Made up Illnesses to take your $$$$.

Myths and Misconceptions about Depression

In spite of depression being a common illness, many myths and misconceptions are associated with it. Partly, the stigma attached to mental disorders, including depression, is responsible for some of these misconceptions. Such a stigma prejudices the public against people with depression. Attitudes like ’they are unpredictable; they talk and express ideas in a weird manner; they are themselves to blame; they will not recover or improve even if treated’, are still widely prevalent. Also, there is inadequate understanding among general practitioners and primary health care physicians regarding appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression. For these reasons, a large number of persons suffering from depression do not seek help for treatment.

Myth: Depression is a problem of the western industrialized world and not of developing countries.

Fact: Depression affects all people in all cultures across the world. However, in some countries ‘sadness’, particularly in old age, is considered ‘normal’ and not a disease to be treated by a doctor.

Myth: Depression is due to the influence of witchcraft, magic or sorcery.

Fact: Depression is like any other medical illness. It is caused by the interaction of biological and environmental influences, and manifests in psychological and physical symptoms.

Myth: Even if depression is an illness, what can we do about it? We cannot treat it the way other diseases can be treated.

Fact: Depression is a treatable disorder. There are many drugs available even in developing countries which are effective and affordable.

Myth: Spending scarce resources for treating depression is wasteful expenditure when there are so many other communicable and noncommunicable diseases needing attention and which are still not under control in developing countries.

Fact: Depression causes considerable suffering among patients worldwide. The burden caused by psychiatric disorders has been underestimated in the past. At present, out of the 10 leading causes of suffering worldwide, five are psychiatric conditions, including depression. By 2020, depression will become the second largest cause of suffering -- next only to heart disease.

Myth: There are not enough, and there never will be enough trained psychiatrists in developing countries to look after all the cases of depression. The situation is hopeless and will never improve.

Fact: The number of psychiatrists is gradually increasing in the developing countries. Moreover, all cases of depression do not have to be treated by psychiatrists. General practitioners and primary health care physicians can satisfactorily treat this illness with some training.

Myth: Depression is one’s own creation.

Fact: This is completely false. The sufferers cannot be blamed for the illness.

Myth: Today’s competitive world predisposes a person to depression.

Fact: Yes, the world today is very competitive. This may lead to some anxiety and business loss can lead to a person being temporarily sad. However, a person should be able to handle such situations in daily life.

Myth: If a person is depressed, there has to be an external factor bothering him.

Fact: External factors are not always necessary to make a person depressed. It is now known that chemical changes in the brain can lead to depression without any external precipitating factor.

Myth: Once depressed, a person remains depressed throughout his/her life.

Fact: In most cases, depression lasts for a limited period. Adequate treatment leads to complete resolution of the symptoms and the person can return to a normal state of activity and health.

Myth: There is no need to go to a medical doctor for treatment. One can cure depression by will power, a holiday, or at times by taking a peg or two of alcohol to lift one’s spirits.

Fact: Many communities continue to believe in such home remedies. Will power cannot cure depression. A depressed person experiencing lack of pleasure in his surroundings will not enjoy his holidays either. Alcohol may worsen the depression. Depression should be treated with prescribed medicines and social support of the family and community.

Myth: Drugs used for treating depressions are addictive.

Fact: Drugs used for treating depression are not addictive or habit forming. When depression is in remission, the drugs can be slowly tapered off and stopped.

Myth: When a depressed person expresses suicidal ideas, he does not mean to act upon them.

Fact: Suicide is a major risk during the course of depression. The individual usually gives an indication of his suicidal intention before attempting suicide and this must be taken very seriously.

Myth: If an individual is suspected to be harbouring suicidal ideas, one should not talk about depression, death or suicide.

Fact: If the discussion about suicide is done sympathetically and tactfully, it gives an opportunity to the individual to express his/her ideas and feelings clearly and to receive appropriate care. In most cases, this prevents suicide.

Myth: A depressed person should be in a sheltered, protected environment for the rest of his/her life.

Fact: Once treated successfully, the person returns to his/her normal self, and can resume all personal, social and occupational activities.

Myth: If you have everything in life, all material comforts, you cannot suffer from depression.

Fact: Though low socioeconomic status may be a contributing factor for depression, it can affect people across all socioeconomic levels. Many rich and famous people have been known to have suffered from depression.