Depression is an illness that affects millions of people around the world. Despite how common it is, many aspects of depression are not well known. Understanding them can help reduce stigma and support those who live with it. Here are eight things you may not have known about depression.
1. It is not just sadness
One of the most common misconceptions is that depression is simply being sad. In reality it is more complex and includes a wide range of symptoms.
It can show up as a deep sense of emptiness, hopelessness, irritability, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in appetite and sleep, or difficulty concentrating. It can also cause physical symptoms such as aches and pains.
Unlike sadness, which is usually temporary, depression can last for weeks, months or longer. It is a condition that needs appropriate care and treatment.
2. It is not always triggered by a specific event
It is often assumed that depression must be set off by a traumatic event or by stressful situations, but that is not always the case.
Genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors can all play a role. Some people have a family predisposition and may develop depression for no apparent reason. Some medical conditions and medications can also contribute, so it is wise to be evaluated by a professional.
3. It can affect anyone
There is a belief that certain people are more prone to depression because of their personality or lifestyle, but depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, race, income, culture or education.
No matter how successful, happy or stable someone appears from the outside, anyone can be affected. Because of stigma, many people do not seek help because they believe they “shouldn’t” feel depressed given their favorable circumstances.
4. It can be “invisible”
Sometimes people with depression look fine or even happy to others, which makes it hard to understand what they are going through.
Many learn to hide their symptoms and keep functioning in daily life, which leads to the mistaken idea that they are okay. Someone can seem to have everything under control while carrying an inner pain that others cannot see. If you are worried about someone, ask them kindly how they are really doing and listen without judging.
5. It is not cured simply by “thinking positive”
A common piece of advice is to tell a depressed person to think positive or cheer up, but depression is not resolved by a change of attitude.
It is a health condition that often requires professional treatment. Telling someone to “be positive” can minimize what they are going through and leave them feeling misunderstood. It is also not a lack of faith or of character. Prayer and the support of a faith community can accompany a person, but they do not replace professional care.
6. It can affect memory and concentration
Besides mood, depression can affect the ability to think. Many people have trouble concentrating, making decisions and remembering things, which can affect work, study and daily activities.
This symptom, sometimes called “mental fog,” can be frustrating and make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Recognizing it can help you seek the right treatment.
7. Treatment can be a long process
Treating depression is not always quick or simple. It can take time and adjustments to find what works for each person.
Supported options include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, and, in some cases, medication. Not everyone responds the same way: what helps one person may not help another. Medications usually take several weeks to work. The decision to start, change or stop a medication belongs to the person who prescribes it; do not make it on your own.
Be patient and work with mental health professionals to adjust the plan as needed. Do not give up too soon.
8. It is treatable
As debilitating as it can be, depression is treatable, and many people improve with the right treatment. There are no guarantees for anyone, but asking for help is the first step. There are several options, and a professional can recommend the one that fits each case best.
Seeking support, whether in therapy, in support groups or from friends and family, can make a big difference.
If you have thoughts of death or of hurting yourself, or someone close to you does, this is an emergency: seek help right away, as shown below.
Is there someone in your life, or perhaps you yourself, who would be helped today by an honest question: “How are you, really?”
Would you like to talk with a professional? Call (407) 559-7093 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern) or find professional help here. For general questions that are not an emergency, write to drduany@zodugroup.com. Please do not send health information by email.
If you are in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself, do not wait. Call or text 988 (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day, free and confidential). If there is immediate danger, call 911.
This article is for education only. It does not offer diagnosis or personal advice, does not replace evaluation or treatment by a health professional, and reading it or writing to us through this site does not create a therapeutic or pastoral counseling relationship. This site is not an emergency service and is not monitored continuously: do not send health information through comments or public forms. The author is a licensed psychotherapist and pastor, and is part of ZODU.
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Depression”: nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression.
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