FALSE: "Depression is not a medical illness".
Depression is a medical illness. Depression is a very serious illness that affects both the body and the person's thoughts and feelings.
It requires treatment. Depression has genetic and biological causes. Therefore, not everyone who has experienced a serious event will develop this illness. It is recognized that there is a biological predisposition that can cause depression. There are some characteristics that indicate a biological predisposition. Most people with depression have higher levels of stress hormones than other people. Some special imaging studies show decreased activity in some areas of the brain.
FALSE: "Depression does not get better."
The good response rate to treatment for depression is more than 80%. With the discovery of new treatment methods, even the most resistant depressions can be cured. People who do not improve sufficiently with treatment usually do not receive the right dosage, duration and type of treatment. Another reason other than these conditions is the presence of another underlying disease. Some disorders such as goiter, thyroid gland diseases such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies can manifest themselves as depression. Of course, these diseases also need to be treated.
FALSE: "Depression is a normal part of life."
Everyone experiences sadness and unhappiness in life. It is normal to feel unhappy, especially after a disaster. But depression is not ordinary sadness. The level of sadness and apathy is much higher than the event itself. There are other accompanying symptoms. The symptoms prevent the person from going about his or her daily life. Unlike momentary discomfort, it lasts for at least two weeks continuously.
FALSE: "Depression can be overcome by willpower."
Depression is a disease of the body, just like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. It is a disease of the functioning of the brain and, like other diseases, depression can be treated effectively. However, it is very important to believe in the treatment and to strive to get better.
FALSE: "Depression is a weakness."
Depression is more common in people with certain personality traits, but these are traits that represent responsibility rather than weakness. For example, thinking of others, being responsible, being meticulous, feeling guilty easily. Just as it is not possible to generalize that asthmatics are weak people, similar generalizations cannot be made about a medical illness such as depression. It is known that very powerful people in history have suffered from depression. Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Beethoven are just a few examples.
FALSE: "Depression gets better on its own."
Sometimes depression can get better without treatment. However, this possibility is very small. Depression that improves spontaneously without treatment is likely to recur within a few years. After each recurrence, the response to treatment becomes more difficult. Depression can also be suicidal, so expecting it to get better on its own is taking a serious risk.
FALSE: "One does not get depressed."
Depression is twice as common in women. However, one in ten men will experience depression at some point in their lives. This is a figure that cannot be underestimated. Moreover, depression in men carries a higher risk of suicide. Men often avoid seeking help and treatment for their symptoms.
For more detailed information about depression, please visit our article; Overcoming Depression and Embracing the Joys of Life
