Depression is a critical mental health condition that affects a huge population of people in the world. The effects are not generally the same to each person but the symptoms are similar.
With this extensive topic, several people believed a lot of myths about it.
Depression is believed by many as a minimal illness, a person’s choice, and hereditary. Others also said this only affects women and it will worsen by talking about the condition.
Antidepressants are also assumed to change someone’s personality and they should live with their medications forever.
In this article, we will discuss the myths about depression. We will define what depression is and its symptoms.
Table of Contents
Depression: What It Is and How to Recognize it
Depression is a mental health condition that influences your mood, feeling, and actions. People who usually experience this tend to be sad, and lack interest in the things that made them happy before.
They encounter difficulties absorbing and acknowledging positivity in their lives.
The cause of depression starts with a variety of reasons. It may be from negative remarks, the death of loved ones, and more.
Other triggering grounds also include stress and being overwhelmed by their feelings. Once a person undergoes this condition, they cannot properly function mentally and physically.
Here are some of the symptoms that a person may feel if they have depression:
- Feeling worthless, helpless, sad, and empty
- Appetite change
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Lacks interest in the daily activities
- Always tired
- Irritated and frustrated
- Tends to sleep longer or change of sleeping pattern
- Unorganized thoughts result in difficulties in making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts and attempts
If the listed symptoms persist for 14 days or more, make sure to seek professional help for complete diagnosis and treatment. Avoid ignoring it as it can worsen and may lead to several consequences.
9 Popular Myths About Depression
Depression is one of the most popular mental health disorders around the world. Some people know the real definition of this condition but others may seem to misinterpret it.
Mostly, if you ask a person their thoughts about it, they will probably answer you with “sadness”.
The misconception of depression is not only limited to its definition. People sometimes ignore, disregard, and even invalidate others or their feelings.
The misunderstanding leads to the depressed person refusing the fact due to the fear of having it.
To clarify the common myths that you might have heard, we enumerate and discussed them on the following:
Myth 1: Depression is not just a common illness
Depression is a serious condition that you cannot see and it’s not a contagious disease. Those who lack correct understanding about this can widen this perspective by telling it to others.
Another belief that you might have heard is that this disorder is just normal unhappiness and it can go away immediately after crying but no, it’s more crucial than that.
A doctor can provide a deep explanation of the person’s state and depression can be treated in several kinds of treatments and medications.
If you feel sad for a day, you can assume that you are just sad but if it prolongs, be careful and see a specialist. You can’t determine your condition on your own but you can identify the symptoms.
Now that you already know that it’s not an illness, you can correct others to prevent misconceptions and misinterpretations.
You’ll never know if one of the people close to you is just denying the fact they are struggling with such and you can help them by explaining it.
Myth 2: Antidepressant is the remedy for depression
Antidepressant is prescribed medication by doctors for depressed people. Although this is one of the ways that can support the patient, it’s not always the remedy to get through with this condition.
These kinds of drugs aid the person’s brain neurotransmitter which is responsible for emotions and mood. By taking this drug, it’ll alleviate the symptoms of depression that you are experiencing.
Other people with depression may not feel the effects of antidepressants which is why it’s not always enough to cure this disorder.
Doctors will recommend several types of therapy based on the condition of their patients. Antidepressants with therapy are a good fusion to treat this mental illness.
Myth 3: Depression is a choice
It’s painful if someone will say that you can easily get away with depression if you choose not to drown yourself with sadness.
This misconception has been going around to a wide population which invalidates the feeling of the depressed person.
Instead of encouraging them, they will isolate themselves from you and it adds up to their negative thoughts.
Depression cannot be cured by thinking of positive things but it can be prevented in the early stages. Once you are in the condition, you can’t change your behavior immediately as others might tell you.
Another thing about this is the idea that a person just shows they are weak. It’s one of the biggest common misinterpretations that you can hear.
Only a specialist or a doctor can fully provide you with an in-depth explanation of depression. You should focus more on the symptoms ahead of time.
Myth 4: A person is just sad
We all feel sadness but the levels are different. This is caused by a great event that happened to our lives. It may be losing someone, break-ups, and more.
These factors make a person unhappy but it’s not always the reason it leads to depression.
Depression is characterized by episodes that an individual feels worthless, sadness, and other symptoms.
A lot of depressed people have suicidal thoughts which are very dangerous which is why this condition is not just sadness or a bad situation.
Myth 5: Depression is hereditary
Some websites say that depression can be passed from their parents to them but also, other experts cannot exactly determine if it is possible. Although there are chances it may happen, it doesn’t mean that you have it right now if your parents experienced it.
The first thing that you need to watch out for is the signs of depression. It’s good to know something about your family’s information but don’t use it as a reason for what you are dealing with.
There are always underlying problems with why it’s triggered. Prevent yourself from the addiction to alcohol or it will worsen your condition. Always ask the help of a professional.
Myth 6: Antidepressants alter a person’s personality
Antidepressants are medications that can improve your mood. Others may think it’s dangerous as it can completely ruin your mind and change your personality. This idea is another misconception about this drug.
As we mentioned, it aims to improve a person’s mood which means that it’s purposely made to treat the condition.
This is like taking medicines to treat your flu or fever and you will feel exactly normal after you recover from it. Some people, on the other hand, may feel different from the expected effects of depressants.
If you are on medication for this, you should ask your doctor about it.
Myth 7: Depression is only for women
Another mistake that people seem to believe is that depression only hits women. A lot of men are known to refuse to tell what they feel instead they chose to be quiet.
Others misinterpret this and think that men are unaffected by depression. They are more vulnerable to committing suicide since they are hiding the symptoms.
Depression doesn’t choose gender but may affect mostly one of it. The only problem of this situation is the lack of understanding to many. No matter if you are a man or a woman and you have the symptoms, proceed to ask for help immediately.
Myth 8: Depressed people will live with antidepressants
Depression will not leave immediately and antidepressants will support the person for a long time. Although we can’t predict when exactly an individual can be treated with their conditions, it doesn’t mean they will forever be stuck taking these drugs.
Apart from antidepressants, doctors will also recommend you for therapy sessions. After all, your doctor will always be the first one to know your condition.
Myth 9: Depression escalates if a person talk more about their condition
Doctors recommend talking therapy which involves communicating and conversing. It means that discussing the condition will not worsen but it can help the person.
Before you decide to open up with your feelings and thoughts, make sure to choose people that can understand, are reliable, sympathize, and won’t judge you.
Others may have a hard time acknowledging this so you must also be careful in picking who you are going to talk to.
Conclusion
Certain information you might have heard from other people can change the perception and belief of others about depression. You can help by educating them so they are aware of the causes and misconceptions about this condition.
They might not notice they already have the symptoms but they are in denial and chose to be quiet. With such, you can help by telling them facts about it and they might reach out to you.
If you are experiencing depression right now, know that myths many people believe can be fictional and a professional can only determine your mental state.
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