It goes without saying that 2020 has been a year like no other. The pandemic has emerged not only as a threat to physical health, but it has also negatively impacted mental health for millions of people. Depression, suicide risk, and substance abuse have all become more significant problems since the pandemic started. Factors such as unemployment and social isolation contribute to feelings of depression and hopelessness. Perhaps something good that can come from all that has transpired will be greater awareness of mental health challenges and the importance of seeking effective interventions and support for those who suffer.
Depression, however, has always been a chronic struggle for millions of people: long before the stresses of the pandemic, depression has impacted people’s ability to go to school, work, and have healthy relationships. Misunderstandings about depression and inaccurate information about its causes and treatments have also been around for a while. The purpose of this article is to dispel some of the myths about depression by providing information is based on research studying depression and its effective treatment. An additional goal is to increase empathy from those who do not experience depression, so they can better understand the struggles of their loved ones and be available to support them.
Below, I list some common misconceptions about depression and explain the realities of the condition:
Depression is a state of mind: We all have bad days, bad moods, and find ourselves in stressful circumstances. But this is not depression. Depression is a persistent set of symptoms that affect a person’s ability to sleep, eat, concentrate, handle stress, regulate their emotions, and interact in healthy relationships. People experience episodes of depression that last up to two weeks, and they may have chronic episodes lasting six months or longer that may meet criteria for major depressive disorder. Thus, depression involves much more than just feeling down or having a bad day.
Smiling will make it better: some people say, “smile and the world smiles with you.” Perhaps it is true that seeing someone smile can spread a temporary moment of cheer. For those with depression, however, it’s important to remember that it’s more complicated. Simple behaviors such as smiling do not result in happiness or remove the complexity of problems that the person is experiencing. It is true, though, that expressing gratitude for things one has to be grateful for can be helpful as part of a larger picture. Gratitude helps us focus on the present, which is one strategy that mental health professionals use in mindfulness and cognitive behavior therapy. That said, leave it to professionals to help depressed persons change their focus. Depressed individuals feel very misunderstood when those who do not share their experience give this kind of advice.
Depressed people are selfish: those who have family members or friends who struggle with depression can certainly feel left out and ignored. It can often be hard to be with them because they focus on how they are feeling, and it feels selfish. While it is true that persons with depression focus quite a bit on their internal thoughts and feelings, this isn’t intentional. It’s not selfishness in the way that we typically think. In contrast, they feel insecure, they lack self-confidence, and they often feel like they have nothing of significance to contribute.
They could talk themselves out of feeling depressed if they tried: depression isn’t only about emotions. Thought processes become challenged as well, including difficulty focusing and making even the smallest of decisions. Their brains often repeat negative thought patterns, making it difficult for people with depression to change what they are thinking. It is possible to change the thought patterns over time, with the right kind of professional help. But it’s not as simple as making the decision to feel better. This is especially true when the depression goes untreated for an extended period of time. The longer that negative thought patterns continue to cycle, the harder it is for people to change them.
The experience of depression is different for everyone who struggles with it. The research is clear that millions of people have been effectively treated with a combination of medication and therapy, and sometimes with psychotherapy alone. Social support is also critical, and those without friends and family to provide emotional support can have a bigger battle to fight. Some people struggle with depression throughout their lives, and stress can definitely trigger depression in those who are at risk. Some individuals do not experience relief from depression from traditional treatment approaches; therefore, it’s important to remember that because someone has sought treatment doesn’t mean that their depression can be cured. Rather than giving advice without knowing their complete circumstances, it’s best to just ask those you know who struggle with depression how you can best support them. If they aren’t sure, then reassure them that you will be there for them as best you can. Letting them know that you care about them and that you don’t pretend to know their struggles can be more helpful than trying to solve their problems. Empathy and active listening are the best ways to support those who are struggling with any mental health challenge.
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