Beyond the Gloom
and Over the Myths

Next to anxiety, depression is America’s most prevalent emotional health condition, affecting young and old, men and women. It is one of the most studied emotional conditions, and professional help is widely available. Nevertheless, there remain a significant number of people with depression who are undiagnosed and untreated. Why?

If there is one good thing that studying and openly discussing depression has done for this generation, it is that more and more people are being educated about it. There are, however, still some misconceptions that are preventing many people from seeking professional help.

Healthline identifies nine depression myths. Some of the most notable ones that have been highlighted in numerous publications include:

MYTH: Depression is the same as sadness.

FACT: Depression goes beyond gloom or sadness.

Of course sadness is the most notable symptom of depression, but they are not the same. Sadness is just a passing feeling, which is normal when there is an upsetting life occurrence. Depression, on the other hand, is chronic, persistent, and overwhelming, and it can make you feel hopeless, helpless, and empty.

MYTH: Depression isn’t a real medical condition.

FACT: Depression is a real emotional condition.

The symptoms are not easy to recognize, especially in children and adolescents, but it is a real condition. It has biological or physiological origins—imbalances in the chemical neurotransmitters and hormones. It is complex; aside from these physiological roots, it can also be triggered by emotional and environmental factors. Depression is not normal. As a condition, it has to be treated. The good news is that it is treatable.

MYTH: Antidepressants are the answer to depression.

FACT: Antidepressants are just one treatment option for depression.

Antidepressants can be used as a treatment option, but they are not the only choice you have. The first option is still therapy. Antidepressants should be resorted to when the symptoms are severe, but still usually in combination with therapy. Know that simply popping a pill isn’t enough to make the symptoms dissipate.

MYTH: Taking antidepressants is for life.

FACT: Taking antidepressants can be augmented and even cut short with therapy.

If antidepressants have been prescribed in your case, combining them with psychotherapy can help tremendously. You may not need to take meds for the rest of your life. Antidepressants are not “silver bullets” that will permanently resolve your issues, but they can be a short-term or long-term solution combined with psychotherapy.

MYTH: Anyone can “snap out of it”!

FACT: You can’t just “snap out of” depression; it needs treatment.

The phrase “snap out of it” implies that it is something within your control or that weakness/laziness made you succumb to depression. Nobody wants to be depressed. It doesn’t happen because you are weak or lazy. It is a condition that happened because an environmental or biological factor changed the balance in your hormones and/or neurotransmitters. As a condition, it requires treatment. Thus, you can’t just snap out of it or its dreadful symptoms. You need a professional to help you free yourself from its grip.

MYTH: Depression happens because of a sad life event.

FACT: Depression can be triggered by an unfortunate or depressing life event.

It is normal to feel pain, grief, and sadness when you have experienced a dreadful loss or a disappointment. These events can’t cause depression, but they can contribute to or trigger depression. Not everyone who goes through a distressing experience will develop depression. Again, it is a health condition that can often be traced to a chemical imbalance, a genetic predisposition, and/or many short and long term contributing factors.

MYTH: If it’s in your blood/genes, you’ll get it too.

FACT: The genetic predisposition can increase the risk for depression, but it doesn’t always result in depression.

It is true that genetic predisposition, or having it in “your blood,” makes you vulnerable to depression. This means you have a higher risk for it, but this does not mean you will inherit the condition or suffer from it. While the predisposition can increase your susceptibility, there are environmental factors that may modify the genetic expression. Therapy can be a strong deterrent to that expression.

MYTH: Depression only affects women.

FACT: Anybody can develop depression.

Studies have revealed that women are at a higher risk for depression than men. That doesn’t mean, however, that men can’t be depressed or that only weak men succumb to it. While men may be less vulnerable to this emotional condition, those who develop it are more likely to keep it to themselves and not seek help. The cultural pressure can make them ignore the symptoms, thinking it will make them less reliable or weak. Depression can affect even young children and the elderly. Recognition of symptoms is critical for prompt assessment and treatment.

MYTH: Talking about it makes depression worse.

FACT: Talk therapy is one of the best ways to manage the symptoms of depression.

In the past, people didn’t talk about depression because of shame or because they believed it would reinforce negative thoughts and feelings. However, being left alone with your negative, hopeless thoughts can be more destructive. Talking about your feelings, particularly with an experienced, nonjudgmental therapist, can be very productive, whether it is for handling minor daily stress or major depression. Talk therapy can be very useful in sorting out your issues.

These myths can stand in the way of getting treatment for your depression. Without treatment, you will suffer its dreadful symptoms and far-reaching effects. If you see depressive symptoms in yourself or a loved one, call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville (West), NC Office. Depression can get worse when you delay diagnosis and treatment. What you need is professional help, and the best thing you can do to seek help ASAP is to call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville (West), NC Office.

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