Myths and Facts About Depression

Overview

People's ideas about depression have changed over the years. New technology and new research show that depression is a disease, just like asthma or heart failure.

Here are some myths and facts about depression.

Myths and facts about depression
Myth	Fact
"Depression isn't real." "It's something in your head." "It's being lazy."	Depression is a mental illness. Experts believe that certain brain chemicals go out of balance to cause the disease. No single thing causes this. Many things, including your genes, stressful events, illness, and medicines, can cause the imbalance.
"Depression always will get better by itself." "You usually can wait it out." "Treatment doesn't really work." “You will get over it.”	Recovery from depression is expected with treatment. Most people with depression can be treated, and they return to their work and home routines. Without treatment, depression can last for months or even years.
"Children cannot get depression."	Depression can develop in any age group, ethnic group, economic group, and gender.
"Depression only happens if something bad happens to you. For example, you only get it after a bad divorce or losing your job."	Depression may start after something bad happens, but other things also may trigger it. Medicines, hormone problems, childbirth, and using alcohol and drugs all can trigger depression. Sometimes it happens for no clear reason.
"If you can't get over depression, you're weak."	Depression is a disease. It is a problem with your brain chemistry, not your character. You can't force yourself to get over it any more than you can make asthma or a heart attack go away.
"Only people who are very depressed or who think about suicide need medicine."	Many people with depression are helped by medicine. Medicine can improve or get rid of the symptoms of depression.