Nine myths about depression that you have to stop believing

The depression is a very common disease that many people have not understood. Like many other diseases mental, it carries the stigma of being considered a real disease, be seen as a form of self – pity, laziness or madness.

So that you do not continue to believe in false myths about this disease, here are some of the most common , explained.

1. “Depression is not a real disease”

Many people believe that depression is simply sadness , laziness or weakness of character.

This is not true. Depression is a disease of the brain: neurologists believe that its origin is in an imbalance of certain substances in the brain , which affect some of its processes and that results in depression.

There is not a single cause of this imbalance, but rather it is a combination of genetic factors, stressful events in our lives, bad habits and previous illnesses.

2. “Depression is cured alone”

“The treatment for depression does not work, it’s best to wait and let it heal itself.”

Some people go through depression on their own, but for most people, medication is an indispensable aid, with which they can resume their work and routines in a few weeks. Without treatment, depression can last for months or even years .

3. “Children do not get depressed”

In fact, depression can affect any population group regardless of age, sex or socioeconomic status, and that includes children .

It is not easy to detect depression in children, since they themselves do not always know how to express what they feel, but if they are sad and decayed permanently for long periods of time, and that begins to interfere with their normal activities , and even with their learning and development, we can face a case of childhood depression and it may be a good idea to consult with a specialist.

4. “Men do not get depressed”

Women suffer from depression more than men , but that does not mean that depression can not affect them as well. One of the problems that exists in this regard is that depression in men can go unnoticed because they usually tend to talk less about how they feel, and may end up managing the disease on their own, with the risk of falling into dangerous behavior , like the consumption of alcohol or drugs.

5. “Depression only comes if something bad happens to you”

“Depression happens when you get thrown out of work or you have a difficult divorce, otherwise there are no reasons.”

It is true that in many cases of depression there are external stressors , that is, when something bad happens to us, but there are other things that can lead us to depression: medications, hormonal problems, the birth of a child or the use of alcohol and drugs. , among other. In some cases, this occurs without any specific reason .

6. “You will not heal if you do not try”

“You have to do your part, you will never get out of a depression if you do not try.”

Once again: depression is a disease related to the chemistry of the brain, and as such, to be cured is not worth trying or wanting , just as the willpower to cure pneumonia or diabetes is not enough.

In fact, to insist on this kind of comments supposes blaming the patient for his illness, so not only is it not true, it is also harmful .

7. “You do not need to go to the doctor / medication, you’re not that bad”

The idea that only in desperate situations it is necessary to go to the doctor is an obstacle in the treatment of many mental illnesses, which could be treated much better and have a better prognosis if they started their treatment much earlier , when the symptoms have not yet worsened and the quality of life of the patient has not suffered so much.

8. “The medication is sufficient”

Many people diagnosed with depression believe that it is enough to take the prescribed medication to be cured. The medication intervenes by regulating the chemical mismatch in the brain and thus treating the biochemical basis of depression.

But in many cases this may not be enough, and the doctor will also prescribe psychotherapy and changes in lifestyle ( get away from junk food and exercise , among others) to complete the treatment and thus optimize recovery. It is important to follow all the doctor’s instructions in this regard.

9. “If your parents suffer from depression, you will too”

If there is a history of depression in your family, you have a higher risk of suffering as well, according to some studies .

But neither should we be alarmed, because it is not yet clear how important the genetic factor is in the development of depression. If you are concerned about your family’s risk of developing this disease, focus on controlling the factors that are within your reach , such as avoiding alcohol and drug abuse.

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