August 12, 2014

The Myths and Facts about Depression

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

Everyone feels sad from time to time; It’s a human reaction to stress, loss, relationship problems, and lots of other normal life circumstances. Depression does not fall into that category. When someone is truly depressed, it’s not the same form of sadness. Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act on a regular basis. In severe cases, it leads to suicide – 15% of people who are clinically depressed die by suicide. In light of Robin Williams’ tragic death by suicide, it’s important to know that he is far from the only one who has suffered from this disease. It’s also important to shed some light on the situation. Depression is very common, and it can end tragically, as we have seen.

1. Depression doesn’t judge based on race, gender, age, or social position.

Sometimes you’ll hear things like, “But how can you be depressed, you are so rich/attractive/young, etc”. That does not matter – anyone can become depressed. It’s important to avoid saying anything along those lines to someone who is depressed. It will only contribute to feelings of overwhelming guilt, which happens a lot among those who suffer from this condition. Second clinical trial on the use of BioCurcumin in people with depression It’s a chemical imbalance that co-exists with panic attacks, compulsive thoughts and habits, social phobia, and any number of other issues. It doesn’t matter if someone is male or female, 75 or 25, black, white, purple, green, or anything else – anyone can fall victim, and if you have a friend who’s battling and struggling, it’s important to know that they didn’t choose it, they are not crazy, they are sick and they can get better.

2. Treatment and medication CAN help.

The public often dismisses therapy, counseling and anti-depressant medications as useless and ineffective. This is false. In fact, 80% of people that seek treatment for this condition are treated successfully. There are more cases of depression today because scientists have gotten better at identifying the chemical reasons and doctors have gotten better at diagnosing it. Anti-depressants won’t fix the problem, but they will help stabilize the mind so they can fix the problems themselves. Don’t be ashamed to seek help. It could save your life. Can Fish Oil Capsules Help in Major Depression?

3. It can lead to substance abuse. Substance abuse can also lead to depression.

These two conditions are very closely related, and it often becomes a “chicken or egg” situation that might be hard to figure out. Substance abuse can severely alter your brain chemistry to the point where depression, anxiety and other mental health problems become unavoidable. On the other hand, this condition can make feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness and despair so overwhelming that someone feels the only way they can escape is through drugs. Certain drugs including benzodiazipines, beta-blockers, statins, opiates, and anticonvulsants can all produce chemical changes that result in depression. In treatment, it might be hard to figure out if the depression or the substance abuse came first. If you believe you are depressed, it’s crucially important to avoid self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.

4. It is not a sign of mental weakness.

There is a lot of social stigma that surrounds the condition, and the term “depressed” is often referred to in conjunction with weakness. This is not true. True depression causes profound changes in the brain and the body. It’s important that we as a society begin to view depression as less of a mental defect and more of a true illness, because that is what it is. This condition manifests in many more places than just the brain – those who suffer are likely to feel physical pain, including stabbing pain in the chest and joint and/or muscle pain. It starts in your head, yes, but when you’re clinically depressed, it’s not just mental. New Study: Cocoa Polyphenols Improve Energy, Depression & Anxiety

5. Depressed people are not always traditionally “sad”.

This condition brings on a whole lot of unpleasant feelings, and it’s not always characterized by tears and misery. Many people who are depressed feel overwhelmingly guilty, worthless, hopeless, and commonly, numb. Sometimes depression is characterized by feeling nothing at all. Someone who is happy when they are with their friends can still be suffering from depression. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, get help now. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK to get help for yourself or a friend. For more information about depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

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