Depression is a mental illness that affects roughly 4 million adults in the United States, and that is just accounting for the adults that are able to go to a psychiatrist and get properly diagnosed. With so many people suffering from it, you would think that people would understand and have a good amount knowledge of it, but unfortunately, that's not the world we live in. Here are some common myths and stereotypes society forces on people.
1. Depression equals sadness.
You wanna know why I am repeating this from earlier in the article? Because it is important and apparently so difficult for people to understand. Depression can take on the form of anything including sadness, fatigue, numbness, anger, insomnia, restlessness, undereating, overeating, loss of interest, etc. With so many things how in the heck do people still come at me with the, "Well you don't look sad so I guess you aren't depressed." (Please read that in a very annoying voice).
2. Your life has to suck for you to have depression.
No, it doesn't. That's the thing with mental illnesses, they are inanimate chemical imbalances that don't stop to check if you fit the right social markers before taking over. Depression is independent of wealth, social life, education level, traumatic events, fitness level, etc. While some of these things do influence depression, they are not the root cause of it.
3. People with depression can't be high functioning
I have depression. I am also a college student who does quite a few extracurriculars on top of trying to maintain some form of social life. For some reason, people get it into their heads that depression has to be a debilitating disease or it doesn't count. Now for some people, it does make it impossible for them to get out of bed, but that is an idea that society needs to stop forcing on everyone with depression.
4. You can't talk about depression
You can and probably should have at least one person that you can talk to about your depression. We all need at least one person to lean on every once in a while. There shouldn't be a stigma around mental illness because that leads to people not wanting to seek out help when they need it.
5. All depressed people cut themselves
Some depressed people self-harm, and some non-depressed people also self-harm. There is not joke or sassiness in this paragraph because this is a behavior that requires serious attention. If you or a loved one self-harm please reach out and get help before it escalates into something irreversible. Please click here to learn more about where to go if you need help.
6. You have to be constantly suicidal
Some people do constantly struggle with suicidal thoughts and that is valid. Some people don't have a single suicidal thought and that is also valid. If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide please do not be afraid to call or go online to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1*800-279-8255.
7. You are the only one struggling
The fact of the matter is: Everyone is always struggling. Some people are just a lot better at hiding it. If you feel overwhelmed don't be afraid to reach out to someone.
8. Just take a pill and you'll be fine
Not everyone can be saved by an anti-depressant. Some people have to go through several prescriptions before finding the right one and some people never do find one. Pills are also hella expensive and our health care system is crap. Even if you can afford the medication, can you also afford all the therapy sessions it takes to get put on medication?
9. Depression is a sign of weakness
No, depression is a sign that your brain isn't producing enough dopamine and/or serotonin. Just because you are depressed doesn't mean you are a weak person, in fact, you are an incredibly strong person for being able to fight your depression.
10. Depression isn't an illness it is a phase of life
"Everybody has their down times" "You are being overdramatic" "Depression is a mood so all you have to do is think positive" These are things that I have been told when people found out I have depression. Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. Depression is a mental illness. Depression is an illness. Now while people with depression can have even more depressed states, when they are feeling better they still have depression.
