“DEPRESSION ISN’T A REAL ILLNESS.”
While depression can be seen by people as a simple sadness or even a weakness of personality, depression is a complicated mental health condition with social, psychological, and biological roots.
“ANTIDEPRESSANTS ALWAYS CURE DEPRESSION.”
Although some individuals may be prescribed antidepressant medications to help them, antidepressants alone are not enough in many situations. It has been demonstrated that therapy may work even better than antidepressants. (Segal, et al., 2001)
“YOU CAN SIMPLY ‘SNAP OUT OF IT.”
Does anyone choose to be depressed? It is not as simple as allowing yourself to wallow in your pain or sadness. Depression is not a sign of self-pity, fragility, or laziness. It is a health condition in which your brain chemistry, function and structure are negatively influenced by environmental or genetic factors.
“IT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF A SAD SITUATION.”
Is depression always caused by a negative situation? No, depression can cause inexplicable phases of despair, sorrow and fatigue. You may also feel suicidal tendencies. These tendencies can last a day, weeks or months. They may occur unexpectedly and bizarrely, even when your life seems to be going well.
“IF YOUR PARENTS HAVE DEPRESSION, SO WILL YOU.”
Experts are not sure how important genes are in deciding your likelihood of suffering depression. Just because your relatives have suffered from depression does not mean that you will too.
“ANTIDEPRESSANTS WILL CHANGE YOUR PERSONALITY.”
Antidepressants change your brain chemistry. They are intended to change only certain chemicals in your brain. They may help you with your symptoms of depression without modifying your personality. After taking them, many people with depression begin to feel like themselves again.
“YOU’LL HAVE TO BE ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOREVER.”
Antidepressants provide a long-term treatment option for some people with depression. But the extent of time that you are recommended to take them can vary based on the severity of your condition and your prescribed treatment plan.
“DEPRESSION ONLY AFFECTS WOMEN.”
Due to social pressures, many men are not comfortable or used to talking about their feelings or asking for help. Therefore, some people wrongly consider depression as an illness that only affects women.
That is basically false. Actually, men are more likely to commit suicide than women. That´s why it is so important to get help.
“TALKING ABOUT IT ONLY MAKES THINGS WORSE.”
It is a common mistaken belief that talking about depression just strengthens negative feelings and keeps you focused on negative experiences in life. In fact, for many individuals, being alone with their thoughts is much more harmful than talking about them. It may help to talk to a therapist to provide the support you need.