Misconceptions: Depression
13:27
Today I have decided to follow up from the other misconceptions posts I have previously posted and this week I will be discussing some misconceptions of depression. Due to some of these misconceptions people who suffer from depression can sometimes feel ashamed to seek help so it is important that we educate ourselves on mental illnesses so that we can remove the stigma surrounding them and the people living with them.
Misconception number 1- "Anti depressants always cure depression."
Anti depressants can help people in recovery however its not just as simple as taking a pill and magically feeling better. Anti depressants can take a while to build up in your system before they start to work. Some people can also find therapy a better help for their depression as they get to express their feelings and learn new techniques to help them throughout their life.
Misconception number 2- "The sufferer must have gone through trauma."
Often people with depression have gone through a traumatic event in their life which could have triggered their depression, however trauma is not the only thing that leads to depression. Different things affect different people.
Misconception number 3- " Depressions an emotion not an illness."
A lot of people seem to see depression as just another term to express sadness. This is not true. A lot of the time people with depression will lose enthusiasm for things they used to love doing, they'll withdraw from activities and can often feel worthless. They're is so many more symptoms to depression than just feeling sad.
Misconception number 4- " You can't be depressed if you don't self harm."
Some people don't feel like they can be diagnosed if they don't have an impulse to self harm. This is absolutely incorrect! If you are questioning if you have depression regardless of if you have self harmed or not it is important you talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Misconception number 5- "Only women get depressed."
Yes women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, but that doesn't mean men don't suffer too. Women are seen to be more emotional than men and men are often told to "man up." which is ridiculous and because of this they may feel more ashamed to speak up about it and they avoid treatment.
Misconception number 6- "Depression only affects adults."
Some studies have shown that it is more likely you can get depression as an adult, although these days with children and teenagers having access to the internet it is easy to compare themselves to those they see online and can therefore lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Bullying is a huge cause of depression too and bullying happens in most schools (unfortunately). So depression is affecting more and more young people.
Misconception number 7- "It is something to be ashamed of."
Because of the stigma attached to mental illness it isn't talked about enough. Depression is not something to feel ashamed about. Its an illness. It needs to be discussed so that it can save lives of people suffering in silence. Please don't feel like you have to keep it quiet due to what other people may have to say about it. You deserve to seek help for recovery.
Misconception number 8- "Depression is hereditary."
If your parents have had depression then it can increase the likelihood (only by a little) that you could also be diagnosed with depression. A lot of people can confuse this as if you have seen the symptoms in somebody close to you and then see them in yourself you are probably more likely to go to a doctor and be diagnosed than somebody who doesn't understand their symptoms.
Misconception number 1- "Anti depressants always cure depression."
Anti depressants can help people in recovery however its not just as simple as taking a pill and magically feeling better. Anti depressants can take a while to build up in your system before they start to work. Some people can also find therapy a better help for their depression as they get to express their feelings and learn new techniques to help them throughout their life.
Misconception number 2- "The sufferer must have gone through trauma."
Often people with depression have gone through a traumatic event in their life which could have triggered their depression, however trauma is not the only thing that leads to depression. Different things affect different people.
Misconception number 3- " Depressions an emotion not an illness."
A lot of people seem to see depression as just another term to express sadness. This is not true. A lot of the time people with depression will lose enthusiasm for things they used to love doing, they'll withdraw from activities and can often feel worthless. They're is so many more symptoms to depression than just feeling sad.
Misconception number 4- " You can't be depressed if you don't self harm."
Some people don't feel like they can be diagnosed if they don't have an impulse to self harm. This is absolutely incorrect! If you are questioning if you have depression regardless of if you have self harmed or not it is important you talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Misconception number 5- "Only women get depressed."
Yes women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, but that doesn't mean men don't suffer too. Women are seen to be more emotional than men and men are often told to "man up." which is ridiculous and because of this they may feel more ashamed to speak up about it and they avoid treatment.
Misconception number 6- "Depression only affects adults."
Some studies have shown that it is more likely you can get depression as an adult, although these days with children and teenagers having access to the internet it is easy to compare themselves to those they see online and can therefore lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Bullying is a huge cause of depression too and bullying happens in most schools (unfortunately). So depression is affecting more and more young people.
Misconception number 7- "It is something to be ashamed of."
Because of the stigma attached to mental illness it isn't talked about enough. Depression is not something to feel ashamed about. Its an illness. It needs to be discussed so that it can save lives of people suffering in silence. Please don't feel like you have to keep it quiet due to what other people may have to say about it. You deserve to seek help for recovery.
Misconception number 8- "Depression is hereditary."
If your parents have had depression then it can increase the likelihood (only by a little) that you could also be diagnosed with depression. A lot of people can confuse this as if you have seen the symptoms in somebody close to you and then see them in yourself you are probably more likely to go to a doctor and be diagnosed than somebody who doesn't understand their symptoms.
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