7 Myths About Depression You Didn’t Know

Depression is a disease that affects many more and more people in the world. Despite the fact that depression is a fairly common disease in the modern world, there are still certain myths about depression that should be dispelled.

Depression requires a lot of human lives. Suicide rates have risen, especially due to the financial crisis, the poor economic situation of society and individual families, and unemployment.

Depression is often considered a state of accident. Today we discuss seven myths related to depression. These myths are deeply rooted in our society; so deep that we may not even be aware of them.

1. Depression is the same as sadness

This first myth of depression is usually spoken of as if it were general knowledge. When we say that someone is suffering from depression, we immediately think that person is really sad. But this may not be the case.

We always feel grief in certain situations, but there is a whole world between grief and depression. Sadness is transient, temporary. Sooner or later, our feelings will change. 

But when it comes to depression, it’s about something completely different. It’s not about something that passes by, it’s about something permanent, and there are many other things involved:  apathy, emptiness, pain… Depression doesn’t come alone, it is accompanied by many other negative feelings that get into the world of a person suffering from depression turn gray and lonely.

2. If I suffer from depression, I am weak

Just because a person suffers from depression does not mean that he or she is weak. When this disease affects them, others may see them as incapable of facing adversity, incapable of meeting the challenges of life. Depression is a psychological problem that can turn a person’s life upside down. Depression has psychological, biological and social effects.

But nonetheless, suffering from depression does not indicate weakness. Depression is not a choice! A depressed person does not have a weak mind. This myth causes many people with depression to isolate themselves and suffer their pain in silence,  which in turn increases that suffering.

3. Depression does not affect children or adolescents

Why would depression not affect children? Well, it actually works. Children and young people experience a wealth of problems  both at home and outside the home. Fragmented families, bullying at school, lack of acceptance, lack of understanding of life… All this can cause depression in both children and young people.

The degree to which depression affects children and young people is not yet fully understood. For example, it is not yet known whether children and adolescents are able to feel depression to the same degree and intensity as adults. But we know that a young person who takes his own life is not the first to do so, and not so simply because of any momentary grief, but rather because of the extremely severe phase of depression.

4. Depression disappears over time

The fourth of these myths is that depression supposedly disappears over time. Depression is not something that goes past that just. It is not something that can be lost during the night. It stays and lasts. It’s really painful and unbearable, so that sometimes it can even lead to suicide.

Depression requires professional help. Without the help of professionals, depression is extremely difficult to get over.

Depression is not just any disease. Depression is s rowing  that destroys a person, a person’s strengths, hopes, and desire to live. Time does not cure everything. Time does not cure depression. Ignoring it will not make it go away.

5. This disease is just in your head

Depression, far from what is a common belief, not only affects the mind but also affects the body. Insomnia, fatigue, chronic muscle aches and pain, and headache. These are just some of the potential somatic symptoms. This is one of the most serious myths and misconceptions about depression. The belief that depression only exists inside the head is a serious mistake. Depression reaches beyond the mind.

6. Men do not suffer from depression

Perhaps the most ingrained myth is that depression does not affect men. But there is no basis for this myth at all. Depression affects both men and women equally. This disease is no more common, let alone experienced by women. This myth also refers to the weakness we mentioned above.

Statistically, women suffer from depression more than men, but that doesn’t mean men don’t suffer from depression at all. In fact, depression in men is much more dangerous. Men tend to hide depression more effectively. In most cases, men’s depression is only discovered too late, when it is too late to save her anymore.

7. Talking about depression makes it worse

One of the most widespread myths is that talking about depression makes it worse for its sufferer. If we see depression as a taboo subject for discussion, then of course we try to avoid mentioning it. But it is important to remember that a person with depression needs to talk about it.

For this reason, psychologists have a significant role to play. This is especially important if the family or friends of the depressed person avoid the subject. It can be something that feels shameful, something that shouldn’t happen. It may seem like talking about it could make it worse. But this could not be further from the truth. Showing interest in a depressed person will allow you to support them and better understand their enigmatic and unspoken behavior.

Do you know any myths about depression that we haven’t listed here? If you know, share them with us. Now is the time to bury all the lies that we believe to be true when it comes to this common but misunderstood disease.

Photos by Louise Robinson