfort, and stress and discomfort. Physical signs of depression include back pain and other joint and muscle problems. Physical symptoms can include feeling always weary, sleeping poorly, having no appetite or sex desire, and a variety of aches and pains. eg Depression and other mood disorders have been demonstrated to alter pain perception, which can either cause or exacerbate pain.

3). What is a single episode of major depressive disorder?

Depressive episodes are periods of depression characterized by low mood and associated symptoms. Major Depression, Single Episode is diagnosed when a person has only had one episode of depression. When several Major Depressive Episodes occur in a sequence without any manic or mixed episodes, the diagnosis is changed to Major Depression, Recurrent.