Breaking the Seven Myths about Depression
We all have these moments of highs and lows, like being upset when you lose your job or the guy you have been dating for three years broke up with you. We fall down yet we find a way to keep ourselves moving forward. But if the dreadful feeling lasts for more than two weeks and you suddenly notice you’re not getting any better, you might be going through depression.
Depression is a big word. It is a common yet serious mood disorder that affects a person’s thinking process which reflects how he handles daily routines like eating, socializing, working, and sleeping. In fact, it carries a high risk of self-destruction or suicide. Depression can happen to anyone, even to children and adolescents.
Though it’s a “common” disorder, there are a lot of misconceptions about depression. Before helping someone or yourself out, you should first break some false beliefs to draw a line between depression and everyday ups and downs.
Bad break-up, job loss, traumatic experience and death of a loved one trigger depression. However, the truth is everyone, no matter how perfect your life seems to be, may experience the same condition and “episodes” unexpectedly.
Heredity is one of the risk factors. You have a greater chance of having the illness if your parents or grandparents had them. Studies also show that depressive thinking, whether the source is related by blood or not, may be contagious. A person who picked the same style of thinking from someone depressed whom they interact with often may be at risk of developing depressive symptoms.
Just bear in mind that depressed people tend to be too sensitive and a single, careless remark may harm their feelings and trigger episodes. There are times when the person prefers to be alone and untouched. It is really difficult to understand the person, but it’s even harder for the person to understand himself. Aside from deep understanding and compassion, the condition still requires some professional help and medical assistance.
Depression is a big word. It is a common yet serious mood disorder that affects a person’s thinking process which reflects how he handles daily routines like eating, socializing, working, and sleeping. In fact, it carries a high risk of self-destruction or suicide. Depression can happen to anyone, even to children and adolescents.Though it’s a “common” disorder, there are a lot of misconceptions about depression. Before helping someone or yourself out, you should first break some false beliefs to draw a line between depression and everyday ups and downs.
“It is normal to be depressed”
Depression is not a kind of mood or an emotion but an illness. When we talk about depression, we talk about something more serious than being sad. As a matter of fact, sadness can be viewed as one of the symptoms of depression, along with intense feelings of fear, anxiety, worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness. When you have these all at the same time for two weeks or more, the condition may be interpreted as depression.“You can simply snap out of it”
Depression, just like other physical illnesses, is not a choice. Telling a depressed person to “stop being depressed” is like telling a person stuck in ice-cold water to stop shivering. When you’re depressed, you’re emotionally, socially, and spiritually impaired, and the system that allows you to think rationally is impaired as well. You lack concentration. You get alienated from the world. Your emotions are out of sync. You feel nothing.“Depression is a just result of a sad event”
Bad break-up, job loss, traumatic experience and death of a loved one trigger depression. However, the truth is everyone, no matter how perfect your life seems to be, may experience the same condition and “episodes” unexpectedly.
Heredity is one of the risk factors. You have a greater chance of having the illness if your parents or grandparents had them. Studies also show that depressive thinking, whether the source is related by blood or not, may be contagious. A person who picked the same style of thinking from someone depressed whom they interact with often may be at risk of developing depressive symptoms.
“Depression only affects women”
Studies show that women suffer depression twice as much as men, but these do not justify that men are more invulnerable with regards to depression. In fact, men are proven to have higher suicide rates compared to women. Men’s symptoms of depression are harder for others to recognize compared to women. The reinforcement of traditional male gender roles discourages men from displaying signs of weakness, suicidal feelings, and expressing their need for help.“Only weak people get depressed”
Depression is not a sign or even a side effects of weakness. Even if you’re a tough man with a heart of steel or a cheerful lad who has no obvious reasons to be depressed, you can never say you’re “immune” from the condition. Maybe you’re hiding behind those masks to conceal it. Or perhaps you’re not aware that those overwhelming and scattered thoughts and unstable emotions are already signs of depression.“The best thing to do is to leave him alone”
It’s a common misconception that avoiding the discussion of depression and simply leaving the person alone may help cure depression. Being alone with your thoughts often and making yourself distant from people may sound more harmful. Friends who will talk less and listen more may help you succeed in your battle.Just bear in mind that depressed people tend to be too sensitive and a single, careless remark may harm their feelings and trigger episodes. There are times when the person prefers to be alone and untouched. It is really difficult to understand the person, but it’s even harder for the person to understand himself. Aside from deep understanding and compassion, the condition still requires some professional help and medical assistance.
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