Myth: Depression is not a real medical illness.
Clinical depression is a serious medical condition caused by a chemical imbalence in the brain. It affects not only an individual’s mood and thoughts, but also the individual’s body.
Myth: There’s nothing that can be done about depression.
Depression is treatable and more than 80 percent of people with depressive disorders improve with treatment. The first step to finding effective treatment is to visit your doctor who can then refer you to a mental health specialist.
Myth: Im just feeling down and thats is just a normal part of life.
Everyone feels down from time to time. This should only last a day or two whilst
depression can last for weeks, months or even years.
Myth: People who think they have depression are just feeling sorry for themselves.
Some very prominent people have suffered from a depressive disorder including Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale, Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and Michelangelo.
Myth: Depression will go away by itself.
For extremely fortunate people, depression may go away by itself whilst in others it can hang on for months, years or indefinitely if not treated. With the correct treatment depression can often be lifted in 8 to 12 weeks or less.
Myth: You can will depression away. If you can’t, then you’re weak.
Depression cannot be willed away any more than heart disease or diabetes can. Given how much stigma is still attached to mental illness, seeking help for depression is an act of courage and strength not weakness on your part.
Myth: You can inherit depression if someone in your family suffers from it.
In the same way that you can be genetically predisposed to high blood pressure or
diabetes, you can alsobe genetically predisposed to depression. However, just because somebody in your family may suffer from depression that doesnt mean that you will automatically suffer from it too.
Don't cover up how you are feeling with a fake smile
Visit your doctor to discuss symptoms, ask for a referral to a mental health specialist
