It is estimated that over 15.7 million adults in the United States alone suffer from some form of depression in their lives. Many Americans have also always been told that depression was nothing but a state of mind and they needed to pull themselves together and get on with their lives.
While depression can be treated with a variety of methods, such as cannabis in Mexico and Switzerland, here in the United States it’s not as widely used or legal. One problem with depression is that it’s surrounded by many myths that make it hard for sufferers to get the help they need. These myths need to be debunked. Read on below for a few of those myths to be revealed.
Myth 1: Depression Comes From a Lack of Willpower
One of the biggest and worst myths surrounding depression is that it comes from having no willpower. People who say you need to shake off your depression or just get over it have clearly never been depressed at all. In reality, some of the strongest people in history have suffered from depression, including Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Depression is not something that you can simply shake off and it has nothing to do with not having any willpower. Never listen to the negative that people who have never suffered from depression try to hand you.
Remember, if you’re feeling more depressed than usual or having thoughts that you shouldn’t be having, it’s best to contact and see a therapist. Ask how much is a therapy session and then go from there.
Myth 2: Depression has to Be Triggered by Something
Another common myth is that depression always has to be triggered by something that’s going on in your life. While specific incidents and events in your life can certainly trigger depression, it’s an entity of its own, and if you suffer from severe depression there doesn’t have to be a reason for an episode to be triggered. If you feel that you’re suffering from depression but just aren’t sure, here is a list of symptoms to look for.
- Lethargy
- A lack of concentration
- You’re finding it hard to eat
- Insomnia
- Suicidal thoughts
Symptoms of depression don’t have to be so cut and dried, so if you feel suicidal or have the above symptoms, please get help somewhere before it’s too late. There are plenty of doctors and support groups that will help you, including family and friends, so that you don’t have to be alone.
Myth 3: Depression Is a Fake Illness
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding depression is that it’s a fake illness that is perpetrated by lazy people who are looking for attention or trying to get out of work. It’s true that depression isn’t like other illnesses such as diabetes that can be checked for with a blood test, but it is no less of a real illness. It’s an illness that can have very real and often deadly consequences for the person who is suffering from the condition. There’s research that shows that depression can be for physical reasons as well, but there isn’t much known about that yet.
When to See a Doctor
As with any illness, there are varying degrees of depression that people suffer from. Everyone gets depressed at some point in their lives, but those who suffer from severe depression can find themselves completely shutting down and avoiding the people they love in their life. If you feel suicidal or that you just can’t go on, then it’s beyond time to seek the help of a trained professional.
These are just a few of the myths surrounding depression that need to be dispelled. If you feel that your depression is severe, please contact your doctor for help right away.
