**Mental illness (depression) can be difficult to explain. However, we shouldn’t ignore mental illness but understand it as we do for other diseases like cancer.
For you to understand depression easier, I’ll illustrate it with the Big Black Bunny.
The Big Black Bunny (depression) had always been with Evan like a pet rabbit. It would occasionally grow bigger when Evan felt emotionally and mentally burdened by its weight.**
Depression isn’t the simplest illness to explain, even more so when there are always misunderstandings going around about it. So let’s keep it simple (I’ll try!) and debunk these common myths about depression.
1. "It's not a real illness" - MYTH
Symptoms of depression can be difficult to recognise, and there are no “one size fits all” treatments to depression.
However, this doesn’t mean that depression is not an illness. Depression is classified as a mental illness that can affect brain activity in critical memory and reasoning areas.
A published study also showed that depression can affect the brain area that is responsible for creating new memories, which leads to a loss of emotional and behavioural function.
2. "Depression is the same as sadness" - MYTH
Simply put, it’s not.
Ever heard yourself saying how “depressing” it is to be doing assignments, or during cold weathers?
Depression is not a “feeling” that can come and go at any time - it’s a mental illness. Moreover, patients who have depression don’t usually look sad all the time!
I remembered how Evan’s boss was puzzled at why he didn’t look happy even after being offered a job - he looked sad even though he wasn’t.
I’ve written a story with a small guide on determining Are You Sad or Depressed? Check it out here!
3. "Real men don’t get depression" - MYTH
This is a common misunderstanding due to the stereotypically less volatile emotional stature of men.
Studies show that women are twice as likely to get depression than men, but that doesn’t mean that men don’t get depression at all.
Men usually express depression differently than women, and are less likely to talk about it. But in any case, depression in men is indeed possible and very “real”.
Evan was also very quiet about it, before Lisa spent nights talking to him! Read more about this story here.
4. "All depressions are the same" - MYTH
As a mental illness, symptoms of depression are always difficult to define or diagnose. But we should be aware that not all people with depression are suffering from the same problems.
Some of the commonly known depressions are:
- Major depression disorder (MDD): bad moods, low self-esteem, loss of interest in hobbies, lack of energy, physical pain without causes, suicidal thoughts.
- Dysthymia: A continuous long-term or chronic form of depression that could last for at least 2 years.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): A type of depression that occurs relating to changes in weather seasons
- Postpartum Depression (PPD): Also known as postnatal depression, PPD usually occurs around childbirth period among new mothers, also among fathers.
Did you know that there are changes to your body after giving birth? See the 5 Changes To Your Body After Giving Birth here.
There are still a lot of other depressions of different variations, best professionally diagnosed by a specialist doctor.
5. "People always feel depressed because of something" - MYTH
Sometimes, there can be no reasons at all as to why a person feels depressed. When the Big Black Bunny comes to Evan, it just come out of nowhere. The Big Black Bunny just appears whenever or wherever it wants. Emotions of a depressed person are as fragile as shattered diamonds.
There are, though, many triggers of depression. Some of the commonly known ones are traumatic past experiences, loss of loved ones, or financial difficulties. However, these life events shouldn’t be solely blamed for depression.
There may not be a concrete reason for depression, and even the person him or herself can find pointing out any specific cause difficult.
6. "Just take Antidepressants Pills and You'll Recover" - MYTH
BOTH medications and therapies are sometimes needed to help patients deal with depression better.
Many trials or examinations are needed by doctors to determine the right medical treatment. In other words, the medications prescribed and medical treatments are customised for every individual patient.
Depression is not a medical condition that can be treated simply with medications. Sometimes antidepressant pills can help a patient feel better but for others, the depression may not go away.
So turns out depression may not be as complicated as you have thought, but it certainly isn’t as simple as being sad too! What are the other misunderstandings about depression you’ve come across before? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
Juliet's Reminder: Depression is a mental illness and it is best to be diagnosed by a specialist doctor. You can always help your loved ones to find a psychiatric clinic near you here.
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