Myths about Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, has affected approximately 57 million people in our country. This is equal to 18 % of the people affected by depression across the globe, according to WHO.
Recently, a lot of celebrities have opened about their mental health struggles and have shared ups and downs of their journey. And this has encouraged common people to come out and talk about the issues they are facing.
But still, a lot of myths prevail about the illness.

Everyone suffers through depression at some or the other point in life

A lot of people, still, take depression as a normal situation, whereas it is a proper clinical disorder. They often compare it with sadness or circumstantial stress, which is not the case. A lot of studies show that depression is not only the disproportion of the chemicals in our brain, but it also has other components like hormonal imbalances, shrinking and inappropriate wiring of brain cells, etc.

Only trauma causes depression

Certain awful and excruciating events often cause depression. A breakup or a divorce, loss of job, death of a loved one may leave you sad and empty for some time, but anything more than two weeks needs to be checked with a professional. You may require medication or counselling or a combination of two to improve your mental health. A depressed person often loses interest in daily life activities, there is the decrease in self-esteem and an increase in the feeling of worthlessness. In situations of post-partum depression or high functioning depression, there is no negative or traumatic event around the victim.

Depression is genetic

There are studies that show that there are chances that if your parents had a history of depression you are more likely to get it. But the significance of the same hasn’t yet been proved. You can always concentrate on the factors that you can manage, instead of worrying.

Pills will solve the problem

Depression does not get cured in a day. It’s not as simple as popping a pill one day and the next day life would turn into rainbow and butterflies. It takes a few weeks before the antidepressant starts showing its effect. Moreover, it totally depends on the professional if he feels the need to prescribe the medicine or not. There are people who opt for psychotherapies to deal with depression. Also, a combination of medicine and psychotherapy is considered to be most effective, when it comes to curing depression.

Exercise and a good diet will cure depression

Surely, a good diet and a regular workout session are beneficial for a good mental health. But believing that including a balanced nutrition diet and a 30 minutes running could cure depression is false.

Medications continue throughout life

A treatment for depression varies from person to person. First of all, not every person going through depression needs medicine. Secondly, it totally depends on your customized treatment plan, that for how long you need to consume the pills.

A depressed person is always negative

When people think about a depressed person, they imagine a person totally confused and crying. They could never imagine a person with favourable situations in life, who looks organized and in control of emotions could be going through depression. Dysthymia or as we know it high functioning depression is a situation where a person could have a great career, perfect relationship and posts happy Instagram pictures and could be the most popular amongst friends. This is a kind of persistent situation which could later lead to major depression if remain untreated.

Talking about depression still continues to be a stigma in our society. Just like any other illness, this can also be cured if sought help at the right time. Talk about your mental health and encourage people around you to talk about theirs.

Do you think you or anyone you know is depressed? Do you need help for the same? Get in touch with us!

Call us at +91-9069069069 for 15 minutes of free counselling.