Depression is a prevalent mental health condition affecting around 280 million people globally, characterized by persistent sadness and functional impairment. Numerous myths surrounding depression, such as it being a sign of weakness or affecting only women, contribute to stigma and hinder individuals from seeking treatment. Recognizing symptoms and understanding the importance of professional help are crucial for effective management and recovery from depression.

1. Depression Overview
Myths & Facts About
Depression
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a
major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. - WHO
Lisa John
9/30/2021

2. Overview
Depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including
5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years (1). Approximately 280 million people in
the word have depression (1). Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived
emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when recurrent and with moderate or
severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to
suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead
to suicide. Over 700 000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of
death in 15-29-year-olds.
1.0 Introduction
There are many misconceptions and myths about depression that can deter people from seeking
treatment. Read on to find out the real facts about depression.
There is a high prevalence of depression in the United States and around the world. About 300 million
individuals around the world experience depression and estimates suggest that about 15% of the adult
population will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. There are many myths about
depression that exist today, despite the fact that depression facts and statistics are readily available.
It is important to distinguish between myths and facts about depression, as common myths about
depression tend to increase stigma and prejudice surrounding the mental health disorder. This stigma
may prevent some individuals from seeking treatment for their symptoms of depression. The only way
to address this problem is to combat depression myths with facts and increase general understanding of
the condition.
2.0 Symptoms of Depression
Depression can be mild to severe, based on the symptoms of a person. In some cases, depression can
make someone feel completely incapable to work in major areas of his life and develops the feelings of
despair and vulnerability.
Depression, lasting undiagnosed, can affect a person for a very long time, as the symptoms are not
recognizable easily in the person. Signs and symptoms may also vary as per the age, temperament and
reoccurrence of incidences. It is essential to understand one may notice a few of the symptoms on
different occasions but it essentially doesn’t mean they have depressed. In the same way, not every
individual experiences depression or symptoms of depression.
To clinically get diagnosed, two to three symptoms should be preset in an individual for at least two
weeks. These are some common symptoms that a depressed person may experience.
Physical Symptoms:
 Significant change in Body Weight
 Sleep Disorders
 Churning gut
 Unexplainable body aches

3.  Chronic fatigue or feeling tired all time
 Loss of appetite and weakness
Different Thoughts that comes to a depressed person’s mind:
· Self-criticism or felling worthlessness.
· Accusing the people around.
· Existential Crisis - Life has no meaning
· Lack of concentration and memory loss
· Self-harming habits or thoughts of suicide
· Feeling demotivated
· Feelings of hopelessness
· Negative thinking
Behaviour that indicate Depression:
· Isolation
· Crying on small issues
· Social Withdrawal
· Lack of focus and interest in daily life activities
· Depending on sedatives and alcohol
· Psychomotor disorders- slow movements and agitations
Emotions that indicate Depression:
Mood swings
Persistent Sadness
Feeling guilty without any reason

4. Feeling overwhelmed all time
Constant irritability
3.0 12 Common Myths About Depression
1) Myth: Depression isn’t a real illness
Fact: Depression is an actual illness with very real symptoms and impact.
Depression is not just a temporary bout of sadness, but an actual mental illness. Myths stating that
depression is not a real illness contend that depression is just a simple case of the blues. However,
depression is a multifaceted condition that is caused by a combination of biological, environmental and
social factors. Depression is a mood disorder that impacts a person’s thoughts, emotions and actions.
Depression causes a significant amount of distress and impairment in an individual’s day-to-day
functioning, leading to a considerable amount of emotional, social, academic and occupational
difficulties. Depression may require long-term treatment and is not always easy to overcome.
2) Myth: Depression only affects women
Fact: Depression impacts both sexes.
The misconception that depression only affects women suggests that depression in men is non-existent,
which is untrue. Men may not be as likely to admit or report it due to social pressures. Social and
cultural norms make it difficult for men to show vulnerability, discuss their feelings or reach out for help.
Some men fear that admitting depression will make them appear weak or less masculine. Thus, men are
not as likely to identify their symptoms, discuss their struggles or access treatment.

5. Depression in men also presents differently, as men tend to display angry, irritable and aggressive
symptoms. Men are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors and can potentially go on to develop
substance use disorders. These factors can make it challenging to diagnose depression in men. More
than 6 million men in America experience depression each year. Depression can have significant
consequences for men, as they are more likely to commit suicide than women. The suicide rate among
men is nearly four times higher than the rate for females.
3) Myth: Depression and sadness are the same
Fact: There are important distinctions between depression and sadness.
When comparing depression vs. sadness, it is important to take into account duration and resolution of
symptoms. Feelings of sadness do not last as long as a depressive episode, which can potentially persist
for weeks, months or even years. Feelings of sadness tend to resolve on their own, especially with the
passage of time and support of family and friends, while depression does not go away on its own.
Individuals who are sad only experience feelings of sadness, while those with depression tend to
experience several other emotions, including anxiety, emptiness and hopelessness.
4) Myth: If your parents have depression, you will too
Fact: Not everyone with a family history of depression develops the condition.
While it is true that depression has a genetic component, it does not necessarily mean that children are
destined to develop and experience depression like their parents. Yes, depression is genetic, but
heredity appears to impact a person’s risk and susceptibility more than the actual development of the
condition.
While it is practical to be aware of family history, it is not sensible to dwell on it. Focusing on factors that
lower the risk of depression, such as avoiding substance use and practicing self-care, is a better use of
time and energy.

6. 5) Myth: Antidepressants will change your personality
Fact: Antidepressants target brain chemicals that have no impact on personality.
While antidepressants do impact the chemicals in a person’s brain, they have no impact on personality.
Antidepressants target specific chemicals linked to depression and do not alter the brain chemistry that
is linked to personality. In fact, many people who take antidepressants report the medication helps
them feel more like themselves.
6) Myth: You’ll need medication the rest of your life
Fact: Although antidepressants can be used long-term, they do not need to be taken for the rest of
your life.
While antidepressants are often used in long-term depression treatment, these medications do not
always need to be taken for the rest of a person’s life. There are many depression treatment options
that vary depending on the severity of a person’s depression. The length of time a person is prescribed
antidepressants is dependent on their individualized treatment plan and the acuteness of their
depression.
In conjunction with medication, psychotherapy may be prescribed as another course of treatment for
depression. Therapy can educate and help equip a person with coping mechanisms to manage
depressive symptoms. Acquiring new coping skills may potentially lessen the need for medication.
However, in other instances, taking antidepressants in conjunction with therapy may be clinically
recommended. Either way, there is no evidence to support the claim that you will need medication for
the rest of your life.

7. 7) Myth: Talking about depression makes it worse
Fact: Talking about depression can help lessen symptoms.
Talking about depression is encouraged to help a person to overcome symptoms. People who suffer
from depression can feel like a burden to others, and silence often perpetuates the negative stigma of
mental health conditions. Talking about depression with friends, family members, or mental health
practitioners can help people struggling with depression feel they are not alone.
8) Myth: Depression is only brought on by a traumatic event
Fact: While depression can be brought on by a traumatic event, it usually results from other causes.
The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of biological, genetic
and environmental factors. While traumatic events can trigger depression, they are not the only risk
factors. Depression can also occur without cause, even when things seem to be going well in a person’s
life. If a traumatic event occurs to someone already dealing with depression, it will likely intensify their
symptoms.
9) Myth: Depression will go away on its own
Fact: Symptoms of depression rarely improve without professional treatment.
Treatment is necessary in order to address symptoms of depression. It is very rare that depression will
go away on its own without intervention. Without obtaining treatment, depression can persist for
months or even years, or can potentially lead to self-harming behaviors or suicide.

8. Depression treatments are effective and allow a person to return to their normal daily functioning. It can
also teach people valuable coping skills to help them manage symptoms and other stressors.
10) Myth: Depression is a sign of weakness
Fact: Depression has nothing to do with a person’s character.
Depression is a mental health condition that stems from a chemical imbalance and not from a defect in
character. A person does not choose to become depressed. Depression is only viewed as a weakness
due to the stigma that society has placed on it, and has nothing to do with a person’s mental, emotional
or physical strength.
11) Myth: It’s all in your head
Fact: Depression is a legitimate mental health condition.
Depression is a real mental health disorder stemming from biological, emotional and environmental
factors. There are many physical symptoms of depression, including disrupted sleeping patterns, fatigue,
aches and pains. Someone who is depressed isn’t simply imagining their symptoms and cannot quickly
resolve them.
12) Myth: You can just snap out of it
Fact: Depression needs to be addressed with professional care.
Getting help for depression is critical to avoid negative consequences. Treatment can allow a person to
restore happiness, recapture their lives and return to normal levels of functioning. Depression is beyond
a person’s control and directed by larger biological, psychological and social factors. Developing
depression is not a choice, and, often, mental health treatment is the only way to pull oneself out of it.

9. With quality care, depression is treatable. It all starts with a call. If you or a loved one is living with co-
occurring depression and substance use disorder, reach out to The Recovery Village today to discuss
treatment options.
4.0 When Counseling for Depression Is Necessary
We can feel multiple emotions in a day, varying from happiness to sadness, anger to disgust. And it is
something very natural to feel those emotions in a day to day life. But what if you feel one emotion is
overpowering the other emotions, and more often it is
1. A feeling of intense sadness,
2. Hopelessness,
3. Anxiety,
4. Fatigue,
5. Loss of interest in activities,
6. Changes in sleep and appetite.
7. Suicidal thoughts.
If these feelings are persistent for two weeks for more with little or no let-up, depression is diagnosed.
Depression is not just an emotional state but it is a condition impacting mind and body simultaneously
impacting your social life and professional life. A negative event or a build of negative emotions or stress
could lead to depression and sometimes it is more to do with biological condition, not having control of
the level of chemicals in their brain that is contributing to the depressive symptoms.

10. Depression is a condition, and something not to be ashamed of, it is curable, you just need to seek help.
The first step towards dealing with depression is to recognize the feelings of persistent sadness, that is
impacting your work and relationships and you see yourself struggling in your life as a result of feeling
hopelessness, worthlessness. When you notice these changes take help from, mental health
professionals, to get diagnosed.
Severe depression is treated with psychotherapy used by the counselors along with the medications.
Mild and moderate depression can be cured with counseling. Many doubts derive when we think of how
counseling will help and how effective it is. To clear some of them, giving an idea of what you can expect
from a counseling session.
• A counselor will help you identify the negative depressive thinking pattern so that you can engage less
in these patterns and think more realistically.
• A counselor can help you to identify unhealthy methods of trying to deal with your symptoms such as
isolation or use of drugs or alcohol and help you to make positive changes in these areas.
• A counselor will help to identify the healthy activities that will help you keep your mood positive.
• Depression impacts a person’s focus and concentration makes it difficult to see problems realistically,
lowers energy levels, and is so overwhelming in itself that other things are often ignored. A counselor
can help you to effectively use problem-solving thinking during this difficult time.
• A counselor can help you identify your warning signs of depression so that you can recognize them
earlier in the future, and help you to put a health plan in place that can decrease the chance of another
depressive episode.
• A counselor can help teach some more positive, healthy methods of handling negative thoughts,
emotions, and stressors.

11. If you have a will to get recover surely online counseling is the best option for you, it not only helps you
identify certain triggers and the ways to handle it but also helps you become more self-sufficient to
handle situations in a healthier way. If you need help with the depression BetterLYF is always there for
you.
5.0 Conclusion
Depending on the severity and pattern of depressive episodes over time, health-care providers may
offer psychological treatments such as behavioural activation, cognitive behavioural therapy and
interpersonal psychotherapy, and/or antidepressant medication such as selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Different medications are used for bipolar
disorder. Health-care providers should keep in mind the possible adverse effects associated with
antidepressant medication, the ability to deliver either intervention (in terms of expertise, and/or
treatment availability), and individual preferences. Different psychological treatment formats for
consideration include individual and/or group face-to-face psychological treatments delivered by
professionals and supervised lay therapists. Antidepressants are not the first line of treatment for mild
depression. They should not be used for treating depression in children and are not the first line of
treatment in adolescents, among whom they should be used with extra caution.
References:
Updated on 02/26/20 |By Megan Hull | Reviewed By Tracy Smith, LPC, NCC, ACS |
therecoveryvillage.com | 12 Common Myths About Depression | Retrieved on 30.09.2021
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/depression/related/depression-myths/
Betterlyf | betterlyf.com| When Counseling for Depression Is Necessary| Retrieved on 30.09.2021
https://www.betterlyf.com/articles/depression/when-counseling-for-depression-is-necessary/
13 September 2021| who.int | Depression | Retrieved on 30.09.2021
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
2 Aug 2021 | What is Depression and How Can Depression Counselling Helps?|
lifewellnessjoy.weebly.com | Retrieved on 30.09.2021
https://lifewellnessjoy.weebly.com/blog/what-is-depression-and-how-can-depression-counselling-helps